 The KCA has always had a strong tradition & rich legacy of reaching out to others in a spirit of love & service. Our premises in Bandra was built with the charitable donations of many KCA members & well-wishers, and is a living testament to this legacy. The Social & Charitable sub-committee primarily focuses on addressing the following Aims & Objectives of the KCA (click here for further details): (3) To pursue social and charitable service generally and specially with a view to improving the moral, intellectual, economic and physical welfare of the members of the KCA and others by: a) taking necessary steps to secure for them better conditions of life | An associated Aim & Objective also being addressed by the Social & Charitable sub-committee, especially relevant in today's context: (2) To collect and study social facts and social problems and to promote civic and general culture. |
Member Activities >
Social & Charitable
Summary : Educational and Medical Financial Assistance
Being a charitable institution, reaching out to others and helping those in need is not just one of our key Aims and Objectives, but has also been a focus area for the KCA throughout its history. All charitable activities were earlier carried out under the banner of the 'St. Anthony's League' of the KCA, and we hope to revive this soon. Education and Medical Assistance (to institutions and individuals) are the two focus areas identified by KCA, Mumbai. A summary of the assistance given over the last two years is provided in the tables below:  We encourage our Members to let us know of deserving institutions or individuals who need assistance. Applications Forms are available at the KCA Administrative Office. |
Medical Assistance for Underpriviledged Children
 In April 2016, Mr. Adrian Correa and Mrs. Anne-Marie Rego of the Social and Charitable Sub-Committee visited the Talasari District, two hours away from Mumbai, where the Jesuit Priests and Canossian Sisters are valiantly striving to fill the educational and medical needs of the local Warli people. There are several villages in the District, but quite far from each other, as in between there are fields and forests. There are no proper roads, and travelling between the villages is an ordeal, more so in the monsoon. The people themselves are mostly very poor agriculturists, uneducated and being Adivasis, are for the most part ignored by the political set-up. The Jesuits and Canossians have been working there for the last 50 years, and have set up a school - Gyanmata Sadan, and a medical centre - Dayanand Hospital. As the local people are very poor, their diet and nutrition is almost non-existent, hence they are prone to various diseases. The Superior of the Dayanand Hospital, Sister Monica Mascarenhas, informed us there is a large number of patients, especially children, who come with quite severe diseases, and other health problems that need urgent medical attention. She added that several doctors offer their services for free to treat these children and operate on them, but financial assistance is necessary as medicines and other requirements such as x-rays, laboratory tests, etc., have to be paid for.  In keeping with the Aims and Objectives of the KCA: 2. To collect and study social facts and social problems; 3. To pursue social and charitable service: (c) providing for their medical relief; (d) organizing charity to relieve poverty and distress. The Social and Charitable Sub-Committee evaluated the case papers of 25 children requiring urgent surgery for congenital hernia, phimosis and hydrocele, and on behalf of the KCA presented the hospital with a cheque of Rs. 50,000 for their treatment and care. The hospital has sent its grateful thanks, and we at the KCA can be happy that we are able to reach out to those not as fortunate as we are. May we continue to be aware of the needs of the poor, and be willing to help out in whatever way we can. |
Launch of Educational & Medical Assistance Programmes
The Social & Charitable Sub-Committee is pleased to announce the launch of Educational & Medical Assistance for those in need. This initiative is another example of KCA's commitment to the less fortunate & reinforces the charitable nature of our institution. Application forms are available at the KCA office and can also be downloaded from the KCA website by clicking here A transparent process with guidelines & eligibility criteria have also been explained on the website. Filled-up application forms with supporting documents can be submitted to the KCA Administrative Office. |
Financial Assistance to Gnanmata Sadan Society
 Gnanmata Sadan Society, a Jesuit Educational Trust, runs 11 middle schools and 4 high schools for the Warli Tribals in Talasari and Dahanu Talukas near Mumbai serving about 8,000 Adivasi girls and boys. In the recent past, the enrollment in these schools has increased by approximately 2,000 students requiring the Sadan to redevelop and expand their infrastructure.  Adrian Correa and Anne-Marie Rego of the KCA Social and Charitable Sub-Committee visited the Sadan last summer to see the conditions and how we could help. Due to being in the very heavy rain belt, most of the buildings were in a bad condition and required immediate attention. However, funds from the government are few and far between and certainly not enough to meet the needs. Most of the Jesuit Schools send whatever charitable contributions they can to help this mission. Gnanmata Sadan Society is now constructing a new facility to house 12 classrooms and once this is ready, will pull down the old structure to make way for a new building to house the rest of the classrooms, a hall and other facilities. We at the KCA have made a contribution of Rs. 100,000 to support this noteworthy cause. We also take this opportunity to request our Members to contribute to Gnanmata Sadan Society either directly or through us. Funds were disbursed from the KCA Educational Assistance Fund which was launched in October 2016, post the ratification of the Accounts at the KCA AGM. |
Contribution to Our Lady's Home for Boys (Orphanage for Boys, Mumbai)
