We, the four postulants, along with our Mistress set out to Ashagad in Palghar district for a 6 days mission experience with the Warly tribal. There we were based in a convent of FHIC Sisters. It was their mission area, where they welcomed us and were very much taking care of us to get all the possible experiences in those villages. It was indeed an enriching experience for all of us.
Our first day’s stay was in Khare village, which is 65 km away from Ashagad. It is an interior area where in some villages there is no electricity. The families live in small hamlets made of twigs, mud & cow dung. We were fortunate to stay with them in one of the families to experience the reality of their life. They lead a simple life style & they are content with what they have.
The following day we went to another village ‘Dongripada’ and stayed 2 days there with one of the families. They are constructing their house and we enjoyed there in bringing stones from the jungle. We were touched by their hospitality. In their nothingness they take much care to treat their guests well. Their community spirit and closeness to nature are lessons for us.
We visited the Jeeve Dhara Asharam School and boarding, where the tribal girls are studying. They are talented in arts and dance. We taught them a Hindi song and they learned it fast. Fr. Avellino SJ and Sr.Theresa FHIC gave us a talk on tribal people, their lives and Warly art. It was very informative. We also attended a wedding ceremony in one of the villages. Each of us wants to summarize these enriching experiences.

Ashna Joseph: A dream fulfilled with this mission experience. It is the discipline and respect for others which I see in the boarding students that struck me most. During my stay with the family, I felt one with them as I shared in their work, carrying cow dung to the field to prepare for the plantation. Being with the simple and humble people I experienced poverty of life.
Another joyful experience was to pray Rosary with the family where all the neighbors also joined. The families gave their best while we were with them. Their simplicity, generosity and sacrificial spirit touched me. Their loving and welcoming attitude made me feel at home with them and to enjoy my stay. Unity is their strength. I learned from their simplicity, sincerity and respect. United with each other, we can do many things, which will keep us happy and joyful always. I am grateful to God for this mission experience which gave me more value in my life.
Margaret Soreng: Staying in the families of Advasie s was a touching experience for me. I experienced God in them, in their simplicity, hospitality, love and care. Though their house consisted of a single room, they were generous enough to spare that room for us to sleep and they slept on the veranda. They provided us with sufficient warm clothes to cover ourselves and they did not have for themselves. The experiences I had while praying with them tells me “though they are poor, their hearts are very rich: rich in love”. Their kindness, hospitality and simplicity are an expression of this ‘rich love’ which they treasure.
Stella Kerketta: It was a beautiful experience with the simple hearted people in the villages. I felt happy to experience the love and care of the people. To spend the night in an open place, on a cold night was a frightening experience for me. But the family gave sufficient warm clothes to protect ourselves during the night. Joining them to dig, to carry water from the well, to collect stones for the construction of their house etc. was good and enjoyable. I saw the value of working together. I experienced God’s presence in the people and his love and care through the family where we stayed. They were very generous and hospitable people. They like to dress up in green, red and blue which symbolize prosperity, passion and nature. Though their lives are simple, their hearts are full of love and respect, which unites them as one.
Ayana B Mathew: Without much expectation, I ventured into this mission experience, which was a long awaited event in my life. My stay with the families made me realize that even though they are poor, they shared whatever they have. Even without language, I was able to converse in the language of love.
I am taken up by the simple, loving and generous nature of the people. Within a short time a small boy ‘Ruthik’ became friendly and at the time of leaving, he said ‘don’t go, stay here’.
I felt at home, staying with the families. Helping them in their work, bringing water on the head, digging the mud, collecting stones etc. were my first experiences in life, yet it was good and enriching for me.
The shared special prayer which we had with the Sisters at the end of our experience summed up all that we experienced during our memorable stay in Ashagad. It was an opportunity to thank God and the Sisters and to remember all with a grateful heart.