By Sch. Ivin Toby
This year, the scholastics of Nepal Region had an enriching experience with regard to the constructive interventions of the Nepal Jesuit Social Institute, thanks to the brilliant planning of the RCF and the Director and team of NJSI. The scholastics left for NJSI the very next day after the Region Days – 2019. Fr. Roy Sebastian SJ, the director of NJSI, welcomed the scholastics and introduced the entire team of NJSI, whose unparalleled dedication and desire to strive for the uplift of the marginalized struck a chord with the scholastics. After a detailed presentation of the structure and functioning of NJSI, the scholastics were divided into several groups under the guidance of a Jesuit. The scholastics were sent to the adjoining villages of Katmandu, where under the aegis of NJSI, various projects are being implemented. Some of these villages were Rasigula, Ilampu, Sindupalchowk, Kavre and Jaretar etc. The aim of the expedition to these far-flung villages was for the scholastics to see for themselves the interventions of NJSI and to get a first-hand feedback from the beneficiaries.
It was heartening to see the changes brought about by NJSI in the lives of hundreds of villagers in the remotest corners of the country. Construction of houses for those who became homeless in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2015, construction of women’s center for village women, renovation of schools, construction of water tanks and providing entrepreneurship training for women and youth were some of the activities being spearheaded by NSJI. The scholastics went from house-to-house, seeking the feedback of the beneficiaries. Needless to say, all of them were all praise for the humanitarian assistance rendered by NJSI. On top of that, most of them came forward with their “wish list” like opening an “English medium school”, constructing new water tanks and house, which they believed NJSI could deliver in no time.
After their visit to the villages and spending a night there, the scholastics returned to NJSI for evaluation and sharing of experiences. The whole team of NJSI lent a patient ear to the sharing of the scholastics. It was evident from the sharing that the exposure to the villages had a profound impact on the worldview and outlook of the scholastics. Kudos to Frs. Roy, Arulanandam, Anil, Thomas and all other members of NJSI for organizing the exposure programme for the scholastics. NJSI strives to live up to its motto: “Reaching the unreached,” which the scholastics witnessed for themselves.
