Goa churches light up in blue in support of autism awareness week

Sangath Centre for Child Development kicked off the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday.

Panaji:  Se Cathedral in Old Goa, Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji, Rosary Church in Navelim, and Holy Spirit Church in Margao joined landmark buildings, bridges and towers around the world as they lit up blue on the evening of April 2 to mark the World Autism day.

Sangath Centre for Child Development kicked off the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday with a community awareness walk from Utorda beach to Colva beach in South Goa.

A number of schools from Salcete joined the campaign for the first time as the Sangath team spread the message of the spectrum disorder that affects more than five million children in South Asia. A short film on the science and symptoms of autism was screened and street plays performed along the way to sensitize people about the difficulties persons with autism have in experiencing the world around them.

The churches with its blue lights in the evening sky beckon the faithful to empathize with the children affected by autism.

Source: Times of India