Caring for the Elderly
The Department of Christianity organized an Extension activity at Little Sisters of the Poor located in Gandhi Nagar, Mysuru. The home provides shelter to elderly persons of both sexes, irrespective of caste, sex, or religion who are above 60 years of age. Admissions are given preferably to the poor, those who are deprived of
family love, and who are rejected in society because of their poverty. The home provides with all the necessities of life. The aim of the sisters is to make the aged feel secure, loved and cared for in their old age. The department realized to spend some fruitful time with the elderly person to make their day happy and to bring joy and cheerfulness on their faces through cultural activities and interaction.
The team reached exactly at 10.00 am we were received with a warm welcome by the sisters. Sr Antoinette oriented the students, she explained that the late Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore invited the little sisters to start a Home for the aged as he felt many poor people were abandoned in their old age and led to the birth to this institution. She expressed that in order to
maintain the home, the sisters depend on daily contributions, which they collect in the city, either in cash or kind. She shared that they form a happy family. The residents have outings, picnics during the year.
Many special occasions are observed here by the outsiders. Sister shared birthdays and special occasions are celebrated in the home and the residents happily enjoy each other companies together as a family. Many times, even the outsiders celebrate their special days in this home and make their day more wonderful. She explained on how they the sisters raise the funds by collecting cash or kind to maintain the home. She expressed that the main aim of this home is to is to make the aged feel secure, loved and cared for in their old age.
The elderly persons started to gather in the hall with lot of curiosity and enthusiasm. The programme started with a prayer
song by Anthony and group followed by welcome note by Jasmin. The students brought colours to the whole programme they sang songs, group dance and the main attraction was mime which portrayed the negative consequences of phone addiction. The students dance and music brought cheerful on the faces of the elderly, they
enjoyed the programmes. One of the residents thanked the whole team for visiting them she expressed that due to COVID-19 pandemic no extension activities were allowed and after a long break they got the opportunity to see all and appreciated students for their effort to make their day
memorable. After the cultural programmes the students interacted with some of the residents and that was the happiest moment to all. The students distributed the refreshment to the residents. Sister was overwhelmed and said that the students had come with lot of preparation, enthusiasm, and good intentions. Later Sr Annette addressed
the students on universal brother hood, love and freedom. Due to Covid restrictions students were not
allowed to visit the dormitories. To support the elderly the students shopped the items prepared by the residents.
The students realised the value of elderly and the need to take care and love them.
The Little Sisters rely on the help of generous people to collaborate with them in their service to the elderly, so that the lives of these seniors are made happier, and that they are still needed in society with their experience of long lives.
