‘Love is the Best Gift You Can Give to Others’- Bishop at 54th Mangalore Cheshire Home ‘Founder’s Day’

‘Love is the Best Gift You Can Give to Others’- Bishop at 54th Mangalore Cheshire Home ‘Founder’s Day’

‘Love is the Best Gift You Can Give to Others’- Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha at 54th Mangalore Cheshire Home ‘Founder’s Day’, held on Tuesday, 8 October 2019.

Mangaluru: The “54th Founder’s Day” of Mangalore Cheshire Home was celebrated on Tuesday, 8 October 2019 at 4.00 pm at the Cheshire Home Hall, thereby taking pride in renewing its commitment to serve the disabled and include them in the mainstream society. Thanks to the dear donors and well-wishers, and also due to the dedicated, committed and service-oriented “young” members, Mangalore Cheshire Home has reached greater heights in serving and creating opportunities for people with disabilities. This has been made possible through the solidarity of countless friends.

The Mangalore Chapter of the Cheshire Homes India, started on 7 August 1965 when service minded citizens of Mangaluru inspired by the noble ideas of Lord Cheshire, set up a Home for the rehabilitation of twelve burnt out Hansen women abandoned by society and their families, due to the stigma attached to the disease. It was a matter of great pride for
the Home that Lord Cheshire himself inaugurated the first wing housing 12 inmates, which has now 19 inmates and 8 day care group, taken good care with love and solace. .

Prior to the formal function at the CH Hall, the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, along with parish priest of Valencia Church, Fr James D’souza celebrated a Mass for the inmates, staff and Board members of Cheshire Home. The formal programme began with the differently-abled inmates of the house welcoming the gathering by an prayer song, followed by a dance, which reflected their enthusiasm, despite their disabilities. Ms Wilma Aranha-Chairperson of MCH welcomed the dignitaries on the dais and the audience, and gave a brief description of Miracle of the MCH and its activities saying, ” As we celebrate the 54th Founder’s Day of MCH, our hearts are filled with Joy and satisfaction in the wonderful work we are involved with. We thank our mentors who have shown us the way to love and care for those who are waiting at the threshold to receive
it”.

“Working with the differently- Abled is an experience by itself. No recreation will bring you this happiness which we get by serving the very special people of God. We have not been receiving the stipulated grants for the past so many years from the government, but still we are able to carry on with the support given to us by the generous public. We thank all those who have supported us throughout the years which has helped the Mangalore Cheshire Home to reach the 54th milestone with dignity and pride, where we serve the 19 inmates with love, care and solace “.

The celebration marked with the garlanding of the portrait of Captain Leonard Cheshire-Founder of Cheshire Homes Fraternity, (Portrait of Capt Leonard Cheshire was a artwork done by Mrs Wilma Aranha), and also by lighting the traditional lamp by Chief Guest, Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha- Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, along with Guest of Honour Dr B M Hegde (Renowned cardiologist/professional/educator and author, and the former Vice Chancellor of Manipal University), Ms Wilma Aranha and Ms Hazel Colaco- Chairman and Secretary of MCH respectively; and Sr Sibina (In-Charge of MCH)

Following a elaborate Annual Report of MCH by Ms Hazel Colaco, the new brochure of the Home was released by the Bishop, joined by Sr Cecili (craft section in-charge). Dr B M Hegde in his jovial speech said ” Coming to Cheshire Home is a pleasure, having known Ms Wilma Aranha and her family for years and also few other committee members. Happy to note that Cheshire home, through their yeomen service has made several inmates independent and provided the confidence for them to live a normal and happy life. Man has to live for others, and that’s what Leonard Cheshire did. What good you do, you’re doing for others”.

“As Leonard had once said, “The basic key is people. If you have the right people, the rest will follow. MCH under the chairmanship of Wilma Aranha has a highly dedicated and resourceful committee members who willingly give their time and resources. Seeing is believing if we all visit MCH. I have visited many other Cheshire Homes in the nation, but I find that Mangalore Cheshire Home is far better than the others. MCH speaks in volumes about their numerous programmes and activities catered for their inmates. The management and staff here make sure that the inmates are happy and smiling” added Dr Hegde.

