Thursday, 24 February 2011

cappuccino in Kerala

Not the cup of coffee.  The monk.  2 of them actually, so I suppose I should change the title to cappuccini.  They arrived yesterday in their long brown robes with the pointed hoods.  Not really what you expect to see in a - if not luxurious, shall we say comfortable - resort. I was watching them going around looking holy.  One of them says "God bless you" to everyone who passes. 


My Swiss neighbour explained.  A capuchin monk, Fr. Bernadine started an orphanage in 1989.  There are many "orphans" in India.  They are orphans because they are illegitimate and their  mothers cannot afford to keep them, or they come from the poorest of families and are given up to the orphanage because their parents know that they will be fed there.  Fr. Bernadine had the bright idea to offer accommodation to tourists as a way of raising funds for the orphanage.  The project grew and the hotel grew too.  


The monk I saw strolling around was Fr. Bernadine with a younger colleague.  They also have 2 nuns in tow.  The nuns are old.  They are now starting a project teaching or training girls.  I am glad that the profits from my "holiday" goes to support such worthwhile projects. You can read about the charitable projects here

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