Mission Month – October, 2000

Dear Friend of Notre Dame India Mission,

The words of this song set the theme for Mission Month, for we have been called to journey together as co-missionaries…called to be love in a world filled with pain. THANK YOU for your support of our mission work in the past. Your generosity enables our missionaries to carry on the vitally important work they do!

What are some of those works? Navjeevan Health Center in Sasaram is a perfect example of all the good that our Sisters can do, thanks to you!

• Sr. Prema Devaraj, M.D. heads the staff of twelve at the health center. Every day they treat more than 200 patients who come from miles around. Sr. Prema and the staff provide relief for body and soul through quality health care, low-cost medicine, and counseling services.

• "Navjeevan" means "new life." The medical workers at Navjeevan offer new life to the people in 15 surrounding villages through outreach programs. They train one woman from each village to be the village health worker. She promotes health among the people through pre-natal and childcare classes, and teaching the need for hygiene and good nutrition. Three of the staff members act as supervisors to direct these village health workers.

• Unless the women in the villages are empowered, no change can take place. The Navjeevan staff has formed 10 self-help groups among the village women, helping them start bank accounts and small businesses like selling vegetables, jewelry, and herbal medicine. This gives them a measure of independence and dignity that they have never known before.

• Sr. Prema and the staff have involved the children and youth of the area. Twelve schools take part in the School Health Program. The children learn to be agents of change in their homes and communities. The teens are also involved in two drama groups, which travel to various villages and schools in the area. They use their creativity to build awareness among the people of the need for education and good health care.

• Navjeevan Health Center has established two schools for the very poor in remote villages. They aim to have at least ten of these schools in operation within the next few years.

All of these good works take time, personnel, and resources. That’s where you come in! Your gift to Notre Dame India Mission will go a long way in helping our missionaries reach out to those in need. One U.S. dollar is equal to 43 Indian rupees. The daily wage of a village man in India equals about 50 cents! So you don’t have to be rich in order to make a difference. You just need to care about those who are less fortunate.

I ask you today to continue your support of Notre Dame India Mission. Join us as a

co-missionary through a generous gift of $15, $25, $50, or more. Every dollar you give will enable our missionaries to help the people raise their standard of living through education, health care, and social services. Journey together with us during this special month. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to make the world a better place.

Thank you….God bless you….You have a special place in our prayers!

Yours in Christ,

Sister Valerie Sweeney, SND

Mission Director

P.S. – Please send your gift today in the enclosed envelope, along with any prayer intentions you may have. We will remember them specially each day of October.