BCM College students visit Caritas India for an enriching study experience

Thirty students and two faculty members from the Department of Social Work, BCM College, Kottayam, visited the Caritas India head office in New Delhi on 23 October 2025 for a one-day study tour designed to deepen their understanding of social development and humanitarian work. The visit provided an opportunity for students to interact with Caritas India’s management and program leads and to learn how values, professionalism, and compassion shape the organisation’s national impact.

The sessions opened with an introduction by Ms. Leena Abraham, Associate from Human Resources department, who walked the group through Caritas India’s legacy in the social sector. She explained the organisation’s vision, mission, and values, which form the backbone of its work across India. She elaborated on Caritas India’s major program areas, including humanitarian aid and disaster risk reduction, climate adaptive agriculture and food sovereignty, livelihood promotion, health and nutrition, anti-human trafficking, migration, child rights, and peace building. Each thematic area, she emphasised, reflects Caritas India’s core principles of compassion, participation, and empowerment.

Mr. Navneet Yadav, Lead for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Risk Reduction, followed with an engaging session on strengthening community preparedness and building local capacity to reduce disaster risks. He shared real-world examples from Caritas India’s humanitarian efforts, highlighting how communities in vulnerable regions are trained to respond effectively during crises.

Dr. Jaison Varghese, Lead for Resource Mobilization, spoke about partnership building and sustainability within the non-profit ecosystem. He discussed the evolving funding landscape and the growing importance of strengthening local resource bases. He introduced the students to Caritas India’s approach to fundraising, not merely as a financial exercise but as a relationship-building process rooted in trust and shared purpose. Dr. Jaison also shared insights on the Chetna Campaign, an initiative that advocates for and supports persons with disabilities, one of the most neglected groups in society. This year, the campaign has been expanding its community sensitisation efforts and exploring partnerships to create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities.

A special highlight of the visit was a musical performance by Mr. Ayush Jena, a visually impaired volunteer supporting the Chetna Campaign. His soulful guitar performance and heartfelt message to never give up, no matter the challenge, left the students deeply inspired.

Fr. R. Jesudass, Executive Director of Caritas India, commended the students for their commitment to social development. He urged them to practice compassion in their work, reminding them that social workers are the medicine that heals society’s wounds. Fr. M. Julian Fernando, Administrator of Caritas India, encouraged the students to pursue their calling with dedication and wished them success in their future endeavours.

The exposure visit offered BCM College students a firsthand look at how a national organisation functions with purpose, professionalism, and empathy. It left them inspired to uphold the spirit of service and contribute meaningfully to building a more just and compassionate society.