St Joseph Girls’ Hostel Viswema, Nagaland

Situated 25 km south of Kohima, the state Capital of Nagaland is Viswema village. Fr Stanislaus Coelho S.J was the pioneer of this mission.  In 1974, Fr Stanislaus Coelho S.J stated an English Medium School named after St Joseph the Worker, in this village. Bethany became part of this mission in 1977, with the arrival of the first four Sisters namely Sr Noeline, Superior and Headmistress, Sr Peace, Sr Ivan and Sr A.P. Tresa.  

When the sisters arrived in 1977, the school had reached up to class two with 80 students on the roll. Closely attached to the school is the hostel apostolate. Initially it was opened to accommodate the children of Viswema itself. The first hostellers joined on 18th July 1977. That year there were 13 of them. Sisters, school students and Hostel students were all housed under the same roof till 1988. Sisters moved to their newly built convent in October 1988 and the school was shifted to the new building in 1994. The building made by Fr Stany in 1974, still remains as the hostel building.

As the school grew and infrastructure improved, children from outside Viswema were also admitted. At present, girls from LKG to class 12 are admitted and boys up to class 4. The hostel can accommodate about 100 students. At present the students are from the neigbouring villages, where there is no facility for English medium school. Most of the students’ parents are farmers and face lot of financial difficulties.

St Joseph Girls Hostel is a home for all, irrespective of the tribes and denominations. Students are happy. All the sisters extend their help to the hostel students and hostel warden in terms of minding the studies and praying with them and giving them Good Night talks, preparing them for liturgy and so on. Values based training is provided. Being a hostel of BES, Vision and core Values of BES finds a prime place in various activities conducted.

We are honoured and privileged to have Ms Padmini who servers the hostel as assistant warden for 23 years. Together with the sisters she toils hard for caring for the children and training them. We thank our Superior Generals and Provincial Superiors of past and present their team for all the help and support received all through the years. We are indebted to BES for the timely guidance and direction.

Sr Wanrimon
Hostel Warden

Sr Imani
Assist Hostel Warden

Students of the Hostel

Students of the Hostel

Hostel Building