It has striked us again. The entire humanity has been hit by the COVID-19 disease with India being the most affected today. While people confined to their homes and hoping to go out, the combatants of this lockdown have not given up on us. Of all the lives that are being affected, around 3,26,098 cases have been reported by the WHO in the last 24 hours.
While we pray that the cases drop, on the other hand, this team of volunteers are making way to support the family of the deceased. The team is called “Here I am” which is organised by the Archdiocese of Bangalore that becomes relevant in today’s scenario. To be there in times of pain, need, and agony, the team began functioning in July 2020 since the first wave had hit the country. The team was eventually shut in the month of January, as the cases dropped and medical fraternities had given relief with handling of the dead bodies.
“As the second wave picked up, the results have been devastating. We needed to start again. Our Archbishop Peter Machado gave a free hand to the team to start again”, says Mr. Kantaraj, PRO. He says that the team decided to call upon youngsters and volunteers through a google form to join on to the mission. “We have 75 volunteers who work for us from different communities. We are working together on the basis of humanity, by reaching out to the people. God forbid if a person gets infected the whole family gets infected. So the entire family is crippled, not knowing which direction to go; being a source of a serious spread”
Santosh, Director, Here I Am Team says, “After requesting volunteers through google forms, we came across 100 respondents within 2 days. He says that they have also carried around 40,000 ration distributions for the community and the migrants. “We come across at least 20 to 40 corpses a day. The coffins are given out free of cost. We take every precaution for our team members with them following the operations, systematically. There are times I was unable to sleep. There was a case where a mother and daughter died on the same day. It’s painful.”
The team has carried out 15 to 20 training programmes which includes the procedures in the hospital, their roles and services along with fighting the fear complexes of the disease. The team has successfully been divided into four departments, with a main coordinator directing the others. “This can be carried out through a helpline to make a common source to different zones in Bangalore.All you need to do is give us a call, in which hospital they are in and alerting the cemetery”, says Mr. Santosh.
On the other hand, Father Rajesh, Assistant Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Church, Bangalore has carried out more than 600 dignified burials. Not just that, he tirelessly drives an ambulance with his team of volunteers to do the final rites so that the families can find solace. “In one of the situations, there were burials of different communities, where the families from home recited the final prayers, done purely in acceptable and agreeable terms in the community. From 1st April to 16th May, almost 617 bodies have been buried, which includes all communities. It has got one thing in common, i.e humanity. “, says Mr. Kantaraj.
“It’s a painful scenario, but god will bring us all together. By putting our resources together we will be able to see changes.” He recited a statement made by St Francis of Assisi: “Preach at all times; use words when necessary” Being a reminder that a single effort of such a group can be a shoulder to lend on to the ones who are in despair.
