Shortly before Christmas, Margarethe and Anna Näckler, two members of World Doctors Italy, returned from their mission at Mother Teresa's Home for the Destitute in Calcutta. Many people have they accompanied on their last journey through life. To many people have they given their last bit of dignity in life.

At first it was actually the husband and father, Erich Näckler, a flight rescuer from South Tyrol and founding member of the World Doctors Italy. Back in March 2003, he travelled to Calcutta to visit a project together with Norbert Pescosta, a doctor in the haematology department at Bolzano Hospital, to serve in the house of the dying.

In November 2003, his wife, Margarethe Neulichedl, a nurse and mother of their four children, followed him. She fulfilled her long-awaited dream of working as a volunteer in Mother Teresa's Kalighat/Dying House. Since then, she has returned to Calcutta at regular intervals. She cares for the poorest of the poor, those who live on the streets in unimaginable conditions and who would die there from their illnesses in utter misery and without dignity.

From the very beginning, her father Karl, a mountain farmer from South Tyrol, accompanied her to Calcutta nine times to wash and feed people in the same facility and lovingly accompany them on their last journey. He also worked several times in an orphanage in Calcutta, where he washed, ironed and cleaned the orphans' clothes with great dedication. In 2017, granddaughter Anna joined her grandfather, her mother and cousin Franziska on her first mission.

When grandfather Karl passed away in 2022, Anna decided to follow in his footsteps. As a new member of World Doctors Italy, she travelled to India for the third time in October 2023 to assist the sick and dying together with her mother. Each time they also visit the homes for street children and disabled people that World Doctors Italy set up 20 years ago and still support thanks to the help from South Tyrol.

The president of the association, Toni Pizzecco, knows how valuable this family's great helpfulness is. "They do this out of deep faith and conviction for pure charity. We see the Näcklers not only in India, but also here in South Tyrol, where they help people in need. Together with the parish of their village they give their contribution in integrating migrants, they help with the distribution of clothes and other activities. Thank you Näckler family!"