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The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions have 12 communities in Bangladesh. Three of the communities are in the city of Dhaka. Dhaka Bandarban Bagerhat Chittagong Diang Golla Hashnabad Natore Rangamati Srimongal
Mission To The Tea Gardens' Children of Srimongal Our Sisters
have been working in Srimongal since 1973, as a Team with the Holy Cross
Fathers. There are 35 tea gardens belonging to different companies in
this region. The daily income for workers in the tea gardens is less
than 50 cents per day.
Photo: These young Srimongal have little future, unless they are educated enough to leave the tea gardens
St Euphrasie Girls’ High School -
Bangladesh HELPING THE POOR TO BECOME INDEPENDENT Everywhere in Bangladesh the Sisters have given a home in their convents, and an education and often jobs to some orphaned children. One of the orphan boys who had lived all his life with the Sisters in Dhaka married a couple of years ago. He had some savings from his work and from the gifts at the time of his marriage but the girl he married was also an orphan. They decided to live in rented accommodation near the convent so that he could continue to work for the Sisters. When his wife had a child and was unable to work they found that his wages were all going on their rent. With careful planning, and the financial help of the Sisters, their savings were use to buy a small piece of land and build a small house so that they will never have to pay rent again. With just the three of them at the moment they will even be able to rent out a room of their new home to generate a little extra income with which they hope to start a little business and pay the Sisters’ money back. What happiness this step towards independence has given this poor family!
The First RNDM Orphanage in Bangladesh Our first RNDM foundation in Asia was in Chittagong – it was
established by Euphrasie Barbier herself in 1883. The Sisters are still on the same site,
just over the road from the Bishop and the parish church.
Project : BAN-1 : Education of children from the tea gardens, Sreemongal Our Sisters have been working in Sreemongal since 1973, as a Team with the Holy Cross Fathers. There are 35 tea gardens belonging to different companies in this region. The daily income for workers in the tea gardens is less than 50 cents per day. Poverty is endemic. The local authorities have no intention to educate the workers’ children in case education would enable them leave this bonded work. But the parents are very eager to send their children to school. In small schools in the gardens Catechists teach the children the catechism, the alphabet and some words and sentences in Bengali – that is all. A few children, with much difficulty, reach the year V standard in the local schools and try to continue their education in the town schools. The Sisters travel around the district helping with the catechism and the education of the children and trying to encourage some self-sufficiency projects among the adults. Now they would like to help the few who have the ability to further their education by providing for their school fees and books. The amount available locally is US$ 167. The request to RNDM Solidarity is for US4833. Project : BAN-2 : Education of tribal girls, Rangimati Our Sisters have been working in Rangimati since 1959. They have a hostel where 50 tribal girls from the interior areas of the Hill Tracts are accommodated, because education facilities in their own area have not yet been developed. The sources of income for their parents is primitive and limited, so the Sisters are supporting these children with social, moral and spiritual formation in their primary school. However, those who can cope with higher education must go on to the Government schools and so the cost of their board and school expenses must still be found. The local contribution could be about US$1500. The request to RNDM Solidarity is US$3,500. Project: BAN-3 : Education support for the children of cobblers and fishermen, Bagerhat Our Sisters have been working in Bagerhat since 1995, giving social, moral, spiritual and pastoral care to the new Christians, Hindus and other denominations. These people earn their living mostly by mending shoes and fishing from nearby rivers, but their income is very small. They live almost from hand to mouth; at one time they were considered as untouchables. A catechist was engaged by the local Bishop to catechize them as well as to give some basic education to their little children but due to poverty, neither the children nor the parents showed much interest in learning. However, soon after our Sisters’ arrival the peoples’ interest and attitudes changed and the number of children has increased from 50 to over 200 – nursery to class II, ages 5 – 10. The children are very eager and interested in learning; but their parents are unable to buy books, exercise book, pencils etc. The chance of education would help them change their livelihood and get established in society. The local contribution is US$350. The request to RNDM Solidarity is for US$3650. Project BAN-4 : Support for the education of an orphan boy. Bikash Benedict was bought to the convent at six months of age, because his parents could not afford to pay for the treatment of his skin disease. A boy child is very precious to the Bangladeshi and would not normally stay long in an orphanage. He was twice taken by families but both times ended up being ill-treated. Finally a Sister, finding him like this, got her own poor family to take him and he has developed a great affection for them. Now he is 14 and studying in class IX, but this family cannot afford the extra expense of his education. The local contribution for his education could be US$137. The request to RNDM Solidarity is for US$288. RNDM Solidarity is planning to support this project for 2006, but it would be ideal if a sponsor could be found who could give regular financial help so that his future can be assured. Can you think of a possible benefactor for this young man? Please contact Sister Dorothy Gomes, Provincial Superior Bangladesh. Project BAN-5 : A deep well and pump for St Peter’s Orphanage, Chittagong. During the year in Chittagong there is often a water problem, because the Orphanage has no deep well and has to depend on the City Corporation. Without water, sometimes for one or two days, our 35 babies and 38 girls face a lot of difficulties especially because of the hot climate. A deep well and a pump would be a great help in this difficult situation. There is no local money for this. The request to RNDM Solidarity is for US$2000. Donations can be made
by contacting fundraiser@rndmgen.org
or any RNDM Sister For more articles on Bangladesh click the following links: Newsletter #2/00, Newsletter #4/00, Newsletter #3/01, Newsletter #3/02, Newsletter #4/03 Go To Page 2 of Bangladesh
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Bangladesh ceremony
Bangladesh
Community of Sisters
Sisters Monica and Asha visit the family as they are
moving in.
