Caritas Australia members visited the Deepti Foundation (DF) at Dilshad Garden, New Delhi, on March 2, 2023 and interacted with HIV-positive and afflicted slum residents under the Gram Nirman Programme.

It is crucial to note that, with assistance from Caritas Australia, Caritas India and the Deepti Foundation have been helping families affected by HIV in Delhi’s 18 urban slums for more than ten years.

Mr. Robert Fitzgerald, Chairperson of Caritas Australia, Mr. Richard Francis Landels, Advancement Director of Caritas Australia, and Mr. Chanthea Nou, Asia Manager, along with Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India, facilitated the interaction process. The Deepti Foundation’s extraordinary journey with the socially, economically, and psychologically disadvantaged segment of the community was revealed to the team during a conversation with Fr. Santosh MST, Director of the Deepti Foundation. The organisation is also engaged with HIV-positive and affected people, including children, women, and transgender people, who shared their transformative experiences with the aid of Caritas India and the Deepti Foundation.

To highlight the lives of those living with HIV and the support provided by Caritas India and Caritas Australia, Mr. Anupam Ekka, Program Associate of Caritas India, screened a short documentary during the session. A sewing machine was given to the beneficiary as part of the programme to help her with her livelihood.

The Caritas Australia team has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian government for providing unrivalled assistance for HIV-positive people and promised to continue the support this worthy cause.

Fr. Santosh discussed the HIV component of Gram Nirman as well as the pre- and post-FCRA amendment scenarios in his opening remarks. Even though Caritas India is now carrying out the initiative directly, he explained how Deepti Foundation is providing support to the Gram Nirman team.

Fr. Jolly addressed the Gram Nirman field workers during the facilitating process about their prior experiences working with HIV-positive individuals and professional experiences. He also stated that Caritas India stands with them and would continue to cooperate and work for such an underprivileged community impacted by HIV to improve living conditions and foster mental change notwithstanding any differences.

Participants also share their challenges experienced during the lockdown and how Caritas India helped by providing dry rations, medications, and cooked food through the Deepti foundation. They owe them for the assistance provided, as nobody had helped them through their difficult times.

“We are always with you,” Chanthia, Asia Manager, commented in response to the effort and work that DF and Caritas India have undertaken. He talked about his experiences with transgender people while he was in Cambodia.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Robert Fitzgerald, Chair of Caritas Australia, expressed his appreciation for the work and his intention to keep the association going. He thanked everyone who participated and noted that Deepti Foundation and Caritas India have assisted many people in leading stable lives and improving their living situations.