Author: Karen Laister

Bishop visits Mahamaya

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities, Visitors

Kolkata’s new bishop, The Right Reverend Paritosh Canning, who started his tenure in the summer, has already seen the work of CRS first hand in the city, but at the end of September he made a day trip to see some of the work in rural areas.

Exterior construction work on the expanded building at Mahamaya is complete, although the interiors still await finishing. Nevertheless it is already well used for activities for children and women.

Children filled an entire floor to welcome the guests, who were entertained with song and dance, and a meal. The Bishop was offered flowers and blessed the work being done by CRS in this village.

Archbishop of Canterbury learns about CRS on Kolkata visit

Karen Laister Nari Dana, Visitors

On 08 September 2019, CRS was greatly honoured by a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who was in Kolkata during a tour of India.

After giving a message during the Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Archbishop and his wife, Caroline, toured the cathedral grounds where the educational and social service activities of the diocese were on show.

 

It was a great privilege for the CRS Director, Rig David, to be personally introduced to the Archbishop and his wife.

It was a wonderful opportunity to explain the work of CRS and Nari Dana. He presented them with stoles embroidered by women from Nari Dana.

The Archbishop also blessed the new Nari Dana sales outlet, recently created in Bishop’s House.

 

New display area for Nari Dana products

Karen Laister Buildings and facilities, Nari Dana

At 51 Chowringhee Road, just across from St Paul’s Cathedral, stands a spectacular colonial building. This is Bishop’s House, the official residence of the Bishop of Kolkata.

The Right Reverend Paritosh Canning, who was installed as the new Bishop in June 2019, was introduced to the work of CRS at the start of his tenure.

He was very impressed by the Nari Dana project and has generously made space in Bishop’s House for a sales outlet for Nari Dana.

A small area has been fitted out with shelves where products can be displayed. With many national and international visitors and dignitaries passing through Bishop’s House this is a great way to showcase the skills of the women of Nari Dana.

Celebration for teachers

Karen Laister Celebrations, Children

The annual celebration of Teachers’ Day was held this year at the offices of Larsen & Toubro, the company that supports CRS through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Some of the pupils from the school at Hastings presented teachers with gifts, then there was a lamp-lighting ceremony and speeches, dancing by some of the children, and a play performed by one of the teachers.

 

Heartfelt thanks to the Canadian Friends of CRS

Karen Laister Canadian Friends, Fundraising

We are sorry to announce that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Canadian Friends of CRS recently dissolved as a group dedicated to supporting CRS.

We are very grateful for a decade of support by Sheila Johnston from Vancouver. After visiting Kolkata in 2010, she was inspired CRS’s work in education, the empowerment of women, and social justice issues.

She established the Canadian Friends of CRS to spread awareness about the needs of poor and marginalised people in India, and to raise funds for CRS.

The Canadian Friends channeled donations large and small from people across the country. The annual Penny Pot Tea, where supporters counted the small change they had collected through the year, was always a highlight.

Over the years they sent many thousands of Canadian dollars to CRS where 100 per cent of it was spent directly on projects.

The Canadian Friends also facilitated visits of the CRS Director and the Bishop from Kolkata to speak to local supporters; likewise individuals from Canada were privileged to visit CRS projects and see the impact of fundraising for themselves.

CRS would like to express thanks and gratitude to Sheila for her dedicated leadership; the other Directors – Sara, Keith, Roma and David – for their commitment over many years; and people across Canada who have given so generously.