Adieu Novice Priyanka from Lodha Community

Adieu Novice Priyanka from Lodha Community

June 20, 2018

Loreto novice Priyanka had started her journey on 3^rd May 2018 to Lodha Community, Gangasagar for her one month village experience as part of her religious obligation. She was warmly welcomed in the centre by children. Gradually she built up rapport with the children and visited Lodha families every day.  Novice Priyanka stayed with them as one of their own community members. She went to the hospital with them; she went to offices to make Adhar cards for Lodha people.  Priyanka spent morning hours with the children in the learning centre teaching them, grooming them by cutting nails, washing their hands, putting oil in their hairs and combing them. After the classes she used to collect all the school going children from Lodha community and accompany them to school. She also stayed in the school till classes were over. Again she accompanied the children back to Lodha community. She interacted with mothers; she helped the mothers for cooking and preparing vegetables.  She went to the rivers with them to catch fish and crabs. Many times Lodha families invited her for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Priyanka enjoyed eating with them whatever they offered her to eat.  Being excluded and considered untouchables by the main section of society they were happy to share with someone who does not belong to their community. So much so these families were keeping meals separate for her to come and eat. She adjusted herself in the remotest and poorest community, lived with them, worked with them, ate with them and have walked with them her one month of life journey.  The happy moments lasted only for one month.  She was given farewell on 3^rd of June 2018. All the Lodha families and children gathered to say good bye to Priyanka.

Priyanka says “I never expected that I will be loved and cared for so much in the Lodha community in spite of their poverty, they even survive by eating one meal in a day. Though they are poor but rich in their simple hearts. I will cherish their gesture of kindness, simplicity, love, care and concern. People should not discriminate them. They lack everything but they are simple at hearts. They offer you whatever they have. I hope and pray for their families that the people around may include them in society and they will stand on their own feet one day. They need helping hands to stand on their own. ”