Indian village extends thanks

By Elizabeth Lillis
AN INDIAN priest is visiting Australia to thank those who helped build 27 new homes in his village.
Father Joseph Chowrappa has travelled from his village of Gokute in southern India to meet with church communities, companies, schools and individuals who have assisted his parish community.
“I’ve come to say thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said.
Fr Joseph has spoken to school children at local Catholic schools about life in India and the difference the help from Australia has made in his community of approximately 135 families.
He said it was a joy to meet and speak to the students, particularly the students from St Francis Xavier College, Berwick, who raised money to build two of the homes in Gokute.
“It was good to say thanks from my parish of St Francis Xavier to the school,” he said.
Fr Joseph said the work in his community has been a journey of hope.
“Any journey should bring a result and this has made the impossible, possible,” he said.
Berwick woman Judy Wardale, who has led efforts to assist the people of Gokute, has set up a charity called Sunshine Australia with the assistance of a core group of 12 supporters.
Mrs Wardale said the work at Gokute had developed from an effort to build houses into a community development program for the village linked to Fides India -the Fransalian Initiative for Developmental and Education Services in India.
Mrs Wardale said Sunshine Australia would like to build a creche and two houses, get a vehicle for the parish and begin a health education program in the village.
“In the case of an emergency, it is an hour trip to hospital but can take over an hour to find a vehicle to use to get there,” she said.
Mrs Wardale said the current creche building is riddled with asbestos and needs to be demolished.
Mrs Wardale said she personally ensures 100 per cent of the money raised is spent on the work for which it is intended.
During Fr Joesph’s visit, Sunshine Australia will be launched at Bollywood Supper Dance on Saturday, 17 February at the St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield.
“Fr Joseph’s visit is to say thank you and be here for the launch. It is not to go home with a bag full of money,” Mrs Wardale said.
Fr Joseph also hopes to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground during his stay.
Fundraising activities at the dance will include the auction of a Teddy Bear signed my members of the victorious Ashes team including Shane Warne.
Other items, to be auctioned or raffled on the night, include a length of Indian silk, Indian gold bangles, a grandfather clock and engraved bohemian glasses.
Tickets for the dance which include a meal of both Indian and Australian food are $25 per adult, $50 for a family of four.
For tickets call Judy on 9707 3386.