Bishop Rev Peter Paul Saldanha addressing the audience said, “I was once told a person that if I want to see happy people, I should visit Mangalore Cheshire Home- and coming here for the first time, I did see happy and smiling faces of the 17 inmates, even though they are not normal like us. No doubt these inmates get all the love and care to remain happy. You should know that LOVE is the greatest gift you can give to others. Regarding Leonard, he had envisaged opportunities and facilities for the disabled residents to engage themselves and become useful or fitted for employment by suitable treatment. He could foresee the dignity and self respect a disabled person would enjoy when he he/she becomes economically self-reliant and can lead a life of dignity. He had deep understanding of Indian culture and love for India. He had remarkable wisdom in the rehabilitation of the disabled people of this country. Glad to note that all the Cheshire Homes in India, including here in Mangaluru are extremely doing good and serving the differently-abled with love and care”

“The concern of every religion and every community is to eradicate poverty. We Christians, have a special mission and responsibility in this regard. Every person, especially the poor in the society deserves respect and dignity. Jesus had great love and concern for the poor, it
is also mentioned in the Bible that the poor, sick and marginalized are very close to Jesus. We should respect every person especially the poor and treat them equally and not discriminate them. We should inspire and motivate all to work for the poor .These 19 residents have found a new home at Cheshire Home, and are lucky to get all the love and caring. The training and other co-curricular activities being taught to these inmates by the committee members, caretakers and other volunteers needs to be commended and appreciated. Service to the poor is like doing God’s work, and we should all appreciate and commend Mangalore Cheshire Home for their tremendous service and love towards the less privileged, and may God bless its residents, management and staff” added Bishop.

A skit by the inmates on Love For Environment was applauded by the audience. Special guests from Ladies Social Service League, Lady Lions Clubs, Inner Wheel and Ladies Circle were greeted and welcomed with a rose by Ms Wilma Aranha. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Lucy Vas, a MCH active member, and the programme was professionally compered by Ms Renee Lobo, the Joint Secretary of MCH. A humane gesture of the people who visit the place was also seen during the Founder’s day celebrations, where a number of people come forward to help the house with their small contributions for, and the successful
running of the house- and these kind donors were presented with a rose and a group snap for sweet memories.

In conclusion, now that Cheshire Home-Mangaluru has successfully completed 54 years, they still need the support from the public/well-wishers to continue with their mission to serve the less fortunate/disabled-so let’s donate generously towards this Home, so that they can continue with the good work that they are all entrusted with. The joy of being able to bless and give someone you love and care, and to make them smile, is priceless. The satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others cannot be overstated. Knowing that you have helped make someone else’s life a little brighter and better is a special feeling, and one that will last with you for a long time. And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy.

It is should be noted that Cheshire Homes have been serving people with several disabilities, making them realize the skills they are unaware of and striving to make them self-sufficient by teaching them. And here at MCH, the 19 inmates are taught to work on things like Glass and Fabric painting, Envelope and making of paper bags, making brooms, gardening and cultivating vegetables, Greeting cards for all the occasions, Tailoring and even to work on Computers- and also train them in co-curricular activities, including music and dance. And their hidden talents developed at the MCH were unleashed during the function.

“Do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16). “We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day. We’re all part of God’s great big family. And the
truth is that love is all we need. So let’s start giving, for it’s true, we’ll make a better day. Just you and me.” – These thought-provoking lyrics by the late pop-star Michael Jackson are quite befitting here. Show Mangalore Cheshire Home that you care. Yes, we all can do it if we make up our mind. If you are looking for a way to enhance your act of sharing and giving experience, try giving back now- and contribute to Mangalore Cheshire Home.

For more details of Mangalore Cheshire Home and how you can support the Home please call 0824-2430468 (O); 9480958541(Chairperson-Wilma Aranha); 9448457332 (Hon.Secretary-Hazel Colaco)

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