As we continue to share news of Salvatorian Office for International Aid (SOFIA Global), a Salvatorian-led project, this issue of Hope focuses on Asia, where SOFIA’s work is present in India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
We start with India, home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations and one-third of the world’s poorest people. With inadequate sanitation, water, and education, India has one of the highest rates of violence and discrimination against women.
Salvatorian projects include the Otto Hopfenmueller Community Hall, a multipurpose community hall that can accommodate up to 500 people. The hall hosts skills-training workshops, seminars, programs for women and youth, health awareness programs, job-oriented seminars, awareness of the implications of new government laws and regulations, educational awareness, school dropout support, programs for physically challenged children, etc.
Another project in India is for St. John Vianney School in Nongbah, a very remote village. Specifically, the project here is to increase the capacity of toilets from 2 to 12 to provide hygienic sanitation for school children and teachers, and stem health epidemics in the area.
The third project is for developing teachers’ quarters at Divine Savior School in Laitkynsew, another remote village. SOFIA, with the support of various partners, established the only English-medium school in the village. The school offers K-10 education, a boarding section for students coming from villages further away, and a school bus to transport others who cannot be accommodated at the hostel. Teachers’ quarters will attract qualified teachers from the city, effectively boosting the quality of education.
