MISSION APPEAL TO PROMOTE EDUCATION
AMONG POOR CHILDREN IN INDIA - JULY 6-7, 2024

Father Devasagayaraj, Vicar for the Clergy, Archdiocese of Pondicherry, India will be making a mission appeal at Our Lady of the Ridge - St. Linus Parish to support Dalit Solidarity, a Catholic and Tax-exempt charity with 501©(3) status. Since 2000, Dalit Solidarity has served as a lifeline to those living at the fringes of society and brightened the lives of poor, marginalized children, abandoned widows, and school dropouts. Father Raj promotes St. Patrick’s School for children who are caught in the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Many children live in abject poverty, and hence, they are forced to drop out of school and become child laborers. They are lost to education, and therefore, opportunities in life. Education is the only way that we can turn around their lives. St. Patrick’s is just doing what we intended in providing quality and affordable education to children who come from rural areas and marginalized communities.

Currently more than 700 children are enrolled at St. Patrick school from kindergarten to higher secondary. They come from 30 rural and remote villages that have no access to quality education and public transportation. More than 70% of those enrolled are Dalits who are untouchables under the caste system, and most of them are the first generation in their families to attend English Medium (Matric) schools. A total of 75% of the families are daily laborers, who make less than $5 per day. As many as 80% of the parents are illiterate and struggle hard with their daily livelihood. We keep our doors open to any child regardless of their ability to pay or not. Education is the key to providing them with the knowledge, and skills to earn a living, leading to a healthier, more productive life. St. Patrick’s maintains a strong record of success and excellence in meeting our objectives.

The great challenge we face now is to provide transportation for children from remote villages. We are required to purchase additional buses to help the children to attend St. Patrick’s. Each bus costs at least $30,000 with all insurance and safety measures. Your generosity will pave the way to a bright and limitless future for our children. The poor and marginalized always live in hope - hope of bettering their lives and rising to stand in equality with their fellow human beings. This hope is realized through people like you. Small or large, your donations will change a life. Please join the Dalit Solidarity family today at www.dalitsolidarity.org.

Thank you and may God richly bless you for answering God’s greatest commandment - to love.

Father Benjamin Chinnappan,
Mission Coordinator