“Ashakiranam is not a project rather a movement led by compassion that consolidates on the good practices and solutions in addressing the issue of cancer with the support of volunteers”, said Fr. Paul Moonjely, the Director Designate of Caritas India while addressing the Caritas Bangladesh delegation that has come on an exposure visit to learn from Ashakiranam Programme in Kerala.  The delegation is on a 5 days experiential visit from February 13-17, 2018.

Fr.Paul said that it is very alarming to note that every year 240000 children are diagnosed with cancer and out of this 40000 children are from India alone. “We have to begin somewhere to bring in change”. Through volunteerism, we can bring in a change in preventing cancer through good food campaigns, support the affected through financial and palliative care through local resource based programmes.

Ashkiranam Care Campaign launched in  March 2014 has so far inspired 27000 volunteers with 8000 children volunteers who are part of Lavender Army. They are the crusaders who promote healthy lifestyle practices and diet habits.

Mr.Chayon Hubert, Manager, Disaster Management, Caritas Bangladesh shared with the volunteers that high treatment costs, lack of access to quality treatment and lack of awareness are the main reasons why cancer care is out of reach for millions of his country people. He added that the shrinking external resources and change in policies have made his organisation take a paradigm shift towards volunteerism which can play a pivotal role in bringing positive change in the society.

The delegation was really impressed when they listened to the testimonies of the cancer winners who have become active community volunteers. Ms. Annie George and Ms.Theresamma both of whom who have overcome breast cancer said that by changing food habits and lifestyle, we can enhance our lifespan.

Fresh vegetables, greens, and fruits from our own nutrition garden contribute to healthy living and also reduce wasteful expenditures on medicine.

Fr. Paul Cherupilly, Executive Director of Welfare Services Ernakulam (WSE) said that Ashakiranam campaign has given the direction for a scientific approach to address cancer issue. He explained how WSE has been successful in registering women under “Cancer Social Security Measures” and also enroll the affected with Regional Cancer Centre for treatment. Ms.Theresiamma Anthony said that her sheer willpower has helped her brave the disease. She appreciated the empathy shown by the WSE Ashakiranam volunteers. Fr.Peter said that if you want to address cancer issue, start respecting the nature, overcome selfishness and have a diet chart with slow food  (traditional food practices). As “Stress makes your body more hospitable to cancer” carry out simple physical exercises for preventing cancer.

The volunteers of Ernakulam Social Service Society explained how Non Formal Techniques (NFT) can be used as means for creating awareness among the public. Ms.Leena Joy led street theatre team highlighted the importance of consuming homemade food, proper waste management, protection of water bodies which are a source of life and relating one’s own life with nature and the creations.

The eleven-member delegation also participated in the volunteers gathering meet at Kannur wherein more than 300 volunteers representing students, SHGs, congregations, pious associations, educational and health institutions participated. KAIROS organised this diocesan level meet for the first time. Presided over by the Bishop of Kannur Diocese Most.Rev.Alex Vadakumthala, it was facilitated by Fr.Paul Moonjely, Mr.Rajesh (Rajya Sabha MP), and Ms.Divya, District Panchayat Vice President. Bishop said that we don’t want volunteer sisters to shed blood; we only want them to donate blood.

Arook Toppo, Program Officer, SWCD, Rajshahi said that the purpose of this exposure visit is to learn the X factor that motivates the volunteers and we learned that it is the social commitment and the desire based on one’s personal experience play a major role.

Joachim Gomes, Sylhet-Regional Director said that such type of exchange programmes help the organisations for mutual learning and help grow each other. The entire team is appreciative of the fund mobilisation strategies by the  Diocesan Societies so as to make this Cancer Campaign a people driven and sustaining one.

The exposure programme was organised by the Ashakiranam Programme Officers Ms.Siby, Amal Sebastian and Abeesh Anthony co-ordinated by Dr.John Arokiaraj, South Zone Manager and Mr.Rajesh Upadhyay, HoD Caritas India.