In the dilapidated building’s one-room house, at dusk, Sister Mercy Vadakkumcherry and Sister Ancy Mappilapparambil entered. They found a child about five or six years old there.
“Is your meal ready?” Sister asked him.
“Ya…”
“What is the curry?”
“Salt and ghee.”
“Who made it?”
“Sis.”
At that moment, a ten-year-old girl appeared after taking out a torn cloth hanging at the door. She was the ‘sister’!
These children were the offspring of a sex worker in Ernakulam city.
The sisters met the woman while working to rehabilitate sex workers by providing them a better life. Over time, they realized it was practically impossible to make these women completely abandon the sex trade. Despite the various struggles that led them into this profession, most of them were not ready to leave. Fear of being rejected by their families and society, as well as the hesitation to give up their income, were the main reasons. However, the desire to protect and provide a better life for their children was for them a priority. Therefore, the sisters decided to focus on saving the next generation and began inquiring about and searching for the children of these women.
Witnessing their children move forward to a better life, the mothers, once trapped in their dark paths, now find meaning in their own life. The sisters believe that their service has given light to the lives of these mothers.
Over the years, the sisters successfully found nearly 100 children, took them to hostels, and provided them with education. Today, some of these children are nurses, pilots, accountants, and overseas workers.
Witnessing their children move forward to a better life, the mothers, once trapped in their dark paths, now find meaning in their own life. The sisters believe that their service has given light to the lives of these mothers.
The sisters presented the dream of schooling to the two children mentioned earlier, and they were overjoyed. With just a decent pair of clothes, the children left with the sisters and were admitted to the church’s hostel and school.
In 2008, during the Jubilee year of the Religious Congregation, a suggestion to find new ways of serving the needy was raised within the community. Subsequently, Sister Tekla SABS, the then Provincial Superior of Ernakulam SABS Province, asked who would be interested in working among the poor. Sisters Mercy Vadakkumcherry and Ancy Mappilapparambil, both of whom were teaching in schools, immediately agreed to embark on this new mission.
The sisters were given all the necessary support for this new area of work. They explored various options and eventually entered the field of rehabilitating sex workers, a domain few had ventured into. They partnered with the ‘Suraksha’ agency, a government-supported initiative for sex workers, and received permission to work with them. Initially, their interactions with sex workers were not successful as the women were not ready to trust social workers, especially the sisters. Most of them were not interested in leaving their profession, but the sisters did not give up. They continued to visit them, talk to them, and gradually created awareness that they were there to love and help, not to judge or harass.
Once the women realized that the sisters cared for them, they began to share information about their children and their dreams.
As a natural extension of their service to sex workers, the sisters also reached out to HIV-infected individuals. Although there is little public awareness or discussion about AIDS today, many still live with HIV. Many women come to terms with their HIV-positive status only when they go for a blood test during pregnancy. These young girls are often infected by their husbands.
When their families find out, they are often thrown out of their homes, forced to live in rented spaces. They must find money for medications and treatments. The sisters visit these suffering individuals, providing comfort, encouragement, and inspiration to live. They arrange care for their children, providing food, shelter, and clothing, often seeking help from others.
The primary sorrow of these individuals was that they had no family. Today, the sisters say, “They consider us as their family.”
The work with HIV-infected individuals led the sisters to extend their efforts to drug addicts. The use of syringe in taking drugs plays a significant role in the spread of HIV. Now, sex workers, HIV-infected individuals, and drug addicts are all under the care of the sisters.
Sister Ancy, who began this work with Sister Mercy, was later appointed Provincial Superior of Ernakulam Province. Other sisters joined and rotated in the mission, with Sister Seena currently working alongside Sister Mercy. Sister Seena, who had taught for over 30 years at Koratty L.F. School, chose this new path of service.
The religious congregation does this work under a separate trust named “Sannidhyaam” (Presence). These two sisters are tirelessly dedicated to their work day and night.
To date, they have built over 40 homes for destitute families, carried out repairs for many homes, and delivered essential items like food during Onam and Christmas. They also provide study materials, including computers, and help the women with income-generation activities like providing scooters and small businesses. All of this is made possible through donations received from various people.
It was under the encouragement and support of Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath, the then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, that the sisters entered this field of service. The sisters recall his constant support as the main strength that has kept them going.
Sister Seena says that their work is empowered by a two-hour prayer session at 3 a.m. every day. This prayer, for both the recipients and the givers of help, and for their mission, gives them the strength to continue working tirelessly. After prayer, they are inspired and filled with courage to face the challenges lying ahead.
The sisters humbly recall that no one ever refused help when they went seeking assistance. They approach the Provincial only when they had no other option. The support from the Church is always there.
While seeking help for the poor, they have always found good cooperation from various government offices. One such experience at the Registration Office remains memorable. A person was given three cents of land for free to build a house. The paperwork for the registration was filled with many complications, but the officials resolved everything, registering the land in the beneficiary’s name. When they informed the recipient that the land was now officially theirs, it brought tears of joy to someone who never imagined she would ever own a piece of land. The officials themselves were moved to tears. They later joined in the effort to build the house.
Despite the challenges and hard work, the sisters say the satisfaction they get from this service is beyond words: “This is the service we feel called to do. Many more sisters should step out and come into such fields.”
The primary sorrow of these individuals was that they had no family. Today, the sisters say, “They consider us as their family.” The women now call the homes the sisters live in as their own “ancestral homes.” They visit occasionally, interact with others, enjoy good food, and bring essential items like pocket money, which the sisters keep aside for them. Their joy of visiting their “family” during these visits is enough to make them happy until the next meeting.
Despite the challenges and hard work, the sisters say the satisfaction they get from this service is beyond words: “This is the service we feel called to do. Many more sisters should step out and come into such fields.”
The construction of the 41st house for a poor HIV-infected family has already begun. The sisters need to raise funds for this. They also have to visit the children in the hostels and cover their expenses, provide for medical costs, and visit hospitals. Since many of their beneficiaries are HIV-infected, some matters must be kept confidential. Carrying the burden of endless responsibilities, the two sisters continue their journey with the faith that divine grace will guide their way.
Leave a Comment