With great enthusiasm and eagerness to know our Roha mission, Alice and myself arrived at Roha on 22nd January 2023. Sr. Carmelita briefed us with all the activities of Snehavardhini social trust to give us an idea of the mission of Roha. 1000 families and 5000 people are benefited by their mission work. Importance is given to the areas of health, education, women empowerment.
On the following day, 23rd January we were placed in the play school. Teaching them, playing with them, interacting with them, making them do different activities etc were good experience. We had the opportunity to be in the play school for another 2 days. It was a reminder for me to be like little children, innocent, simple, pure and loving.
23rd January, being the anniversary of the canonization of St. Raphaela We had a beautiful Eucharistic celebration with the ACI family followed by supper. It was indeed a family get together.
On 24th January Sr. Aleena took us to Bhuvaneshawar village. There we visited few families and
distributed some dresses for the children which was donated by a well wisher from Kerala. We had the opportunity to meet the social workers. Many of them spoke about their experience of working with the sisters. In the afternoon we visited Nivi village with Sr. Prisca. There too we visited the families. In the evening we spent time with our hostel girls, helping them with English. After the class we interacted with them. They expressed their desire to make a trip to Kerala. Hope their dream come true some day.
On 25th January we visited Sambhe Village with Sr. Aleena. There too distributed some dresses. The social worker had arranged a welcome ceremony and gathering of the women. We were impressed by the warm welcome. In the evening we visited Pale Khurdh Village. They wanted us to attend the haldi Kumkum. The ladies had gone to Roha market to get the things. As we had Mass in the church we did not wait for the celebration. On our way back we met the ladies and they gave us banana and tilgul. We were happy to have shared in their joy.
On 26th January Sr. Aleena took us to visit Gregorian Public school. The principal and the director welcomed us. We were invited to attend the republic day celebration of the special school. It was not in our plan, but was a good opportunity to share the joy of those little ones who performed their best. In the evening we visited the parishners houses and Aswani’s house. We enjoyed the warmth of those simple people. We came back and attended the rosary, Mass and novena in the church. The community took us
out to have dinner.
On 27th January Sr. Pealy took us to Khilla village. They welcomed us with aarthi and took us around to see. It was an opportunity to know the simple life style of the people. In the evening we attended the novena and Mass in the church.
These 5 days were a good exposure to our Roha Mission. An experience lived is rich in itself. They were days where we experienced the welcome, hospitality, warmth, care and generosity of the sisters of Snehavardhini. With gratitude in our hearts we returned to Kerala.
Srs.Marina Kannikal and Sr.Alice aci
