Laudato Si' among the poor of Bihar

On World Environment Day, girls and women from Aashray Abhiyan-a program for the marginalized in this Indian state- paraded dressed in green through Patna and other cities to push for awareness about caring for the common home. Sr. Dorothy Fernandes: "Another world is not only possible but necessary."

Patna (AsiaNews) - Girls and women from the poorest neighborhoods together on the streets of the city to create awareness among people about the urgency of protecting creation, our common home, for future generations. 

This is the gesture in the spirit of Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Sì" that the Aashray Abhiyan - a program for the homeless and marginalized that assists more than 6,000 families in Patna and other parts of Bihar - promoted on June 5, in conjunction with World Environment Day.

Sr. Dorothy Fernandes - a religious of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, director and founder of Aashray Abhiyan - tells AsiaNews, "Dressed in saris, salwars and green shirts, we made an impact along the road as people looked at us and wondered what was going on.

Girls and women were enthusiastic as they walked around shouting slogans to create awareness among people. With banners and leafy branches in their hands, they made a plea to plant trees and conserve water, using it responsibly as the water level in Bihar is dropping."

"It was encouraging," continued Sr. Fernandes, "to see young people walking the streets and vigorously conveying their message. Some passersby stopped to try to understand why they were on the streets. Climate change is a concept we have heard about over the years, but without ever thinking it would be something we would experience. As the mercury rises and nature gives us a wake-up call: it's now or never.  This awareness and the encyclical Laudato Si' prompted us to take action."

"We have started Earth Clubs in different settlements," the nun further adds, "bringing young people together and reflecting with them on the world they envision, on what we need to preserve. I was amazed by their knowledge and awareness. Young people need to take action, so we thought of organizing this activity on World Environment Day.

The earth is being raped because of greed and insensitivity to future generations. Consumerist patterns must change. Another world is not only possible but necessary; we must all work to stop this madness fueled by an unlimited thirst for profit. The Earth cries out and appeals to us to be protected from our greed."

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