By Matters India Reporter

Meloor: For Geetha Meppully, having a decent house with some basic facilities was beyond her dream or imagination. But when it became a reality, the Hindu widow’s joy knew no bounds

On November 3, a three-room house was handed over to her by some Claretian priests.

The family of seven at Meloor, near Chalakkudy in Kerala’s Thrissur district “is so happy with the new house, especially my little grandchildren,” Meppully told Matters India.

Meppully is a beneficiary of a housing project the Claretian congregation launched in July 201`9 to commemorate their 50th year of presence in India.

“We have built our 11th house for a poor family in India,” said Claretina Father Jijo Kandamkulathy, one of the priests responsible for the initiative.

Shiju Aachaandy, a layman who assisted in the project said he had visited Meppully’s old house four months ago. “Now it is like a metamorphosis,” he told Matters India.

Meppully has a physically challenged son, who is married with three children. The daughter-in-law works as a saleslady in a nearby shop.

The houses are built for the poor, vulnerable and deserving families regardless of religion or social categories, the priest explained.

Besides, Claretians have also started a charity project named “Mother’s meal” which gives food to the hungry in countries such as India, Macao (China), Nepal and Uganda (East Africa).

The Claretian Missionaries are also known as the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary founded by St. Anthony Maria Claret in Spain in 1849.

Today, the congregation is spread across 18 states in India through its five provinces with nearly 600 members.

Claretians have been engaged in helping people affected by disasters and those affected with leprosy, HIV and disabilities in various parts of India.

They are also involved in education, developmental activities and missionary activities.