Preparation and Distribution of Food and Clothes to the people on the street

We started its initial mission when three likeminded individuals, Mrs. Ancy Johnson, Mr. Shijo Devasya and Mr. Boby Devasya, came together with determination and thirst to serve the least. Their thirst for serving the poor brought the team to Fr. Martin at the Divine Retreat Centre Faridabad. Father’s wisdom filled, sincere and fatherly guidance for the first step was to distribute food among those who are hungry on the street. Owning no job and no house, the trio had to beg for collecting food from several houses and distributed them among the people in the street. They spent almost four months distributing food and praying fervently through the intercession of Mother Mary. There were many families and individuals who selflessly supported this mission. This exercise given by Fr. Martin was indeed a test for them before getting into the actual service.

We were concentrating on collection of food / food items from various families and well-wishers on a daily basis and also preparing food out of the materials received from various people and distributing them in various parts of Delhi to the needy.

We also collected old clothes from various sources and distributed them to the people, who did not have any clean clothes.

During this stage, we noticed that people were dying on the roads without having shelters.

We have continued food and clothes distribution during the year. As the determination was concreted with the help of Mother Teresa Sisters at Bhati Mines, the first son was taken from the road to a rented home at A-51, Harswaroop Colony, near Bhati Mines, Delhi.

The house owner, Mr. Mangat Ram and his family’s generous considerations towards the inmates is worth mentioning. Though the facility was timid, the security and the confidence we enjoyed were so valuable in continuing the service without interruption.

During the year we have brought home 4 patients and they were all with us till the year end.

Though we stayed there for almost 6 years, the initial rent was never increased. The house owner’s mother, whom Ancy visited often, was very merciful that she instructed her sons for the care and consideration.

The Organisation got registered in the name and style of “Shanti Niketan Social Welfare Society” to run its charitable activities in a more systematical manner and to reach more needy people. The formation and registration of the Society was done on 18th October 2007. The rented building was stood in a plot size of 100 sq.yard having, ground floor and an open terrace.

This facility could accommodate only 10-13 people if the entire area was used for beds. However, the strength of the inmates grew up to 25 when we finally moved from there.

In 2012, we celebrated the Vth anniversary of the Society, with the Blessing of Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Faridabad Diocese. The Chief Guest being, Mr. K V Thomas, the then union minister, the function was honored by many other distinguished guests.

The President of the Society Ms. Ancy Johnson received all the distinguished guests along with the governing body members. About 200 people attended the celebration. It was a great honor to have our Faridabad Eparchy Bishop, Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara to bless the home and also preside over the public meeting.

This was the first time the Society experienced the strength of the well-wishers. They gathered in large numbers to express their solidarity and support for the cause during the Anniversary Celebration and thereafter.

The then General Secretary to the Society gave a brief about the inception of the Society and working pattern and above all, shared the happiness of the inmates which was case specific. The future plans and wishes were also shared apart from the financial status of the organization.Many people responded to the appeal for help to make the living conditions of the inmates better.

The number of inmates kept growing, and so did the demand for accommodating more of them.

During the course of services, many generous persons became the Society’s part and parcel in making sure that these unwanted, abandoned sons are given food and medicine on time and as required, and comforted and prayed over. As space inadequacy was affecting the basic facilities for the crowded inmates, one of our benevolent donors offered to pay rent and urged us to move to a better house.

So, there began the hunt for a new home. Getting a house with the required space and facility seemed out of their reach, as people was choosy for the tenant and the demand for rent was also too much to afford.

The hunt finally zeroed down to an old warehouse, which didn’t had any ventilation or a strong roof. There weren’t any kitchen and toilet facilities as well. All it had was uneven floors and walls. With the support of many, it was converted to a livable house and in January 2013, we shifted to the new home at Asola Village.

During the year, the society members started to visit Govt. hospitals to meet the poor and abandoned patients and offered help as per the priority and need, in the form of materials for personal use and shelter after discharge.

The owner wanted to sell the house even before one-year of lease period for the rented place expired. Before anyone could even react, he sold off a part of the renovated building and open area.The buyer started digging the area, broke the rooms and in the middle of his work, the deal was cancelled and other buyers started visiting the place. It caused immense inconvenience, instability and aroused the need to look out for another house. All trials proved fruitless as it was nearly impossible to get a house for the type of Children the Society owned.

At this juncture, God gifted the Society a great spiritual guide and an energetic motivator, Bishop Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the first Bishop of Syro Malankara Diocese, Gurugram. His patronage presence and intervention gave the members a new energy and new direction.

A Donors’ gathering was organized on July 20, 2014, when the need for finding a permanent home became imperative.

Under the guidance of Bishop, Dr. Mar Jacob Barnabas, the President invited all existing donors and well-wishers, to a single platform, to discuss the need and also to brainstorm on the issue. Nearly 80 donors and well-wishers gathered and this meeting in fact kick-started the hunt for a permanent home. The motivating supportive participants gave a new energy for the society members to work harder towards the goal.

The governing body members explained the status, and also few gave an insight to their individual experience of caring the least during the gathering.

