Udupi: SAMPADA organizes Hair Donation for Cancer Victims and ‘Save the Mother Earth’ Competition

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 06 Mar 2021: As part of the International Women’s Day celebration, SAMPDA, Udupi organized Hair Donation Drive for providing wigs to women cancer victims and inaugurated ‘Laudato Si: Save Mother Earth’ Competition on Saturday, 6 March 2021 at 3 pm in Don Bosco Hall, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi.

 

The twin programme was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese. Other dignitaries on the dais included SAMPADA Board of Directors-Mrs. Shanthi Pereira, Mrs. Shaila D’Souza and Mrs. Jannet Barboza, Resource Person Dr. Soni D’Costa (BAMS) and President of Sugamya Jilla Mahila Okkuta Mrs. Pramila D’Sa.

 

Following the prayer and welcome address by Mrs. Judith D’Souza-Coordinator of SAMPADA, Bishop Gerald Lobo along with other dignitaries inaugurated the twin programme by lighting the lamp.

 

In her address Mrs. Shanthi Pereira highlighted the origin and significance of the International Women’s Day and pointed out the progress made and challenges faced by women throughout the world.

 

In his introductory remarks Fr. Reginald Pinto, Director of SAMPADA traced the progress made by women of the Udupi Diocese in self-help movement and also pointed out the importance of hair donation to meet the needs of women cancer patients. He also outlined the significance of ‘Laudato Si: Save the Mother Earth’ Competition in commemoration of the completion of five years of the Encyclical “Laudato Si” issued by Pope Francis on May 15 2015.

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo unveiled the poster and released the handbill of ‘Laudato Si-Save the Mother Earth’ Competition. 

 

In his inaugural message, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that Udupi Diocese through SAMPADA has taken a significant step in promoting environmental protection through the competition in which families, wards and institutions can take part irrespective of religious affiliation. It is an inclusive competition. Bishop Gerald Lobo said that the main objective of ‘Laudato Si’ Encyclical has been to preserve, protect and promote environment.  He further said that it is not necessary to carry on large scale projects to achieve these goals. Each individual and families can contribute in simple ways and acts to preserve, protect and promote the environment such as not wasting water and electricity, non-use of plastic, conservation of water, reduction in the use of combustible vehicles, etc. 

 

As many as 27 volunteers from different parishes donated their hair. Among them 7 were school children, the youngest being Greena Nazareth of Kanajar studying in third standard. 6 hairdressers from Impress Spa and Beuty Parlour-Udupi, Pearl Beauty  Care-Barkur, Jyothi Beauty Parlour-Shankerpura, Beauty Zone-Kanajar, Professional Beuaty Parlous-Bailur, Karkala and Maria Beauty Parlour-Kalmady helped in cutting the hair. 

 

As the hair donation drive was in progress, the resource person of the programme Dr. Soni D’Costa in her cancer awareness speech pointed out various types of cancer, causes of cancer and its symptoms. She further said that excessive use of cosmetics, erratic food habits, dangerous habits such as smoking, consumption of tobacco in various forms, alcohol and excessive processed food , lack of immunity, stress, etc are some of the causes of cancer. Persons who experience hardened tissues such as tumor, repetitive coughing, bleeding disorder, loose motion, excessive sweating, etc should consult the doctors and get themselves checked for cancer. 

 

The hair dressers as well as hair donors were honoured by Bishop Gerald Lobo and Fr. Reginald Pinto by giving them certificates and mementos respectively.  

 

Stanley Fernandes-Coordinator of SAMPADA proposed the vote of thanks and  Mrs. Lilly D’Souza compeered thee programme.

 

‘Laudato Si’:‘Save the Mother Earth’Competition

SAMPADA,the social development unit of the diocese of Udupi,has had,along with women-empowerment, ecology as one of its priorities.Rain-water harvesting, small pits, vegetable garden, medicinal garden, etc. have been carried out in order to save the environment of our district. Over the years theseactivities have become a part and parcel of the lives of our people.

 

Those who have competitive spirit can help to save the ecology of our district.‘LaudatoSi, Save the Mother Earth Competition’has been organized to protect our environment.‘LaudatoSi’, the encyclicalbyPope Francis,is the inspiration behind this competition.

 

The competition will be held in 3 categories:

1. Laudato Si Family: Any family living in Udupi District may participate in this category.

2. Laudato Si Ward: A group of 10 to 30 families living in one geographical area or in the flats of a building can participate. Here the ‘Leader’ of this group has to give in writing the names of the families participating in the competition.

3. Laudato Si Institution: Any unit ofnational/international organization, schools/colleges; clubs/societies may participate. 

 

Rules and Regulations:

1. Entry fee Rs 205/= is to be deposited in our Bank Account through NEFT/DD/Cash against a receipt in our office.

2. All the participants are required to register a Mobile Number which hasWhatsApp facility.

3. Each category has 3 prizes: 

I: Rs 10,000/=, a Trophy and a Certificate

II: Rs 7,500/=, a Trophy and a Certificate 

III: Rs 5,000/=, a Trophy and a Certificate.

 

All the participants will receive certificates of participation.

The Prize Distribution ceremony will be held in April 2022.

The competition will be held from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

 

Every month we will concentrate on one aspect. The participants need to carry out activities like: Rain water harvesting; Save water; Say ‘no’ to plastic, etc.The leader has to report to us, through WhatsApp, the implemented projectswith supporting photos. Our social workers/staff will visit the locations of the participants to check the progress of the projects Evaluation and assignment of marks will be based on the activities, their impact on ecology, the continuity of the activities, creativity, etc.

 

’Have you have taken care of nature in your vicinity and how much benefit have you reaped?’ is our concern. Let us protect the ‘mother earth’ in Udupi district, and hand her over to our next generation better than we found it. Any organization or person who wants to join us in our mission is welcome.

 

Contact Numbers: 9448158852 (Fr Reginald Pinto) / 9480023549 (Mr Stanley Fernandes).

 

Address: The Director, SAMPADA UDUPI, Bishop’s House, Mother of Sorrows Church Campus, Udupi - 576101.