Sister Latha – Fatima Nagar Trichy (India)
PROJECT 8 of 72
MISSION
Location
Diocese
Tiruchirappalli
Country
India
Continent
Asia
GPS coordinates
10.83042 78.67091
Time zone
UTC+5:30
CONGREGATION
Congregation
Motherhouse
Fatimanagar, Tiruchirapalli
Diocese
Tiruchirappalli
Country
India
Continent
Asia
Congregation Feast Day
3 July – Saint Thomas the Apostle
GPS coordinates
10.83013 78.67006
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Contact person
Sister Latha
Mother General
Sister Mabel Saroja
Website
TRAINING ORGANISATION
Location
Anghiari (AR)
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
GPS coordinates
43.54184 12.05702
Time zone
UTC+1
Start date
23/02/2022
End date
August 2022
Tutor
Massimo Redenti
REAL SPACE
Project manager
Sister Latha
Start date
19 October 2023
Type
Cutting and sewing
It was not easy to determine which social enterprise project should be developed once Sister Latha returned to India. Farming was considered first, followed by the production of sanitary pads, and finally a tailoring workshop for young women was launched. Sister Latha is dedicated to teaching and supporting them. In addition to this social enterprise, spazio + spadoni is also supporting the construction of a home for older people in India, which will be managed by the sisters of the Congregation.
Known to everyone as Sister Latha, she belongs to the Indian Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas and arrived in Italy on 23 February 2022. She was welcomed not only by the Governor of Misericordia di Anghiari, where she would complete her training, but also by her fellow sisters, who had established a community in Anghiari some time earlier at the Governor’s strong request and with the help of spazio + spadoni. Settling in was not difficult, and the language barrier was overcome with the help of the sisters already there.
In addition to the basics of first aid, her practical training focused on learning cutting and sewing techniques.
On 23 August 2022, Sister Latha returned to India, specifically to Fatima Nagar Trichy, a small village in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu.
Learn more Give drink to the thirsty From India: HIC SUM Project The Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas: Between India and Italy Sister Freeda and Sister Pravina: Let Us Tell You About Our Congregation The Works of Mercy of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas, India
Timeline
2022
23.02 | Start of the partnership
Sister Latha begins her experience at Misericordia di Anghiari
6-9.06 | Training
Specific training by spazio + spadoni at the San Cerbone Convent (LU)
01.07 | Training
Specific training in cutting and sewing techniques. The training took place in Anghiari
23.08 | Sister’s departure
Sister Latha returns to India
2023
19.10 | First funding disbursed
The funding was allocated both to launching the tailoring project and to renovating a facility that will accommodate older people in India
2024
03.02 | Production begins
The tailoring activity begins
September | Works of Mercy Training
All the sisters in the Province take part in training on promoting the Works of Mercy
2025
13.04 | Sewing course diplomas awarded
The sisters award diplomas to the young women who completed the sewing course and will soon be able to start their own businesses
10.11 | Diplomas awarded for the 2nd sewing course
The sisters award diplomas to the 15 young women who completed the six-month second sewing course
2026
02.07 | Mother General at San Cerbone
Sister Mabel Saroja, Superior General of the Congregation, accompanied by Sister Freeda, meets Luigi Spadoni at San Cerbone, the headquarters of spazio + spadoni.
Project evaluations
All evaluations
- May 2022
- February 2023
The idea of developing an agricultural project is abandoned, and the production of sanitary pads is considered - September 2023
After analysing the local market, the idea of producing sanitary pads is abandoned. Resources are redirected to launching a tailoring project - November 2023
Progress monitoring for the project - April 2024
Monitoring of the Social Enterprise and planning for promoting the Works of Mercy – OPERA M - December 2024
Financial report submitted - May 2025
Report submitted on activities promoting the Works of Mercy – OPERA M
Photos and videos
