Operation Rainbow Project beneficiaries celebrated St. Marcellin Champagnat
The Marcellin Trust – Operation Rainbow Project celebrated the life and feast of St. Marcellin Champagnat, on June 25th, in Trichy, India. The event was attended by about 150 people who benefit from the Project, and Marist Brothers and laypeople.
To highlight the Charism of our founder, Br. Raj Kumar showed a video presentation about the life and mission of St. Marcellin Champagnat and how his legacy continues today through the Marist Brothers and their collaborators around the world.
Br. Johnson shared his personal testimony as a Marist Brother and encouraged everyone to follow St. Marcellin’s example of generosity and service to others.
Br. Saul also showed another video that focused on the issue of child labor in the world today and how it affects the rights and dignity of children. He urged everyone to be aware of this problem and to do something to stop it.
As part of the Programme, a speech competition for students was conducted on the theme of “St. Marcellin Champagnat: A Model for Today’s Youth”. The winners were awarded with prizes. Additionally, students who successfully completed 10th and 12th Board Exams were honoured.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of a cake by all the children present – who wished everyone a happy feast day -, and the distribution of rations, medical supplies, and traveling allowance to the beneficiaries of the project.
At the conclusion of the celebration, The Marcellin Trust – Operation Rainbow Project expressed its sincere thanks to all those who supported them in making this event possible, especially Australian Marist Solidarity for their generous contribution to sustain and empower the lives of needy and vulnerable children in society. Likewise, The Marcellin Trust also thanked all its benefactors and well-wishers for their constant support and help.
Reducing the fear and isolation experienced by families affected by HIV in Trichy
Of the 65 million people living in the state of Tamil Nadu, approximately 650,000 are HIV positive. Of these, one in seven is a child under the age of 14. These people are some of the most neglected in society because of their poor knowledge about the virus and its effects. Because of the stigma associated with the disease, many families don’t access the services that can assist in managing the illness and its resulting hardships.
Operation Rainbow, was established in 2003 by the Marist Brothers to provide support to families and children affected by HIV. It works with families in their own settings and assists them access resources available within their local communities.
Operation Rainbow provides families and individuals with community support that enables them to live with dignity. This support is provided through home visits, free medical seminars, counselling and HIV awareness courses. An ongoing initiative of Operation Rainbow is the monthly Rainbow Family Gathering. This event gathers together those in the community who are being supported by the program, which helps to reduce the isolation that these families often feel.
Your help can be done through the Australian Marist Solidarity, in this link.