From October 25 to 30, Cécile Villegas, member of Fondacio's co-presidency, and Marc Bezançon, head of fundraising, traveled to the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. This hopeful trip marks an important step in Fondacio's relations with the local community and its partners on the ground, in particular the DHIYA association. Cécile and Marc participated in several significant events that illustrate Fondacio's commitments to human and spiritual development alongside the most deprived communities.
Rajam Center's 10th Anniversary: Celebrating a Decade of Academic Support with Dhiya
One of the important stages of this trip was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Rajam school support center, founded and run by the Dhiya association. This partner, hosted by Fondacio for ten years, is carrying out a magnificent work whose results are very visible in the academic and professional success of its students. This center is indeed a ray of hope for many young people in the village of Rajagopalaperi, offering educational support to children in situations of great vulnerability, through academic support, learning English and computer science, essential elements for continuing their studies in India. The presence of the Fondacio delegation at this celebration made it possible to measure the progress made and testifies to the continuity and strengthening of the friendship between Fondacio and the Dhiya association.
Inauguration of the church of Kuthukalvalasai: a symbol of renewal for the community of Tenkasi
Another highlight of the stay was the inauguration of the Kuthukalvalasai church. Located in a district of Tenkasi, this century-old church, which had long since fallen into ruin, was able to be reborn thanks to the support of a generous Christian donor specializing in financing very poor churches, mobilized by Fondacio. In the presence of Father Bosco, a close friend of the association, and the local community, the team took part in the inauguration, a very important event for the local community who expressed "the dream" that represented the reconstruction of this church, now ready to welcome the faithful for years to come.
Future reconstruction project to strengthen interfaith harmony
During their visit, Cécile and Marc also visited a village in the region where a church reconstruction project is underway. This project, beyond its spiritual dimension, aims to ease tensions between the Catholic and Hindu inhabitants of the village. By allowing the faithful to gather in respect and mutual understanding, this place of worship will participate in the construction of a more united community. Fondacio is thus committed to a process of peace and interreligious dialogue, crucial in this region with its complex social and cultural challenges.
Meetings with Monsignor Antonysamy and exploration of future projects
The trip was also marked by a significant meeting with Bishop S. Antonysamy of Palayamkottai, who expressed his interest in establishing a Fondacio community in India. This wish, shared by Father Bosco, opens up promising prospects for a sustainable establishment of Fondacio in India.
Furthermore, this trip allowed us to visit several local schools and discover a particularly effective model in India: a network of schools that, thanks to their self-financing system, promotes escape from poverty. This innovative mechanism suggests opportunities for new projects in partnership with these establishments. Thus, Fondacio aims to strengthen its involvement in the education and training of young people in India, areas at the heart of its commitment to human development.
A promising future for Fondacio in India
This trip to India, rich in encounters and discoveries, represents a key step in the development of Fondacio in South Asia. Through reconstruction, education and interreligious dialogue projects, Fondacio positions itself as an actor of social and spiritual transformation. The enthusiasm shown by local partners testifies to the profound impact of these initiatives and their potential to promote values of peace, fraternity and social justice.
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