Bhaiswar
North India
Bhaiswar
Bhaiswar is in Chattisgarh State in a remote place in middle of forest, surrounded by hill. This is
non-Catholic area, mostly Gonds, Cheruva, Kanvars, Ponda and Keruvars tribes live. With the
call of Bishop, Bhaiswar community was opened on 24 th of November 1991. Blessed and
inaugurated by Bishop Paschal Topno SJ, Superior General Sr Genevieve Ponnau, Provincial
Superior Sr Loretta Lobo, Mission Superior Sr Maria Theresa and sisters from other
communities were present for this occasion. The pioneers were Sr Lucy Pereira (animator), Sr
Ammini Pushpam and Sr Elia C.R. since the spade work was done by the Sr Teresa Paul and Sr.
Lucy, sisters were well informed of the needs of the people.
Sisters started with Balwadi, farmers groups, women and youth organizations, medical,
ecological and environmental care, food security program, credit union, income generating
activities, formal and non-formal education, and mother and child program. In the beginning it
took lots of time to organize the people and make them to understand. The Sisters had to adjust
to the rhythm of the larger community comprising Fathers and staff.
Today people are well off and can see the vast difference in the way of living. Many are well
educated and are having government jobs. We can see the change in the whole atmosphere. At
present sisters are engaged in education, both formal and non-formal.