A partner that’s aligned with our vision.
This Seva Kendra Social Services Centre is part of the Catholic Diosceses of Bagdogra. It supports government and community and self-initiated social, educational and health programs for rural communities in the Siliguri sub-division of the Darjeeling District.
Over the first nine years of operation, HOI has established a good working relationship with the Centre during annual visits to India. When HOI became a Registered Australian Charity, the new HOI Board decided to explore a more formal relationship with Seva Kendra. So in 2015, the board sent a representative group, led by Noel Patterson, on a tour to Siliguri. Over a two-week period, the HOI group stayed at Sea Kendra in Pradhan Nagar and toured the Siliguri sub-district, visiting remote villages, schools, hostels/orphanages and hospitals closely linked with the Centre.
During this time, meetings were held with the new Director of the Seva Kendra NGO - Fr Felix Pinto, the Bishop of Bagdogora Catholic Dioceses, Bishop Vincent And, hospital, school and orphanage administrators and other local village elders in the region.
Noel Patterson provided a full report to the HOI Board following this trip. The report was accompanied by assurances from Seva Kendra and diocesan officials that, though it is a Christian faith-based entity, it does not proselytise. Furthermore, the Centre supports all members of the Indian community, endorses the Indian Government and its social initiatives and respects the religious and cultural differences in India, especially the Hindu majority.
Following the board discussion, it was determined that Seva Kendra Social Services Centre demonstrated the necessary qualities HOI was looking for as a partner NGO in India and formalised the agreement with the Centre.
Seva Kendra continues to be an exceptional organisation to partner with in India. They have been very responsive during COVID and have been able to provide the HOI Board with up-to-the-minute information on the situation in Siliguri, enabling us to provide appropriate support as this crisis unfolds. Their empathy with their community and responsiveness is exemplary and been consistent since our very first interactions with them.