Assam

The Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, administrate our sponsor site in Assam. The goal of the Sisters is to provide educational and rehabilitative services to the children in this community, with a special focus on improved mobility and independence of children with disabilities.

Assam is one of the northeastern states of India, in the section that geographically separated from the rest of the country. Chalice’s Assam sponsor site is located in the north of the state. The economy is overwhelmingly agricultural. Assam produces nearly half of the country's total tea. While this area is rich in natural resources, like water, forests and petroleum, slow modernization and poor access to technology has prevented them to be tapped, further limiting the growth of the economy. Traditional methods of fishing and agriculture are still used and most people are not self-sufficient.

Due to inaccessibility to proper medical facilities, infants are often affected by congenital disorders, for which they do not receive the necessary care. The view of differently-abled children in this society is one of burden and embarrassment. Children with disabilities are often left at home and ignored.  The Sisters have given priority to education, rehabilitation and training, leading to the all around development of the sponsored children and their families. Therapy is provided for the children and their caretakers are taught how to continue the therapy at home. The community has become more aware of disabilities and the mindset of society is slowing changing.

Sponsorship helps to provide health awareness, clean water, sanitation facilities and nutritional supplements. Through these benefits the Sisters aim to foster personal growth and an overall sense of community development. Through the help of generous sponsors in Canada, rehabilitation and medical necessities will be provided as needed. Children who have been unable to begin school will finally have the opportunity to join their peers in the classroom.

2012 Director’s letter to sponsors
Sponsor Site: Assam India
Dear Sponsors,
The Assam Chalice Sponsor Site in India is happy to share with you the journey of the sponsorship program during the year. We the sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, province of Guwahaty, Assam plunged in the lives of the differently-abled children and we are nurturing 64 sponsored children (among them 58 are persons with disabilities) through medication, education, nutrition, health and hygiene and family support. We are grateful to CHALICE for their generosity, cooperation, good will and especially for helping us to open a day care centre named Holy Cross Mercy Home in Changsari for the progress and betterment of the children. We believe that with God’s blessing, together with your support, this centre will give assurance of hope and courage to the people of the area to accept these children and come forward to serve them with nobility. Thanks to the parents and children who have placed their trust in us and make our ministry effective.

Education: Among the 64 sponsored children, 24 of them are students going to various schools and junior colleges; all except 2 children passed to the next class. We support the children with study materials, uniforms and tuition fees to help them feel equal and to encourage hope of a successful future. We also encourage the children who are not going to school in arts and crafts, to develop their talents.

Nutrition: A healthy mind and a healthy body is a sign of well-being. You have helped us to reach out to these children and their families by providing them regular nutrition which keeps them healthy, happy and functionally improving. Eight families are receiving additional nutrition in every month and 6 children received hostel fees. The children who come regularly to the centre are provided with milk and biscuits, helping them to have a balanced health.

Health and Hygiene: You help our children to be neat and tidy and this makes them happy. We are able to provide them with basic toiletry articles to fulfil their hygiene needs. All sponsored children receive this support regularly.

Aids and appliances: “A little physiotherapy each day to keep the disability away” is our motto. To reach out to the children, making them more independently mobility and better functioning, we have provided walking aids for 7 children. We also provide regular therapy for sponsored and non-sponsored children of the area. Use of developmental toys and play methods are helping them to improve their coordination, stimulation, balance, communication and identification. Parents are happy and hopeful to see the gradual progress in their children. We also support children with their medication.

Gift Catalogue / Christmas funds / special gifts: When you have a large heart distance does not matter nor does anything become an obstacle. That is what we see in you. The vehicle in the centre, provided through the Gift Catalogue, is a sign of your generosity and large heart. We have no words to thank you for your generosity to fulfil the need of our centre. This vehicle allows us to transport children to the rehabilitation centre more easily. In order to support families for their future sustainability we have helped them to purchase livestock like cows, goats, piglets and also distributed fruit trees. We also could support them with cultivation. Through these extra funds, which supplement sponsorship, we have been able to help three different families with houses, a safe drinking water facility, a toilet and shower. We now have a laptop which is a great help for administrative purpose. Thanks to the CHALICE team and to you sponsors.

Dear sponsors, we acknowledge and appreciate you and express our heartfelt gratitude and well wishes, for it is because of you that we can carry out this noble task. This centre, Holy Cross Mercy Home was a seed which was planted and is now slowly starting to sprout. With God’s Blessing and your support it will branch out to shelter the least in the society . We assure our humble prayers that may the blessings of God be upon you and your family and in all your services and may they be effective and successful. Kindly accept the love and warmth of our lovely children, parents, family members, staff and sisters.

Dear Friends we are affected by frequent ethnic violence, curfews and strikes, especially in Bijni and Goreswar, and it sometimes affects our ability to carry out our mission effectively. So I kindly request your prayers for Assam.
God Bless You.
Sr.Laisa Peter – Director, Holy Cross Mercy Home
Purabinagar, Changsari (PO)
Kamrup DT, Assam