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Luxembourg is impressed by Fr. Joe and Kripa’s
works, says envoy at nostalgic reunion
Kripa Foundation’s
work in the field of rehabilitating substance addicts while simultaneously
containing the HIV/ AIDS contagion in India
Ambassador Stronck,
who was accredited as his country’s envoy in September 2011, made these
observations following a visit to Kripa’s Bandra center in suburban Mumbai. “I
was informed about Father Joseph H. Pereira’s works and Kripa by my colleagues
at Luxembourg
The envoy was
welcomed at Kripa Bandra by Fr. Joe and his delegation consisting of senior officials at Kripa including Bosco D’Souza,
National Program Director, Dr. Snehal Mehta, Director-Psychiatry, counselors
and staff at Kripa Bandra. Ambassador Stronck also met patients recovering from
drug and alcohol addiction who are residing at the Bandra facility. Patients
briefed the ambassador on their addiction and the effectiveness of the Kripa
Model of Recovery.
Fr. Joe pointed out,
a majority of patients admitted at Kripa across all its centres in India range
within the age group of 18 and 50 years. Father William Athaide, Parish Priest,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Bandra, Mumbai also attended the event. Fr.
Joe availed the opportunity to thank Fr. William and the Mt.
Carmel church parish for their generosity towards the Kripa Bandra facility and
noted that Fr. William plays a key role
in helping Kripa and it’s patients. “Fr. Willie is loved by all patients at
Kripa Bandra for his kindness and generosity,” he added. Fr. Joe informed
patients about the exemplary contributions made by Luxembourg
Later, an audio-visual
presentation on Kripa and Fr. Joe’ achievement since its humble beginnings in
1981 was made by Bosco D’ Souza for the
ambassador. Fr. Joe recalled the dilemma he had faced in 1971 while being
ordained as a priest and his calling towards helping substance addicts and HIV/
AIDS victims while containing the epidemic. He detailed how Mother Teresa and
his spiritual director, Fr. Tony D’Mello had encouraged him to follow his
calling. “Exactly a decade later, in 1981, Kripa was established- hence
culminating Mother Teresa’s prophecy into reality,” he added. Dr. Shashi Menon,
Director-Medicine at Kripa, in the audio-visual, lauded how Kripa became a
pioneer in India in battling substance addiction while helping contain the HIV/
AIDS epidemic since drug users and alcoholics are considered as high risk
groups to contract the deadly disease. The audio visual also contained
testimonies of former Kripa patients some of whom are top professionals such as
physicians, engineers and IT experts and leaders in their various fields.
Following the visit
to Kripa, Fr Joe, Ambassador Stronck, Dr. Mehta and Mr. Bosco D’Souza enjoyed a
dinner at the world famous restaurant ‘Bungalow 9’ in Bandra (West).
Ambassador Stronck
gave his friend, Fr. Joe, a pleasant surprise: He asked Fr Joe to open a gift
wrap which contained a picture of Fr. Joe and Ambassador Stronck taken 24 years
ago, when the envoy, then holding a different position, had visited the Bandra
centre and later was part of a diplomatic delegation that had toured Kripa
Vasai, a facility funded by Luxembourg. “ I have longed to meet you again since
our first meeting nearly 24 years ago,” the ambassador, remarked. The reunion was very nostalgic for both as they
shared precious moments and talked about their respective spheres of work.
Owners of Bungalow
9, Mr.Anslem and Mrs. Leonys Pereira who hosted the dinner,
stated they were “ blessed and happy to
have Fr. Joe and Ambassador Stronck as their guests. Indeed a memorial day for
His Excellency and Fr. Joe in their bondage of friendship.
Submitted by
Ashwin Honawar
Collage
Newsdesk