The President, with her executive members, under the guidance of relentless moral, physical and financial support of a great family, we got a land in which you see our dream house today. The generous donor, who offered the rent at the need of the hour, and her family, became our backbone and it became a turning point to our mission. Their generosity, expressed by their frequent physical presence, moral boosting whenever Ancy was in crisis, concern for Ancy’s family and above all, their handsome financial support gifted the Society with a plot and a dream house that stands erected today.

During the Blanket distribution program we realized the pathetic condition of the people lying in the road side of Delhi during winter. We have decided to continue this program during winter in Delhi.

We found that there is shortage manpower to do the activities of SNSWS and also there was severe shortage of financial resources to employ more staff. This situation has motivated us to invite Volunteers to carry out the activities. This has really helped us to get the free service of Doctors, nurses and other volunteer workers.

The wholehearted support of our benevolent donor and her family continued for the construction and for the running of the Society. Notably on the journey to building the house in the given plot, Ancy and the other society members encountered so many people whom God has chosen for their help. The Society has received generous contributions from many individuals, firms and some communities towards the construction of the new house. These contributions and concerns have really turned our dream into the reality.

The Blessings that this endeavor received through priests, nuns and many prayer groups through their personal visits, Holy Mass, and prayers are still the assets of the Society. The Society had the first opportunity to have Holy Eucharistic Celebration in the last rented house by Rev. Fr. Paul Kodiyan, the then Vicar of St. Pius X Church, Dwarka. The Holy Eucharistic procession in the building under construction and the adoration at the house, with the sincere prayer by Father opened the doors of Heaven. There after the visit and Holy Mass by Fr. Bosco Njaliath, (Director Carmel Retreat Center, Karukutty) with Fr. Roby, (Chancellor Faridabad Diocese), helped in continuing the showers of blessings.

The LadoSarai Parish under which the Society and its house belong, wholeheartedly supported the Society for the cause. The members of the Parish had been very cooperative and their voluntary services at all special occasions are very encouraging. The visits of Parish Priests and their warm response whenever approached, have boosted the courage, confidence and dedication of our team. Fr. Peter, Fr. Benny, Fr. Roby are fondly remembered by the Society.

The then Local Political leaders like Pradhans, MLA’s and Councilor morally supported the cause as and when they were approached. Their presence at each event speaks of their concern for the Society. The Police Department of the area also had been very supportive.

Apart from this, there are many who have extended their generous support during the time of crisis and helplessness, and whenever, we have approached them. Without each of them it would have been impossible to reach here today.

On the 6th November 2016, the new house was blessed by His Excellency, Bishop Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the Bishop of Gurgaon Diocese. The inauguration of the house was done by Mr. Ajay Kumar IRS (PS to MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment).

Mr.Mammen Eapen (Member Board of Directors,Manorama News), opened the house by cutting the Ribbon and Mrs.Omana Mammen inaugurated the Mammen Hall dedicated to the children of SWSWS.

Msgr. Jose Edassery (Vicar General of the Faridabad Eparchy) represented the Bishop and participated in the house Blessing. The guest of honor was Mr. Kartar Singh Tanwar (MLA of Chhatarpur Constituency). Other distinguished guests include Fr. Roby Kunthaniyil (Parish Priest LadoSarai), Fr. Paul Kodiyan (Dir. Social Welfare, Faridabad Diocese) and Fr. Peter Karikkattukari (Dir. Minor Seminary).

Maj. Thomas KS gave a formal welcome to the distinguished guests, Mrs. Rosily George presented the report of the functioning of the Society and Mrs. Ancy Johnson (President) expressed the Vote of Thanks. About 150 well-wishers and supporters attended the meeting.

The construction of the first floor was completed in 2017; the Blessing and inauguration of the first floor was done by Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara. The Lourde Matha Chapel in the first floor of the home was inaugurated on July 2017. The occasion was blessed by Holy Eucharist celebrated by our dear Patrons, Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao and Bishop Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas.

The Society celebrated its Xth Anniversary this year and brought out a souvenir to commemorate the completion of a decade in the service of poor.

The Society continued with the functioning of its’ home for the homeless, Shanti Niketan Ashram, from its new home. We focused mainly on the Ashram and its inmates. We brought in new inmates and continued with our volunteering works of distributing food, clothes and blankets to the needy.

Since there are two professional tailors available among the inmates, a stitching class was inaugurated on the first floor of the Ashram by H.E. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas and Ms. Shilpa Mammen.

The Society continued with the functioning of Shanti Niketan Ashram and the welfare of its inmates. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the regular functioning of our Society, we continued with our mission within our limits. Visitors at the Ashram were limited or restricted to safeguard the inmates. We volunteered to provide food items and medical kits to people on the streets within the government regulations.

We continued supporting the needy with food kits during the lock down. The moral and financial support from our benevolent donors is worth mentioning. Apart from this, we also provided medical support to those on the streets.

The Society continues its humble service each day and promotes to the safety and welfare of the homeless people. Many a times, we wonder, how and from where do these many people are found abandoned or orphaned. So, we strive to work our best, to help realize the busy society around us, to slow down and look around at least once in a while and thus, regain the hope in humanity.