Bangalore Province

Bethany Hostel Mankale has its beginning in 1973 while Sr Medela BS, was the Superior at St Joseph’s Convent Sagar. She noticed that there were many poor children especially girls deprived of schooling. This inspired her to open an ashram for these children, named Jeevan Jyoti Ashram and provide them with required facilities for quality education especially for the neighbouring rural poor children. There were 30 children and their day-today expenses were met by St Joseph’s Convent. This Ashram has completed 25 years in the service of the poor. In 2004 a new building was put up with generous help of Manos Unidas and the boarding was shifted to Bethany Vocational Centre Mankale, and was re-named as Bethany Hostel Mankale. Sr Winnifred and Sr Roopa assisted children in the boarding.

In the year 2005, when the Vocational Training was started,  girls came in big numbers for various short courses, such as Nursery Teachers’ Training, Secretarial Practice with computer Skills and  computer application, Fashion  designing, beautician courses, Nursing Aide, and Tailoring. Sixty girls were accommodated with minimum fees irrespective of caste and creed. In the past twelve years, around 360 girls have benefitted from the courses offered to become self-reliant. Many girls have started their own livelihood programme in order to support their families.

The hostel provides them with good atmosphere to live in peace and harmony. Value education is imparted and Catholic children are given catechism classes, opportunity to attend daily mass and to receive sacraments. Good night talks are arranged daily. Hostel warden makes time to meet girls individually and offers guidance. The dream of empowering rural girls is getting reaized in this place. Sr Carmelita is the Warden at present.

Sr Tresa Lydia BS
Warden

Sr Dona Therese BS
Correspondent