| Status | : | House |
| Foundation | : | 2010 |
| Diocese | : | Sivagangai |
| Specific Apostolate | : | Mission Parish & Social Apostolate |
The community of Claret Aham, Sambai is located in the rural setting of Sivagangai Diocese. It was canonically erected as ‘Residence’ on 12 th July, 2010. It is now erected canonically to the status of ‘House’ on 16 th October, 2020. The specific apostolates of the community are Mission parish and Social apostolate. It undertakes three apostolates.
1. Parish Ministry: The parish at Sambai comes under Sivagangai diocese. The people here are socially and economically backward. The parish was bifurcated from Karankadu and was blessed as a new parish on 12th May 2012 and was entrusted to the care of Claretian Missionaries. It has three substations namely Chinnamadam Thoppu, K. K. Pattinam and Soliyakudi. It has 143 catholic families.
2. Alternative Therapy (Reflexology): After five years of pastoral ministry in the parish, the Province decided to begin foot reflexology (the alternative healing therapy). The community after the small beginning witnessed a great healing ministry through this therapy. It has now become a place of healing. Many patients take treatment every day with the help of two trained women staff (therapists).
3. Women Empowerment Project: Women empowerment has become the slogan of the day. The women even today undergo gender inequality and threat to freedom and dignity. The community of Sambai wanted to uplift and empower the women from all forms of discriminations. Therefore it started this project under the name of “Marutham Mahalir Mandram”. It has made ample efforts within their capacities to be louder in their own society. There are five different economic activities managed by five different groups. The purpose of these activities is: women have access to the economic resources generated on their own not depending on their partner, strengthening the leadership quality and self-esteem, improving their power status within their family and allowing them to decide by themselves. The economic activities are; Supplying drinking water, Rentals of furniture and utensils for celebrations, Snacks making, community shop and Fish breeding. The project continues to evolve in a given condition through the tireless hard work and cooperation of the women.
