Bilbao, Spain. India is one of those places of greatest commitment to “Proclade Yanapay” (NGO promoted by the Claretians in Euskal Herria). Its mission is the assistance and the development of individuals and peoples.

For this reason two members of Proclade Yanapay, Ana Rementería and Fr. Mateo Larrauri, CMF visited various projects in that zone, all of them served by the Claretian Missionaries of India.

These were 25 very intense days, especially in the meeting and dialogue with the people and Claretian of those places. Their welcome and hospitality were excellent. They are very attentive persons and of a praiseworthy service. On having covered so many places, the differences are observed, but, also, the common things were recognized: strong spirituality, intense labor, deep simplicity, daily happiness, interior spirit of being able to live through difficulties and suffering, hope in spite of the poverty and misery.

The social projects visited (House of Welsome for Children Affected by AIDS, Welcome Center for Unwanted Children, Care Center for the aged, Programs of Community Development, etc…) allows us to see the strong commitment of the Claretian Missionaries with persons and communities in social development.

Also visited were many boarding schools for children run by the Claretians, which promote the education of the children of marginalized classes: the tribes (without castes) and dalits (untouchables).

These projects will continue to be supported by “Proclade Yanapay” which, in the two visits, has been able to observe one of the essential features of these people: their gratitude. On behalf of them, “Proclade Yanapay” also thanks all those who make it possible to carry out social projects and the educational work of the boarding schools in India.