An Indian Capuchin priest uses social media to build mini-homes for the poor.
Since 2018, Father Jijo Kurian, together with his collaborators, has constructed about 350 low-cost houses in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
According to him, the majority of support for the housing units comes from social media followers, local and international friends, and good Samaritans.
Initially, he built low-cost cabin houses. Later, he transformed them into a mini-home, a 420-square-foot, two-bedroom house with a kitchen, toilet, and entrance.
Each house costs about US$ 5394.
The team housing project keeps updated progress reports for donors and others through social media posts and other means of communication.
"The initiative staff does not approach donors or beneficiaries directly. We accomplish all this through social media interactions and networking, considering all safety precautions," the priest said.
“We do not solicit funds directly from anyone,” Father Kurian added.
According to him, beneficiaries of the housing initiative include economically backward families that are not part of the government’s welfare programs.
The management carefully selects eligible beneficiaries, including widows, bedridden patients, those with disabilities, mentally or physically challenged members, and cancer survivors. Moreover, beneficiaries come from anywhere, regardless of religion or social category.
When the initiative's intended beneficiaries receive completed houses, there are no photo opportunities or publications to protect their privacy.
The housing initiative will go on as long as there are sponsors, says Kurian
