Volunteers go on a transformative journey to Amritsar

Jan 03, 2025

From November 22 to December 1, a group of volunteers went on a mission trip to Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was organised by the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD) as part of their newly launched Missions initiative.

The mission commenced with a celebration of the Eighth World Day of the Poor at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Gumtala on Nov 24. The team sponsored and served lunch to 450 individuals who gathered after the morning Mass. Embracing the Punjabi tradition of Langar, where everyone sits together to share a meal, the volunteers fostered an atmosphere of equality and community.

After the communal meal, the team visited the local Missionaries of Charity, where the Sisters care for 19 women with various disabilities. It was inspiring to witness the comprehensive support provided to their small community, ranging from a chapel to a garden of vegetables and fruit trees. This visit was a reminder that the love expressed by these devoted women reflects the enduring spirit of St Teresa of Calcutta, whose mission to serve the marginalised continues through their unwavering devotion and nurturing hands.

Pingalwara, founded by Bhagat Puran Singh, is a 35-acre charitable institution dedicated to caring for the disabled, ill, impoverished, and marginalised. It offers a variety of facilities, including schools for children with special needs, a prosthetic centre, and a natural farm. Singh’s lifelong mission began with an act of kindness toward an abandoned disabled person, which grew into Pingalwara’s expansive services for the vulnerable.

During their time at Pingalwara, the volunteers were warmly welcomed by Dr Inderjit Kaur, the Patron President of the society. The hospitality and kindness of the staff inspired them to connect with the Pingalwara family. Despite cultural and religious differences, they discovered that love and compassion transcend all barriers, forging profound bonds through shared experiences.

Each day was filled with activities. Volunteers assisted in caring for children with special needs, providing gentle massages and sharing laughter through songs and games. They helped rehabilitate paraplegic patients, gaining insights into the importance of physical therapy in restoring hope. In the prosthetics workshop, they participated in crafting limbs for individuals from all walks of life. Engaging with adults at the special needs school enriched their experience with dancing and joyful conversations, while assisting in the central kitchen nourished not only bodies but also spirits, as they prepared meals for over 1,500 people daily.

Though their time at Pingalwara was brief, the bonds formed were deep and lasting. Each volunteer left with a piece of their heart intertwined with this remarkable community.

The trip was an awakening, teaching the volunteers that love, compassion, and selfless service can transcend cultural divides. Inspired by Pope Francis’s call to be pilgrims of hope, the volunteers returned with a renewed commitment to kindness and service, embodying the Sikh principle of ‘seva.’ Their journey exemplified how small acts of love can create lasting change and inspire future generations. --Magdalene and Bibiana