(AND – Kathmandu) – The pictures of Nepal devastated by the earthquake, “that made so many people unhappy” says Sr. Aquila Phawa, are still in the eyes of everybody. The Daughters of Charity (FMA) got immediately involved in the relief works in collaboration with the Salesians. “We have been to the inland villages. This work of mercy and love brought us closer to the people of Nepal and stimulated us to do more for “the poorest of the poor” who do not have a house and do not have anything to feed their children”.

“Many have lost everything. The population is in urgent need of a shelter, of food and of rehabilitation. “The children do not have schools to go to”, said the sister to “Vatican Insider”.

Salesian Sisters arrived in Nepal in 1997 and immediately started to collaborate in the Jesuits’ school in Jawalakhel. The sisters started their work with “reason and love. As years went by, we realized that the lack of a good education and of knowledge of a specialized formation made the lives of many girls vulnerable in society”.

In order to favour instruction and involve young girls who were orphans and in difficult situations, the Salesian sisters bought a land in Thecho, close to the capital. There, in 2001, they opened a youth hostel that welcomes 28 girls Christian and non-Christian. By the hostel, a tailoring workshop was also opened for 15 women and young mothers who could not conclude their studies. Thanks to this formation, many today are able to have a job of their own. In the evening a teaching center was also started for the poorest children.

Besides the formative aspect, the FMA sisters are also called to pastoral animation in parishes and to visit the students’ families in the villages, because in this way “we know how they live and the challenges they have to face in their daily life”.

People are sociable, used to living in a simple way, and women in particular are used to hard work. The youth however are easily attracted by mass media and imitate the western stiles of living, which is giving rise to disparities.

Nowadays – the sister concludes - “a long way” lies ahead of the country “to write a better future”, one which offers “ample space for evangelization and the preaching of the Gospel”.

The presence of FMA sisters and of religious engaged in the promotion of the condition of women in the country is necessary more than ever: this is also proved by the recent Police operation which led to the arrest of a large band of dealers who trafficked Nepalese women in western countries. In his recent trip to Europe, Fr. George Menamparampil, SDB, discussed with the Superiors of the Congregation and with foreign benefactors about the possibility of realizing specific programs for the formation of women.

Published on 05/08/2015