Dharampur- Bilpudi
Dharampur is one of the most backward talukas of Gujarat with its 237 villages of Adivasis. Fr. Aubrey requested the sisters to work for the welfare of the Adivasis here so in 1978 the sisters arrived being welcomed in a bamboo hut built for their abode and for the dispensary. Soon the dispensary started with 40 patients. With the mobile clinic the sisters established three centers for leprosy patients. Soon MISSIO came to their help and a building was ready for four Sisters who officially formed the community. Fifteen boarders were brought to be looked after.
The Sisters dressed in a uniform Saree for the first time as it would seem more appropriate among these villagers who never saw Nuns with habits. Camps organized for women taught them stitching, hygiene, housekeeping, bhajans etc. The people eagerly imbibed good morals which had an impact on their life. In 1982 the boarding and dispensary building was completed for the boarders and patients. The numerous boarders were divided into groups. The high school boarders attended the parish school at Fulwadi. Each day they travelled by bus one hour to and fro to reach Fulwadi. The children of the primary school attended the nearby school of Bilpudi. Later in 1998 when the Convent started in Fulwadi, the high school boarders resided there. When the English medium school started all the boarders of Gujarati medium were shifted to Fulwadi. There remained in Bilpudi only the boarders following English medium.
The activities undertaken by Sisters and Health care workers for health and social welfare are Mahila mandals, tailoring and craft classes, and Mother Child programme. The 4 mobile medical centers and medical assistance in the dispensary does much for the people’s health. In particular the health workers have organized a ration shop and herbal garden project. The women empowerment Programmes have been a great boon through grain bank and leadership training. Advocacy work and adult literacy Programmes has seen good results.
The enterprise of starting an English medium school for the Adivasi children in 2013 has shown good results as there was cent per cent in the SSC exams.
The future seems bright as the all-round development of the people is evident.