by Marie Rodriques for BIS Mumbai

The Salesian family members, Past Pupils and Salesian Cooperators of Mumbai Province visited the Jan Kalyan Trust at Mahad on October 19 and 20, 2024. 

Fr Sunil Munis the priest in charge welcomed the group. He briefed them about the history and the works carried out by them catering to the various needs of the Adivasi tribes in the region like Education, documentation, health and livelihood. In his briefing, Fr Munis told them about the most challenging situations they faced during the floods where 90% of the villages were wiped out. With assistance from various parishes and organizations they were able to help the people. He was very appreciative and thankful for the help they got from the Salesians and also for helping the boarders enroll in the technical courses offered at Chinchwad, Pune.

After lunch, Fr Godfrey Malu, the assistant priest took the members to visit a village and farm. He briefed them about the various farm produce. The centre the boarders of Jan Kalyan Trust performed a short entertainment programme after which the Salesian family members interacted with the children by way of a question and answer session. 

Day 2 began with the members taking part in the parish Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. The bilingual Mass was celebrated by Fr Diego and con-celebrated by Frs Sunil and Godfrey and was well animated by the parishioners. After Mass the Salesian family members interacted with the parishioners. 

Soon after lunch, they visited another tribal basti. The children and youth were all dressed up in their colourful costumes to present a cultural programme for the visitors. The members along with Fr Diego visited the houses of the tribals, interacted with the tribals and were astonished to see their living conditions. After the programme items donated by the Salesian family were distributed.

Fr Diego, in his address to the group, thanked all for coming for this mission experience. He also thanked the members for their donations in cash and kind and for roughing it out. 

This mission outreach was truly an enriching, heart-warming experience for all the members each expressing their experiences and views. Shonan said “I was so impressed to see a small child chopping wood to perfection.” Sr. Iona said, “Despite poverty, one could see a glow on the faces of the tribals.”