The Franciscan Province of India has been addressing the social needs of HIV/AIDS people of the Dindigul District since 2007. The “Franciscan Life Affirming Movement of Empowerment” (FLAME) initiative is a social organization committed to improving the lives of the men and women affected by HIV/AIDS thru awareness and education programs.

Children with HIV/AIDS face terrible social stigma from society at large. The FLAME initiative offers counseling support, education programs and residential care for up to 50 children in a converted farm house known as Paasa Illam since 2014.

In 2021, the Franciscan Province of India requested a grant to drill and construct a well for the Paasa Illam house. The existing well was no longer supporting the needs of the house.  The friars were buying water from mobile sources. The sourced water was not always usable. The children that live there and over 200 men and women who visit, for three days, once a month needed fresh water for cooking and drinking.

Thru the good will and generous donations of our benefactors, Franciscan Missions awarded a financial grant to build a new well for the Paasa Illam house. The construction of the well, the installation of 200 meters of pipe lines and the construction of an above ground storage tank took nearly three months to complete.