5 Volume 36 No. 2 | Winter 2026 Society Matters “Most of the people are daily labourers and small and parttime farmers,” he said. “Success of their farming depends on rains, though a few have bore wells for irrigation. There are also people who rear animals – goats, sheep, cows, oxen and buffaloes.” The rapid increase in the number of children who have lost both parents is due to a range of reasons, including COVID 19, accidents, and suicide due to debts, he said. “The orphaned children need to be housed in a loving and pleasant atmosphere like a home away from home,” Fr Alwin said. “They must also enjoy their childhood like any other normal child in a playful atmosphere with good education.” Providing a good education is central to the aims of Arnold Bala Vikasa Ashram. “Education is a basic human right for all children. A child who has access to quality primary and secondary schooling has a better chance in life,” Fr Alwin said. “A child who knows how to read, write and do basic arithmetic has a solid foundation for continued learning throughout his or her life. “These children will be sent to school and will be given a sound education in all aspects.” Fr Alwin said the students also receive clean uniforms, educational materials, and medical care. The Arnold Bala Vikasa Ashram currently has 25 orphan children, both boys and girls. “Most of them are tribal children and many of them are street children. We are taking care of them in all aspects, including nutrition, clothing and education,” Fr Alwin said. Along with formal education, the children are also provided with tuition, spoken English coaching, and life skills such as tailoring and computer skills. Extra-curricular activities include quizzes, singing, drawing and games. The Divine Word Missionaries visit the villages of children periodically to make the villagers aware of the need to educate their children. They also organise guardians’ meetings once a year to inform them on subjects such as illiteracy, child labour, child marriage and alcoholism. Fr Alwin said the ministry to maintain residential care for orphan children is expensive. “But I feel it is a worthwhile mission as we will be helping not only this generation but also future generations as well,” he said. “True compassion shown especially to the poor and the suffering has to be the hall-mark of Christian commitment. “In this endeavour, we have made a very small attempt to relieve the suffering of these children, bring them from the shadow of despair, guide them to come out of their neglect, care for them with compassion and serve them with true love, in order to make their life a more joyful experience.”
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