I travelled to Mumbai on 4 th December 2022 with Rima for the Mission experience. Since the train was
not going to Mumbai we stopped at Roha for the night and continue the journey early in the morning.
Due to some inconveniences we reached Mumbai a bit late than we expected.
5 th December 2022 My first day of my mission experience I was with the skill training group in the
morning. I was happy to have the experience with the new initiative of Dilkhush with 12 trainees. The
dedication of the skill trainer was remarkable. She was very attentive to each of them not only to train
them but also to make arrangements to send them home. They were enthusiastic and pleasant about
learning new skills.
The next day I was in the crèche and preschool. Children were happy to play, dance, sing and eat with
us. We could see the joy in the face of the parents as they come to leave them in Premadhar, a safe
place where they can play and learn. In the evening we visited a few families of these children in Shivaji
nagar. They are very happy and contented even though they live in a small and congested place. They
welcomed us with tea and snacks. They were very generous and ready to share from their littleness. The
parents shared with us that their children improved a lot after coming to our palace.
We also had the opportunity to visit a BCC group in Royal hotel. Two youngsters accompanied us to all
the families. Apart from them there were many youngsters in that group and we were happy to meet
them. They were sharing their old glorious days they spent with the sisters and the support and
encouragement they had from the priests of the parish. We invited them to come and help in the
workshop for the exhibition and they were ready and willing to do it.
In the Workshop it was a great joy to see all the young adults working continuously for the exhibition.
Lots of life and colours were there in everything they make. They were all happy and thrilled. The talents
and the dedication of the teachers were superb. They were generous with their time and energy to
make the exhibition on 11 th a great success.
Exhibition on 11 th with all the communities, their teachers, students and benefactors went very well for
the whole day. All were united and worked hard for it. We are grateful to the Mumbai community for
giving us the opportunity to be there. It was a good idea to celebrate the 25 years of our Region. We
really had a good time with the sisters, children and staff. It was a home coming experience for me
because I was in Mumbai all through my formation.
We were also privileged to have the eco examen in one of the evening conducted by Sr. Kochu. Thanks
to all Sr. Bindu and Sheeba for making this possible for us and all the others at Dilkhush for
accommodating us and supporting us.
Mary Mulloor.aci
Along with Sr. Mary and Sr. Rima, I began my mission work from 5th to 9th December, 2022 at Dilkhush community. First two days, I visited the workshop. I was asked to paint but I had no idea about painting. As I entered the workshop, my mind was filled with past memories, the wonderful times I had spent in this space. I had not done any painting work then but as I was painting with the children, I was amazed to see their talents. Their smiles and hearty welcome made me feel at home with them. It was the first time I enjoyed painting with the children. I was deeply touched by their simplicity and energizing smiles. Teaching them Zumba dance was another thrilling experience. When they heard the song and music, they were very happy.
Though the steps were different, they felt free and kept dancing till the end. I really felt privileged amidst their presence. On the third day, we got a chance to share our mission work from our respective places, with a group of trainees at the Centre. We shared a power point presentation, letting them know the different works we take up in helping and building youngsters and families in our mission Centers. Even though the group of trainees is small, they were very alive and active. During our sharing, they seemed interested to know more about the work we do. It was wonderful meeting the trainees who showed great promise in doing the course with interest and were willing to help the special children to find their place and purpose in society.
We visited many families with the assistance of Sr. Suvarna, around the Shivaji Nagar locality. We were given a warm welcome and I was touched by the smiles on their faces. They were very happy with our visit, and felt free to share about their family situations. Later, we visited Nehru Nagar locality. It was totally a different experience. I found out that many families have come from different parts of India and have settled in this area for the purpose of finding a job. It was disheartening to see specially women, living and moving around with their children in difficult conditions.
They seemed happy when we visited them. I was touched by their welcoming spirit and hospitality. Though they are financially poor, I found them rich in their hearts. It was a learning experience for me. With the same group of women we gave an input session on the Topic, Life and the qualities of the heart. It was an interactive session where the women were open and happy to share.
Our mission experience also included visiting Mrs. Meena’s family. I had seen her during my formation days in Dilkhush but could not visit her. It was a great opportunity to visit and meet her in person. The smile on her face remained the same but the living conditions had changed. I realized that Mrs. Meena and her son are in a helpless situation. They are living in a big house but no one is there to attend to them regularly. As I was talking to her, I was touched by her simplicity and courage. I noticed that there was struggle within, yet the smile continued to remain on her face. Those few hours that I spent talking to her and cleaning some parts of her house, made me to think about how precious life is and how we take it for granted. I was glad to know that the Dilkhush community has taken this as their priority to visit them regularly and comfort her and her son. I really appreciate our sisters for their support and accompaniment in their difficult times.
Finally, I thank God for this enriching experience and pray for all whom I met during my mission visit. In Dilkhush School and workshop I see many positive changes with the efforts of our sisters and teachers who work together with great interest and dedication to the special children. I would like to extend my thanks to our sisters at Dilkhush for their hospitality and positive approach towards the poor. May God continue to bless us on our journey of life.
Jacklin Ghonsalves aci
I had very wonderful experience in Dilkush. I was very happy to be with the crèche and
nursery children. I was very much touched by their love, care, spontaneity, innocence, sharing,
joy and gentle smile. I was really happy to spend my time with little ones and to be like them. I
was reminded of the words of Jesus ‘the kingdom of God is hidden in the little ones’. The
kingdom of you will not enter unless you become like little children.
I was happy to give my helping hand in the workshop as they were preparing for the
exhibitions. I was touched by the warm welcome and love of the children and their joyful
atmosphere in the workshop. I was very happy to meet the teachers, non teaching staff and the
children in the school. I was really touched by their love especially from the teachers as they
were happy to meet.
The unique experience was to visit Nehru Nagar and Royal hotel. I was very happy to
visit Royal hotel especially the St. Michael zone. I was very surprised as people remembered me
though I did not have personal contact with them. I was really taken up by there warm welcome,
generosity, love and sharing from their nothingness and from their simplicity. The families were
very happy to welcome as and accommodate as in their small tiny houses.
I was so much taken up by the living conditions of crèche children’s family. As they live
in very poor conditions and the daily struggle they go through to live their life in Mumbai. Even
the safety of the children is really a question mark. The hard work they put in daily to live each
day at a time. By this experience I was reminded of the poor widow in the gospel who offered
out of her nothingness whatever she had, she offers to God. In the same little way, they
welcomed us in their small tiny house with lots of joy and happiness and shared with us
whatever they had with big generous heart.
I am grateful to Dilkush community for their love, care and availability. Thank you dear
sisters for your warm welcome and precious time.
Rima Nigrel.aci