A lighthouse of hope for children with HIV/AIDS in India

Father Margaret Sonita Ming, SCSC – Vatican City

Snehdeeep Holy Cross’s residential journey started in May 2014, when Sor Bresto MadadSary, a qualified nurse and the founder of the school, along with his sisters, attended the difficult facts faced by children who live with HIV/AIDS. During family visits, they realized that many of these children did not go to school because of stigmatization, financial difficulties or health problems. The most worrying fact was that teachers were often indifferent to the well -known well and abandoning schools due to medical motifs. A story that was depth of the Britto Wall: A boy abandoned his parents who migrated abroad to flee the stigma of social shame. Then he was imprisoned in prison, not for a crime, but simply to prevent him from spreading the disease. “HIV people also have a life. Who am I to put them in the discussion and reject them?” Once again, he had a vision of the mother Theresa, who said: “I came to a greeting to you. Now, take my work in your hands.” These strong moments pushed the Britto wall to devote his life to this issue.

Determination to act, on July 9, 2014, the sisters had a consulting session for the worshipers, conducted by the Council of the Educational Project for the State of JHARKHAND (JEPC) and the Community Care Center at the Snehdeep. Two months later, on September 23, 2014, Snehdeep Holy Cross School was established in two small rooms of Hazaribgh School, which suffers from hearing at St. Michael. Initially, there were only teachers: a counselor, games teacher, cooking, guard and director.

buildingGo from scratch

With the increase in the number of children, the school was forced to change the six or seven -time headquarters before it settled in Banahappa in 2017. However, the journey was not deprived of difficulties. Many – including my religion – looked from top to bottom to the Britto wall, and some refused to allow her to enter her rooms, describing her as “AIDS sister”. “One of my friends said that she will not allow me to enter her room! They said:” Look, the AIDS sister is coming to seek food. “Getting the land was another great challenge, because government officials rejected this initiative, saying that these children were” useless “for society. But perseverance resulted in. Swami Al -Hindusi, who noticed the efforts made by the Earth’s wall, decided For the school. Another support from Father Krohi, the Australian Jesuit, which contributed to the financing of the shelter, and the hands of the school.

Education and the future Behind the stigma

Snehdeep Holy Cross housing schools offer comprehensive development opportunities for children who live with HIV/AIDS and those whose parents are infected with HIV. In addition to education, the school guarantees that children get health care, vocational training and personal training. Education feeds on the talents of every child, whether it is the school, technical, in gardening or sports, and helps them achieve their full potential. The school offers education to the eighth grade, but made efforts to expand it to the tenth grade. “I am pleased to inform you that our school will soon reach the tenth grade. The necessary procedures are implemented for that. After the eighth grade, our students attend the nearby public school and complete their studies,” Father Pretto participated.

Mr. Bresto and Sisters – Student Exchange Program

RikonSitting deserved

In September 2024, SOR BRISTO won the “Sustainability of Mission and the Ministry” award at the eighty -first General Assembly (AGBM) at the Medical College in Saint John, Bangalore, for their dedication to education and improving children with HIV/AIDS. The media at Hazaribgh also recognized its work, which later indicates the impact of their mission. SOR BRITTO belongs to the Group of Mercy of the Holy Cross, a religious group that has been in India since 1894. His mission remains firm: “Patured with emotional love for the Lord, and the challenge of time and participants in a new society, especially at least.

The SENEHDEP HOLY CROSS residential school, which is run by the sisters, is a testimony to what can be done when he finds the sympathy of the procedure.