by Leora Fridman

The Little Sisters of the Poor have no small task, regularly serving 215 homes for low-income elderly all over the world, including 6 homes gravely affected by the recent tsunami.

Although the current situation is extreme, sheltering Southeast Asians greatly in need is an everyday circumstance for this group. Asked about her work in the face of this natural disaster, Mother Celine Therese Vadukkoot reflected, “whenever tragedy, threats from the Tamil rebels, or other crises prompted people to leave their homes or made them homeless, they often would take refuge by the dozens around our Home where they felt safe.”

LSOP was founded in 1839 to provide for the elderly needy, particularly in communities where they are underserved. “We attempt to meet their psychological, spiritual, emotional, social needs and help them form relationships among themselves”

said Mother Vadukkoot in a recent press release. The group refutes euthanasia and puts great value in “do[ing] all that we can to respect and protect their life…until God calls them to death.” said Vadukkoot.

The religious order’s work is fueled purely by donations and the good will of its members. Better-off homes in Europe and the United States also “adopt” homes in poor countries, including India and Sri Lanka. “We collect ‘mission money’ from the sales of the Residents’ handicrafts and from free will donations to benefit assigned homes in the ‘missions’” said Vadukkoot.

Vadukkoot works at the LSOP home on Highland Avenue in Somerville, one of several in the New England area, and is in communication with the LSOP Homes in Southeast Asia as much as possible. “The first week was one of waiting, first to get word about the Homes of Madras and Tuticorin in India, of Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and of Colombo and Batticoloa in Sri Lanka,” she said, “our Homes all survived, but we are not yet aware of their condition.”

“Initially, some 1,000 sought refuge on our [Batticoloa] compound,” Vadukkoot noted, “it is always possible to share another crumb of bread.” While many refugees “are being settled by the government in tents huddled together,” Vandukkoot said and “twenty families are staying the compound until they find a place to live,” and stressed that “they remain in dire need of all the help we can send them.”

LSOP is always accepting donations, particularly for their homes in Southeast Asia. “All monetary donations will be collected at the Motherhouse in France and then sent to Sri Lanka when the required measures for getting the money to its destination can be secured. The Sister would greatly appreciate any aid, which can be sent to Little Sisters of the Poor at 186 Highland Avenue in Somerville, MA, 12143.  Proceeds from The Somerville News sponsored benefit concert at Toast Friday, Janaury 14^th will go to LSOP work in Southeast Asia.