‘We Have 2 Hands-1 to Receive, 1 to Give’- Rector at St Aloysius PUC ‘CAUSE’ Scholarship Giveaway
‘We Have Two Hands-One to Receive, One to Give’- Rector of St Aloysius Institutions Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ said during the programme on 28 September where students belonging to St Aloysius PUC ‘CAUSE’ gave away Scholarships to 40 Tenth Standard students of various schools.
Mangaluru: Citizen Alliance to Uphold Service and Exchange (CAUSE) founded by then PUC Students Suhan Alva and Mohammed Shawaz of St Aloysius Pre-University College-Mangaluru has now become an incubator for the formation of a social conscience, since its inception four years ago, and it has inspired young students to look beyond themselves and in doing so, has touched countless lives in and around Mangaluru. And to those students in financial difficulties, CAUSE who wanted to fuel them who burn the midnight oil, as an acknowledgement of their hard work who had offered scholarships in the past, have done it again. They have reached out to the less fortunate in little ways, bringing them smiles and joy and the assurance that all lives matters.
Just recently, the student coordinators of St Aloysius P.U College and College Alumni came forward to help the needy by organizing a charity event ‘CAUSE 2018’ for the needy, namely Paschim Re-Hab and De Mercede to spread smiles to the ones who deserve much more than they get. Couple of months ago, CAUSE had distributed books for the deserving and poor students, and now they are giving Scholarships to 40 high school (Xth Standard students). Yes, \we live in a world with overwhelming humanitarian needs, where millions and millions of people are in need of food, water and financial help. With so many needs, where do we even begin? Does helping just one person really matter?
The answer is found in Matthew 25:40 where Jesus says, “Whatever you have done to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me.” One really does matter. You can help the needy around you in practical, creative ways. And this is exactly what a bevy of these Aloysian energetic youngsters have been doing to help the less fortunate and the needy with love. “You may never know what results come of your action, But if you do nothing there will be no result. The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems” had said Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa once said, “We cannot do great things on this Earth, Only small things with great love.”- and that’s exactly the members of CAUSE are doing. Citizens of Mangaluru should encourage these youth by joining them and lending your support to CAUSE, who are trying hard to make a difference in the lives of the needy in the community.
Scholarships distribution by CAUSE to 40 students from X th standard of various schools was organized on Friday 28 September at the St Aloysius PUC Alangan Hall, where Dr Asha Jyothi Rai Maladi- President of Bunts Sangha Womens’ Wing was the chief guiest, and Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ – Rector, St Aloysius Institutions was guest of honor. Fr Melwin Mendonca SJ-Principal of St Aloysius PUC, and Ms Kiran Shetty- Dean of the college also graced the occasion. Following invocation seeking God’s blessings, the welcome address was delivered by Mohammed Althaf, I Yr PUC student. Anoma Lobo then briefed about the activities of CAUSE, following which the distribution of scholarships took place, where chief guest Dr Asha Rai and Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ did the honors. 40 students along with their parents received the scholarship package comprising of Books/Hampers from Bharath Book Mart and Cash amount.
Addressing the audience Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ said, “You area Cause, We are a Cause, and We are all a Cause, and we are here for a Cause, and work for a good Cause! God has given us two hands-one to receive, and one to give. And this has been the initiative of CAUSE, where the young members have been receiving funds through fundraising events and other sources, and in return give it back to those in need. What a nice concept and gesture from these youth. We want our men and women serve others, and that has been our institution aim. We have also donated to the flood victims of Kodagu, where three of our students families lost everything.”
“While many have the best facilities, there are also few others who lack them- and this is where we need to lend our helping hands and share some of our wealth and facilities with the less privileged. CAUSE has created a compassionate heart among the students, and students have become conscious about the downtrodden. It’s nice to note that the members of this organization are doing yeomen service to the community. The efforts of the students in helping out the society through this little contribution while still young is praiseworthy. May God bless you all for what you are all doing” added Rector.
Chief guest Dr Asha Rai addressing the gathering said, “This is an very good initiative taken by these youth to help others at this young age. I want to compliment the founders of CAUSE, Suhan Alva and Mohammed Shawaz for coming up with such an initiative which has been serving and caring for the less privileged. When a small pebble falls into water, it creates ripples, similarly your small initiative has grown into greater heights and making history. Not everyone is born rich, but we should make it a point that we respect everyone equally. And if we have enough wealth, we need to share it with others who have nothing”.
“We need to have a aim in our lives to help others in needs. We should also know that education is a great equalizer- without basic education your lives is in jeopardy. Make a firm decision that you will learn and get education, and in the same time don’t forget your parents and teachers who give you the help and care to pursue your career/education. You as young students are doing yeomen service to the needy society, for which I commend you all, and keep up the good work taht you are all entrusted with, and may God bless you all”said Dr Asha Rai.
Also expressing his thoughts, College Principal Fr Melwin Mendonca SJ said, “Our students contribution to the community may not be big, but it’s the love and care that matters. Today’s event of distribution of scholarships is not the end, for we have many other financial needs that we offer to students who join our institution- and many get enormous discounts on fees. We will provide aid and educational materials for those who want to pursue their education/career at St Aloysius PUC. Today along with books, we have also given you a amount in the form of a cheque, which is crossed/favored in your name, so that you should open an bank account, and add money to it, so that it multiplies for your future education expenses”.
Fr Mendonca SJ further said, “As Nelson Mandela rightly said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. Education is a powerful tool, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the lives of many, acting as a stimulus to unearth and mould the latent talent every child possesses. At St Aloysius PUC we ensure that utmost prominence is given to instilling a sound value-based education on our students. And CAUSE our noble initiative to do our bit for the society, has become a driving force. I strongly believe in the skills and talents of our students. Nothing is insurmountable for a strong-hearted. I conclude by saying, ‘You hold the ability to create, to build, to innovate. Use your unrestrained potential for the good, to make the world a better place’. And you all students after your SSLC want to carry forward your education, St Aloysius PUC doors are always open for you- join here and feel the difference”.
Dean of St Aloysius PUC Ms Kiran Shetty gave some tips to the students as to how to handle exams, how to stay away from “Exam Fever”, and many other ways to write your exams stress free. On the occasion a few faculty of the College, and volunteers of CAUSE were felicitated. The vote of thanks was proposed by Rabiyath, while Miss Leticia D’Çosta compered the programme. The function ended with a few selfie-shots and few group photos.
In conclusion, CAUSE is doing a magnificent and tremendous work is serving the community with its members as Good Samaritans. It’s not just the indigent of society-it is the students too who have been strengthened in carrying out philanthropic work with no complaints or hesitations. After all, these young students of St Aloysius PUC are not what they do for money, they’re what they do for love. And if Aloysius has taught them anything, it is to lean into the spaces that are life-giving and risky, unwilling and painful, tender, yet blessed! And as an Alumni of this prestigious college, I praise these young masses of CAUSE which has grown immensely in their passion and drive in their service to the society- and to my buddy Suhan Alva, I say “Bravo Comrade, for your initiative to form CAUSE”. Proud to be an Aloysian!
