More than 30 people attended a webinar hosted April 18 by Canadian Jesuits International (CJI), which gave supporters of Jesu Ashram an opportunity to see and hear about the impact of their support to poor and marginalized members of the local community in Matigara, India. CJI supports Jesu Ashram, a health care centre run by the Darjeeling Jesuit Province.

The informal webinar was held live from Jesu Ashram, and featured CJI Executive Director Jenny Cafiso and CJI Program Coordinator Juan Emilio Hernandez, and Fr Julius Kujur SJ, Jesu Ashram Director.  Cafiso and Hernandez are visiting CJI project partners in India April 12 to 22, 2023.

Cafiso and Hernandez shared some of the videos they took of Fr Kujur, Jesu Ashram staff and patients, and marveled about the growth and work being done at Jesu Ashram, which operates a leprosy ward, a tuberculosis ward, an outpatient clinic, and a nursing program for young women from poor and marginalized communities.

"We went to every ward and every corner of Jesu Ashram, which is a very big complex now, with more buildings," said Cafiso. "It was very moving to see the patients... but it is always shocking to see people suffering from diseases like TB and leprosy which are rarely mentioned or heard about in Canada."

Hernandez added, "We saw all the patients receiving their medicines, and the nurses making sure that they get it."

Fr Kujur explained that patients are called to the main hall to receive their medicines to make sure that they, indeed, take their medications as it is essential that they complete the full course of medication.

Some of the patients are children and youth ranging from four to 20 years old, he said. "It's very sad, but I'm glad we're able to do something, " he said. He underscored the importance of Jesu Ashram's free support for those who may not otherwise have received any medical care.

Cafiso and Hernandez also had a chance to visit the leprosy ward, where they saw for themselves how the cruel, but treatable disease can disfigure people's eyes, skin, nose, hands, and feet. Fr Kujur explained the level of care that in-patients get -- from the dressing of their wounds to the administering of their medications as well as regular visits from staff.  Jesu Ashram also administers skin tests in the community -- with early diagnosis and treatment, tuberculosis and leprosy can be cured.

Jesu Ashram staff are "very impressive," said Cafiso, as she showed a video of herself interviewing staff about their work. "I like to take care of patients," said one of them.

CJI Executive Director Jenny Cafiso, Jesu Ashram Director Fr Julius Kujur SJ, and CJI Program Coordinator Juan Emilio Hernandez during the April 18 CJI Solidary Webinar.

The webinar also focused on the three-year course on nursing that Jesu Ashram offers for young women from poor families who completed their high school education. When they finish the course, they can get jobs as community health workers or pursue higher education to become nurses in hospitals, said Fr Kujur.

"This opportunity can change their families," said Fr Kujur, noting that many of them come from the nearby tea garden community.

Hernandez agreed that the program offers a pathway for young women who may otherwise not have an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Kujur said many graduates are now able to help people in their villages when they get employed by the central government as community health workers.

Cafiso also showed a video of the solar panels that have been installed at Jesu Ashram, which were supported by contributions from CJI donors. "We are not worried anymore about power problems, they allow our work to carry on," said Fr Kujur.

Cafiso said CJI’s visit also discussed the future of CJI support for Jesu Ashram, since many of its donors are aging. “We talked about how to plan the future,” and what the path to sustainability might look like, “as donations go down,” said Cafiso.

Fr Kujur also accompanied Cafiso and Hernandez to the gravesite of Canadian Jesuit Brother Bob Mittelholtz, who set up Jesu Ashram in 1971 as a hospice and a home for disabled leprosy survivors.

"He was very dedicated, and he often said to me, 'if you do your work and do it sincerely, Divine Providence will help you," said Fr Kujur. He added that Brother Mittelholtz even taught him how to diagnose tuberculosis and administer tests for leprosy.

Brother Mittelholtz' sister, Sr Carol, was present at the webinar and offered a greeting. " I was privileged to go to India in 1984 and see what goes on at Jesu Ashram. On behalf of my family, I want to thank you all for the help you have all given to Jesu Ashram over these years."

Two Canadian parishes who have been loyal Jesu Ashram supporters over the years were also represented at the event.

Ro Debree, coordinator of the Harvest and Fall Sale at St Edward's Church in Duncan B.C., talked about how proceeds from the sale went to Jesu Ashram for over 30 years, and how they've had to end the event last Fall. "We've all gotten old," she said, but added that people are still supporting Jesu Ashram on their own.

Loretta Ayotte from the Lake Huron Catholic Family of Parishes in the Zurich, Southwestern Ontario, offered greetings from Brother Mittelholtz' hometown. "It's an honour for us to be associated with Brother Bob and to say he came from here. We are proud of what he has accomplished and the work that he has done in India," she said. "We're always happy to support that work that he has started at Jesu Ashram. Know that we will continue to support and pray for the good work you do in India."

You can watch the full recording of the webinar here. 

Learn more about Jesu Ashram, including how you can support its work here.