Children of the
Mountain
 
When they lost what they had
SVD PRESENCE IN RAIGARH, MAHARASHTRA
In the
year 2002, the SVD South India Province was bifurcated into the
(INM) Mumbai and (INH) Hyderabad Provinces. The bulk of the
traditional mission areas in Andhra Pradesh went to the
Hyderabad Province; formation houses and specialized
institutions remained with the Mumbai Province. The SVD being a
missionary congregation, the dire need for traditional mission
areas was felt from the very start in the Mumbai Province. In
the past couple of years various efforts were made to find a
suitable place to work with the poor and the marginalized,
especially the tribals and dalits. At last, after many
ups and downs, these efforts bore fruit.
Easter
Tuesday, the 18th of April was a historic day for the
INM Province as a formal contract was inked between the Mumbai
Archdiocese, led by HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL IVAN DIAS and the
Society of the Divine Word – Mumbai Province, represented by the
Provincial Superior FR. GREGORY PINTO. His Lordship BISHOP
AGNELO GRACIAS played a pivotal role in inviting and supporting
the SVDs in this venture. The Archdiocese, in collaboration with
the SVDs, has registered a Trust named Sarva Vikas Deepa
through which developmental programmes will be planned and
implemented. To begin with, two SVDs, FR. THOMAS SEQUEIRA
and FR. SURSINGH BANDOR, moved into Mangaon Town in
Raigarh Districton 13 th of June. Mangaon is about three hours
by train from Mumbai on the Konkan Railway line and on Nh 17
towards Goa. There are about 150 villages in the Taluka. The
main tribe is Katkaris who live a semi-nomadic life.
After the first crop they leave their villages with their
children in search of construction labourers jobs in big cities.
Poverty and illiteracy is rampant in this area.
We will
bring you a regular update in the Frontiers of the development
and progress in this new venture of the SVD Mumbai Province.
Our heartfelt thanks to all our SVD Friends and Benefactors who
have supported us with their prayers and wishes.
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