Cardinal, Bishops to endorse plan for education of 20,000 kids

In a three day celebrations to be held in Italy, 12–14 October, a Cardinal, two Bishops and several priests from the country will endorse the plans of an Italian Foundation working in India to educate rural children.

According to Christian news sources, about 15 priests from India, Nepal and Mexico are expected to be present along with Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CSCI) at the concluding ceremony making the 20th anniversary of Fratelli Dimenticati (FD) Foundation at Cittadella in the province of Padova, Italy.

The foundation, last year, sponsored over 16,200 children in seven Indian states. "It is our ambition to help educate 20,000 children on the occasion of our 20th year celebrations,” says President of the FD, Fr. Claudio Bolla.

With the arrival of Christian leaders and missionaries at the event, the foundation hopes to be apprehended more about the pale situations and the support needed for the development in the field of education.

“With the slogan “If you think the cost of education is high, try cost of ignorance” we hope to get a whole lot of ordinary people to contribute and care for the less fortunate children who cannot go to school for lack of monies,” says FD Vice–president Mr. Gino Prandina, according to CBCI.

"We need Rs. 450 a month to help a child’s education and health care in India. About 80 per cent of the donor’s money is given for the sponsored children,” adds Prancing.

“Through these events we hope to bring as much knowledge about the needy people with whom we work and the importance of charity. Through testimonies of the many missionaries that are coming before and after the three–day celebrations, we aim to share with our donors the great deal they made possible with their sacrifices,” added the Vice–president, Mr Pradina.

India is one of the countries (along with the Arab states and sub–Saharan Africa) where the literacy levels are still below the threshold level of 75% but gigantic efforts are on to achieve that level.