Project Proposal

“Those suffering from HIV/AIDS must be provided with complete care and show full respect and be given every possible physical, moral and spiritual assistance and indeed treated in a way worthy of Christ himself”

John Paul II Care Center seeks assistance from Donors and Benefactors to assist our brethren who are HIV/AIDS patients, suffering physically and mentally and also those  who suffer of cancer and psychic disturbances. We concentrate more on those who have no one to take care of and are from poor economic backgrounds.

The General Synaxis of the Sisters of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel has decided to concentrate more on the current needs of the time. To be specific and precise, the members of the general chapter have found that the service of the sisters is to be made available to the suffering community of AIDS victims. The number of the HIV Positive Cases reported is increasing day by day and a good number is there unreported.

“Social realities like poverty, ignorance, gender discrimination and inequality are concerns that surround the spread of the virus. The stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and the refusal to serve them….., the gradual deterioration in moral and human values, disregard for basic human dignity, especially when a person is sick and the denial of their human rights, all need to be addressed with urgency ”.-(HIV/AIDS policy of the Catholic Church in india).

Prompted Situation:

The  Southern most tip of India, Tamilnadu, is a mission area for us and it is found that the number of the patients is much higher that other states. Tamilnadu is the Second of Indian states and Kanyakumari is the second district in Tamilnadu, where the number of patients reported is very high.

As we went around making a study of it, it is found that the ailment is spreading fast as the patients move around without proper medication or life pattern. Most of the reported cases are from the low income families. Poverty can be traced as the major cause, to which illiteracy, unemployment, practice of multi-partner sex, sex workers who are not adequately protected by contraceptives against transmission of the disease, migrant laborers and truck drivers who are away from their families, slum based youth, organized and unorganized sector workers and intravenous drug use etc. can be added.

A Bird's Eye View of the Center:

John Paul II Care Center is a unique one in the field of Health Care and Medical Service. The Center helps patients like HIV positives, mentally sick, aged people, orphan girls, girl children of AIDS patients and those who are affected by any of the diseases and are not cared by the family members. A Hospital is in function for all patients where the services of the doctors and nurses are in available round the clock.

Along with medication, programmes for mental and spiritual up-liftment are also intended. Prayer Services, variety entertainments and facilities for physical exercises are promoted and provided. This gives them a little relief from the agony and the feeling of desertedness, which will definitely help them to improve their health conditions.

Social discrimination being a major problem faced by the HIV/ infected individuals; there arises resentment from doctor’s and nurse’s side to treat them. Training programmes are conducted to effect with changing the attitude and capacity building of the doctors, nurses and caretakers in managing HIV/positive patients. AIDS Awareness Programmes in colleges and schools, Village Visits, Hospital Visits, Counseling Support and Medical Camps are a few of the Out-Reach Programmes of the Center.

John Paul II Care Center is not a permanent settlement for any of the patient. They will be sent back to their normal walks of life as their health conditions are improved and they are owned by their kith and kin. If they can’t be back to their families for one or other reason, they will be numbered along with the working staff.

The Center is owned and administered by the sister of the Chavara Region of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel(C.M.C). The members on the staff are appointed by the Administrator in collaboration with the Director of the Center. People who offer their voluntary service are welcomed for certain period of time.

Present Condition:

John Paul II Care Center started functioning from December 7th 2007 onwards, in a rented building at Assaripallam, near the Medical College in Kanyakumari.

A Plot of land (3.40 acres) is purchased for this purpose. A single block is constructed to accomodate the patienrs. The extention of the building is our present requirement so as to admit more patients. Our financial position is such that we are not able to have the construction by ourselves. The maintenance of the patients especially food and medication, came a lot of expenses.

We whole heartedly seek your assistance in this effort that we can be grateful to God Almighty for making us better instruments in His way, providing us a chance to render our humble service.

We assure our sincere prayers for all your intentions.

May God Bless us abundantly!

Best Regards,  

Sr. Clarelet C.M.C.