Sr M Pressy BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Training programme
Tree plantation
Herbal Medicine centre
In 1996, Most Rev. Antony Fernandes, the Bishop of Bareilly Diocese, invited the Bethany Sisters to his diocese to start an English Medium Primary School, a hostel for the economically backward girls, pastoral work, social and medical ministry. The small town of Tanakpur bordering Nepal consists of marginal farmers, construction workers and petty businessmen. The Province purchased a piece of land for its mission. Sr Miriam and Sr Rita Rebello did the spade work for the mission in this isolated area. A two room residence was constructed for the sisters. On 1 November 2001 this was blessed by Most Rev Antony Fernandes. Sr Rita Rebello, the in charge, and Sr Stella D’Souza, the social worker, started their selfless service by surveying 10 neighbouring villages. The community was canonically erected on 29 July 2003 by Sr Nora, the Provincial Superior. One of the sisters taught in the English Medium school of Malabar Missionary Brothers. The others plunged into social and medical work. With the rich medicinal plants available in this foot hill of Himalayas Sr Naveen, the nurse established a herbal medicinal garden and trained 30 health workers.
Today Bethany Jeevan Dhara Centre, a unit of Bethany Social Service Society, Punjab, is recognized and awarded for its yeoman services. Sr Preeti Margaret, a doctor in Unnani and herbal medicines, heads the Health Centre that produces tonics, oils, tablets and other medicines. Over the years the Sisters in Tanakpur have put in dedicated and quality work to uplift the society. Thousands of patients are treated through preventive, promotive and rehabilitation care. Bethany Jeevan Dhara health centre is become a hall mark for its service to the suffering humanity around. Physiotherapy and Counselling has been the main attraction along with herbal medicine. Through the social work the economically backward have been touched and uplifted. The T. B. eradication jointly done with the Government has wiped away this deadly disease from this area. Sr Pressy is the Superior of the Convent and Directress of the Medical Centre.
The presence and service of the sisters have built up a vibrant Parish Community in this remote area.
Year establishment: 22. 06. 2002