1. What’s special about Kerala? It’s Fr. Joe Thundiyil Chacko’s (our inspiration and mentor) home state. His family lives in the Changanacherry area Many of India’s Catholic priests and nuns come from here It’s called “God’s Country” and a model of how all of Abraham’s 3 faiths (Jews, Christians, Muslims) ought to live together and interact

2. The State of Kerala is located on the south west coast of India

3. Inhabited for over 5000 years Small principalities prior to British rule 28 states & 7 territories set mostly along language lines Formed only 60 years ago @ British Departure East & West Pakistan were carved out of the partitioning of the India sub continent… E. Pakistan became Bangladesh which to this day contributes to the Pakistan-India friction

4. Kerala 32 Million people – slightly less than California 15,000 sq-mi Slightly larger than Maryland highest literate rate 91% & life expectancy at 73 years, but lowest birth rate Malayalam is main language Jewish settlements in 573 BC St. Thomas visited around 52 AD Portuguese, then Dutch controlled area 1498 -1741 Most Christians follow the Syrian (Orthodox) Catholic rite Poverty rate is 10%

5. Changanacherry is ~2 hour ride from Airport in Kochi Portions of Vembanadu Lake reclaimed for rice paddies & is called Venice of the East Nehru Boat races held annually on the lake

6. Kerala Religions Hindu, 57.4% Muslim, 23.3% Christian, 19.3% For more on Kerala, go to: www.kerala.comwww.kerala.com