By Thomas Scaria

Bengaluru, Dec 5, 2023: A Sunday ministry started by some Claretian seminarians 35 years ago guided by a priest has become a movement that gives hope to thousands on the periphery.

The ministry later named as the “Hope Society” celebrated its 35 years of service at the Claretian Seminary in Bengaluru on December 3, the International Day of Persons with disabilities.

Persons from all walks of life, who have played some role in developing the society, were honored on the occasion.

The Hope Society has set up two centers for persons with addictions in Belgaum, a town in Karnataka, and Goa, and centers to care for HIV people in Bengaluru and Belgaum.

It has also launched Project Vision for the visually challenged, Project Shelter for the homeless and several initiatives in disaster management, all under the leadership of Claretian Father George Kannanthanam.

Hope developed 13 creative interventions to respond to what was “timely, urgent and effective,” as per the Claretian charism.

“Hope has grown from a mere social activity action group within the seminary to a widely participated people’s movement in India,” observed Father Sabu George, the Claretian provincial who distributed mementos to more than 30 prominent people who have helped develop the society.

The provincial chaired the annual program and praised the effectiveness of the society’s initiatives. Hope Recovery Centre at Belgaum has treated more than 12,000 alcoholics and drug addicts, whereas support centers in Bengaluru and Belgaum have given residential support and rehabilitation to more than 6,000 persons living with HIV, he pointed out.

Father Mario Zalki, director of Project Vision, which was started in 2013, explained the impact of the eye donation movement that has encouraged more than half a million people to pledge their eyes after death. Blind Walk, an innovative program developed by Project Vision, was conducted in more than 1,000 locations in seven countries to help people experience what it is to be blind.

Through the Project Vision Rural campus in Tumkur district, about 10,000 persons were supported with cataract operations. Three hundred children with disabilities are supported for medical and social needs including a day care facility for them.

Mother’s Meal, another intervention of the Hope Society, during the Covid period, gave more than 100,000 provision kits, serving 5 million meals for groups of people such as the disabled and the widows.

The society has built 1,500 houses in the past 35 years for the homeless.

Ravishankar, a volunteer of the movement, presented the future vision of Hope and Project Vision. Various possibilities and opportunities to expand the services, using technology and new innovations were discussed with inputs from Hareesh and team.

Ramu and Sheela from Smart Vision glasses introduced the benefits of using their new product to help the blind in their study and movements. Ten such glasses were distributed during the program to the visually challenged from various institutions for the blind across Karnataka.

Father Kannanthanam felicitated a large number of persons and organizations present at the program, who partnered with Hope and Project Vision in their work over the years.

Most prominent among them was Stanislaus D’Souza who donated 10 acres of land at Kasapura, Tumkur district for the works of Project Vision.

The Vision Ambassadors who coordinated eye collections were honored during the program. Michael. who is 90, along with his wife Glory, was honored for his relentless activities to promote eye donations at Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Father Pradeep Correa, president of Hope Society, thanked the gathering for their presence and support. He has worked for people affected by drug and alcohol problems for more than a decade.