Fr George addressing program’s participants
By Asia News
Sep 9 2020
The aid program for poor families was born in India on the initiative of Claretian Fr. George Kannanthanam, last July 16. To date there are 1000 families supporting as many destitute families. Particular attention to disabled, the terminally ill, widows and elderly, who have no means of support, especially in this period marked by Covid-19.
MACAO – “Mother’s Meal” an aid program for poor families, born in India by Claretian Fr. George Kannanthanam, was launched in Macau on the feast day of Mother Teresa, last September 6. Macao is the first international station for the movement that builds bonds and bridges of support between families to ensure food among groups affected by the economic crisis of Covid-19.
The beginning was perhaps modest: The Claretians of Macao distributed survival food packages to 50 families of migrants. Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, also a Claretian, wanted to help the 50 most vulnerable families with a food kits worth 25 dollars.
Fr. George’s idea – launched in memory of his mother – is that families who can afford it, take it upon themselves to help another family in difficulty, guaranteeing them help for a year.
Help for the 50 migrant families came from family groups linked to the Claretians and from the bishop of Macao himself, Msgr. Stephen Lee Bun Sang.
Speaking in an online video to support family groups (see photo) – mostly from Bangalore – Fr. George said. “Today is the feast of St. Mother Teresa. She always said: if we can’t feed 100 people, let’s start feeding at least one person”. For the priest, the “Mother’s Meal” is the realization of Mother Teresa’s dream.
“Mother’s Meal” was launched on July 16 this year, with only five supporting families, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Claretians’ presence in India. As of August 15, there were already 1000 supporting families in different regions of the country and in 55 cities. The “Mother’s Meal” focuses its attention above all on disabled people, the terminally ill, widows and elderly, who have no support network, especially in this period marked by Covid-19. – AsiaNews
