The Syro Malankara Diocese of Gurgaon has launched the Lenten Campaign 2021 – Healthy Life, Healthy India at St Mary’s Syro-Malankara Church, Neb Sarai, Delhi on 14th March 2021.

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Caritas India through the Lenten campaign is making an attempt to uplift the most marginalised by uplifting the poor and helping the poor to fight against their adversities. This year, Caritas India is raising awareness to take a positive step towards a healthy life so a healthy nation can be created.

The campaign was launched by Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Bishop of Gurgaon. Fr. Aji, the Parish Priest in his homily focused on the Miracles Jesus performed during His public life. Giving a reference to the crippled women from the Bible, he insisted to have patience as the women who waited for 18 years to be healed and trusted God’s compassion. It is not necessary that God listens to our prayer and respond instantly and positively as per our needs always! God can create an opportunity to find us. He has unexpected blessings, and such blessings from God are the best life’s lessons.

As part of the Lenten Campaign launch, Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management practices were shared with the adolescent girls and children from the Non-Formal education centre of Prachodana, Diocese of Gurgaon.

Children were divided into Adolescent and younger children groups. A brief session for 16 adolescent girls (age between 11-16 years) helped in gaining knowledge and demystify the myths around Menstruation. Ms. Shimray along with Ms. Divya (CI Volunteer) facilitated the session on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. The group was made to discuss and interact on the importance of menstrual hygiene & management and the benefits of cotton cloth reusable pads which are environment friendly. As most of the girls have just gone through menstruation, they were inquisitive and wanting to interact and learn more about menstrual health and hygiene.  After the session, the girls were gifted with the Dignity kits consisting of 8 cotton cloth reusable pads, a liquid Dettol, soap and a mask.

The younger children had a different session on Child Rights with a special focus on the pillars of child Rights i.e. Right to Life, Survival, Development, Protection, Participation and Best Interest of the Child. After the session, the children performed singing and dancing.

The launch accompanied by food distribution under Caritas India’s Community Kitchen “Anand Bhoj”. It is a noble initiative of Caritas India and its employees to prevent vulnerable people from going hungry. Caritas Team and Volunteers prepared and distributed food packets to more than 70 children from the Non-Formal education centres and few packets were distributed to the street-connected children.

Caritas India also set up a kiosk to share the Lenten Campaign information through different IEC materials with the parishioners.