Helping the Sriwichian Community
Caring, supporting and developing our local hill tribe community.
The Sriwichian village is where the Camillian Social Center Chiangrai’s work first began. It started in 1973, before the center was officially established, when missionaries started to nurse and support those that were suffering with leprosy. This then expanded to helping the children of our patients with their health and education, to where we are today – helping the poor, elderly and sick, providing moral and religious guidance and helping everyone in the community build a better life.
CURRENT STATUS
Over the years we have helped to develop the community. As well as health care; drinking water, farmland, a community church, and child and education support have also been established. We also hold many events each year.
PROJECT APPROACH
Our Fathers often conduct home visits to the villagers – in particular the poor, sick or elderly. When a villager is ill, nurse Sister Pauline D‟Souza is called to provide an examination. If we cannot treat them at the center, we will transport patients to the local hospital.
In addition, we hold regular joint sports days with the villagers to keep the community together and provide spiritual education, regular service and guidance at the community church.
SUMMARY OF 2021
Our support for the community that first established us remains strong. This year we continued to see the appreciation of our care through the local financial donations received at the church and the generous presents and donations brought for our children – both those with learning or physical difficulties at our Home of Charity and underprivileged children at our Home for Disadvantaged Children.
PRIORITIES OF THE FUTURE
We currently support most aspects of the community including health care, education, farmland and religious guidance. However, a key focus for us in 2022 will be to guide the community on how they can become more independent. As well as greater independence, we will be encouraging more of the villagers to work together, share knowledge and help others – in particular those in need. One of the ways we do this is through generous rice donations. We ask that those that have rice fields – often on farmland provided by the center – provide rice to those that are in need, such as the sick, poor and elderly.