 Our Lady's Home, for the past 51 years, has cared for the orphaned, poor and destitute boys of all castes and creeds. What began in a shaky abandoned wooden structure is now a two storeyed building, thrice the size of the former Home. The Home has so far 'fathered' 1804 boys, and is the 'grandfather' to a few more, as many of those who have passed out are now married. Those naughty, untidy little boys are today by and large independent and responsible young men, holding good posts in well known companies, and government offices. Fr. Elias took us around the building so that we could see for ourselves the conditions they live and work in at the Home. They have a total of 150 orphans who are educated, fed, clothed and housed till they are able to manage on their own. They are encouraged to develop the best human values, and good character along with their studies and sports. They also have a beautiful little chapel in which the Catholic boys meet daily to attend Mass. The older boys are encouraged to mentor and guide the younger ones. An interesting new development is the lush terrace garden where the boys are taught various gardening skills such as hydroponics, composting, growing seedlings, etc., many of which are purchased by nurseries. The garden has fresh vegetables like tomatoes, lady's finger, brinjal, herbs like tulsi and ajwain, fruits like guava and banana, and the boys receive instructions on how to grow them, and care for them. This is a boon to those who would like to pursue agricultural interests.  We visited their dormitories, the classrooms, the kitchen, the dining rooms, the laundry, and the chapel. As the structure is now over 56 years old, it is in dire need of repairs. Several areas of the building and playground have been cordoned off due to the crumbling masonry. The Archdiocese depends on the generosity of all those who can donate, no matter how small the sum, to the repair and reconstruction fund, to ensure the safety of the children, and the continuation of this wonderful Home. In this Year of Mercy, while we give thanks for all that we have been blessed with, let us reach out with generous hearts to fulfill the Corporal Acts of Mercy...feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the orphaned. The Home has a webpage, which you can check out for further information, if you wish to donate in person - www.ourladyshome.com. |
Contribution to Sister Christobel's Trust, Mumbai (Medical Relief, Mumbai)
Sr. Christobel's Trust (Mother Teresa's Roses') is a registered Charitable Trust, working for the upliftment of the poor, rescuing homeless children and women from the streets, and providing for their medical treatment, food, clothing, shelter, etc., including free education for children up to Class XII. The
Social and Charitable Sub-Committee, in consultation with the Managing
Council of KCA, Mumbai, decided to make a contribution of Rs 50,000 to Sr. Christobel's Trust to enable them to provide for the care & medical treatment of homeless children. |
Contribution to Maharashtra Dayanand Society (Dayanand Hospital, Talasari)
Dayanand Hospital, works to improve and expand affordable health care and services for the tribal people, especially the poor and needy living below the poverty line in the rural and adjoining areas of Talasari, District Thane. Being the only hospital in the rural area of Talasari, it is facing financial constraints rendering them incapable of coping with the growing medical maintenance of the hospital. The
Social and Charitable Sub-Committee, in consultation with the Managing
Council of KCA, Mumbai, decided to make a contribution of Rs 100,000 (1
lac) to Dayanand Hospital to enable them to purchase necessary medical equipment to continue forward their mission to care for and provide medical assistance for the poor and deprived rural folks of Talasari with utmost dedication and compassion. |
Contribution to Handmaids of the Sacred Heart Society (Dilkush Special School, Mumbai)
 The school has 11 classes, which focus on academic and vocational skills. The number of students in each class differs according to abilities and age, and the focus of the class in terms of academic and vocational training. However, no two children will have the same skills or needs, so the school prepares individual programme's for each child. Each class is led by a special educator with a Diploma in Special Education - MR (Mental Retardation) recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Dilkush Special School's educational programmes are based on the following principles: 1. Functional Academics : basic reading, writing and math, and it's application to daily living. 2. Self-care Skills : personal hygiene and grooming. 3. Pre-vocational Skills : skills training in art and craft, cooking, needlework, and bead-work. 4. Extra-Curricular Activities : yoga, music, dance, sport, and drama. 5. Independence and Social Skills : ability to independently interact and communicate with others in different situations and contexts. The long-term aim of the school is to get as many children as possible mainstreamed, so the children are groomed to become as independent as possible. To further stimulate their minds and bodies, the children are taken on several outings to the beach, gardens, and other appropriate venues. A family that has a mentally handicapped child needs a lot of support because they have to first learn to deal with a future that has become unsure and complicated. Then they have to deal with a society that is not very accepting, and finally they have to cope with all the new challenges that having a handicapped child brings. In most developed countries, handicapped children are funded by their governments, but here all the responsibility is on the parents. This imposes an economic strain that many families feel is impossible to bear. The school which carries on activities for the children as they grow into adults requires support from corporate entities and generous individuals to help them do their best for their students. The school will be happy to accept any amount to help with the academic and transportation costs of the children. The KCA has contributed Rs. 50,000 to Dilkush Special School, and encourages its Members to help out with any amounts they can to make a difference to the lives of these children. |
Contribution to Eduljee Framjee Allbless Niramay Niketan (Leprosy and HIV Hospital, Mumbai)
 EFA Niramay Niketan, is a 130 year old institution, committed to the care and services of HIV / AIDS and leprosy patients, irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. The Social and Charitable Sub-Committee, in consultation with the Managing Council of KCA, Mumbai, decided to make a contribution of Rs 100,000 (1 lac) to EFA Niramay Niketan towards their continued commitment of humanitarian services for the care and services of HIV / AIDS and leprosy patients. The cheque was presented to EFA Niramay Niketan by Mrs. Clara Menezes (Vice President, KCA Managing Council), Mrs. Anne Marie Rego (Chairperson, Social and Charitable Sub-Committee), and Mr. Adrian Correa (Secretary, Social and Charitable Sub-Committee). |
Contribution to Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund
 In view of the unprecedented drought conditions in Maharashtra, the Managing Council of the KCA, in consultation with the Social & Charitable Committee decided to make a token contribution of Rs 100,000 (1 lakh) to the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Drought Relief Fund. With the increasing farmer suicides & desperate conditions of millions of people, right in our backyard in Maharashtra, we felt we should do our bit for our distressed brethren, in their hour of crisis. Inspired by the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "For it is in GIVING that we RECEIVE", let us move forward with generosity of heart and spirit, so that the KCA may be known for making a difference to as many lives as possible. |
1-10 of 11