COMPLETION REPORT OF THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION OF SFS SCHOOL, SOMONPARA, MEGHALAYA

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1 COMPLETION REPORT OF THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION OF SFS SCHOOL, SOMONPARA, MEGHALAYA NAME OF THE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL, SOMONPARA ADDRESS BOLORI, GAMBERGE WEST GARO HILLS DT MEGHALAYA, INDIA PERSON RESPONSIBLE FR JOHN KELAMKUZHACKAL MSFS LEGAL HOLDER FUNDED BY PROJECT FACILITATORS REV. FR. GEORGE PANTHANMACKEL MSFS, PROVINCIAL MSFS PROVINCIALATE SATGAON - NARENGI, GUWAHATI, ASSAM - INDIA LIGHT IN LIFE AND MSFS NORTHEAST INDIA PROVINCE FR. K. P. JOSEPH MSFS, PROVINCIAL BURSAR FR. SAJI GEORGE MSFS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FASCE INDIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Somonpara is a small village under West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. It falls under the Gambegre Community and Rural Development Block. This village is around 8 kms from the Block headquarters and around 40 kms from Tura. The nearest Primary Health Centre of the Govt. of Meghalaya is around 30 kms away. The people depend on the scanty transport services that are available. There is no good high school in this area and the people have great expectation from our mission here. Mary, Mother of Compassion Church, Somonpara is the 41 st parish opened by the Catholic Diocese of Tura in the year The new parish came into being by bifurcating 4 parishes of the Diocese of Tura namely - St. Dominic Savio's Church, Garobadha; St. Peter's Church, Purakhasia; Sacred Heart Church, Chandmary - Tura and St. Mathew's Church, Rimrangpara. The parish has 320 Catholic families spread over 40 villages. The Diocese of Tura has entrusted this parish to the North East India Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. The new Parish was officially inaugurated on 02 nd March 2014 by Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak DD, the Bishop of Tura in the presence of Rev. (Dr.) Fr. George Panthanmackal msfs, Provincial (NE Province of MSFS). The SFS School comes under this parish and is managed and run by the priest in charge of the parish. The People: the Garos The indigenous people, inhabiting the area is known as The Garos, belonging to the Garo tribe. The Garos are believed to have come from Tibet and originally belonging to Tibeto Burman group. According to their tradition the people migrated from Tibet to Assam during the early years of 1000BC. Linguistically the Garos are akin to the Bodo Kacharis which belong to the Tibeto- Burman, linguistic family. The Garos are a matrilineal society where the female acts as the head of the family.

2 The culture and economic condition of the present day Garos are remarkably influenced by Western culture and Christianity. They have their own traditions, folklores, myths and legends which carry the traces of their ancient chronicle. As a whole they are simple and adaptable people. The Statement of the Problem In and around Somonpara, there are no good schools capable of imparting quality and affordable education to the poor and vulnerable segment of the society. Most of the children have no chance to go to the schools and get educated, even at the primary level. The parents, though, uneducated they are, sincerely want to send their children to schools. But the non-availability of a school in the nearby premises, compels them to send the children for daily labour, which can be of assistance to the poor family, which is already large enough and not able to support themselves. Therefore, the MSFS fathers took at as a challenge the education of the children in Somonpara. The Genesis of the Project Though the MSFS fathers were imparting quality education, there was no good building to hold the classes. The school had no good infrastructure, as it was made of bamboos and tin roof. The area is prone to cyclone and heavy wind. The cyclonic winds with heavy rains and hailstones destroy the tin roofing. During the rainy season, there is water logging in the class rooms. Many working days are to be declared as holiday when there is heavy rains, winds etc. That is the reason, we were looking for permanent structures at the earliest. Children need safety, security and good atmosphere to pursue their studies. The often interrupted classes through the rain and wind was the immediate cause for looking for help for the construction of good school building. It was in this context the MSFS Fathers approached the Light in Life organization for the financial assistance for the construction of a solid school building.

3 Construction of the New Building The foundation for the new school building was by Rev. Fr Joseph Thazhathukunnel MSFS. From then on the project got the momentum with the financial assistance it received from the Light in Life Organization and the MSFS Northeast India Province. Step by step, stage by stage, phase by phase, the constuction got its momenetum. Slowly the dream project of Somonpara was getting shape. Blessing and Inauguration of the New School Building The newly constructed school building was blessed and inaugurated on January 5, The day s function began with the traditional welcome given to the dignitaries by the people.

4 It was followed by the blessing and inauguration of the new building. Most Rev. Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura blessed the building and Rev Fr George Panthanmackel, inaugurated the building by cutting the ribbon. The plaque was unveiled by the Mr Shaji Adathala, President of Light in Life and Mr Stephen Braddock from Teufen, Switzerland. The inaugural programme was followed by the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Inaugural Mass, presided by Bishop Andrew R. Marak. In his message he congratulated and appreciated the commendable service done by the MSFS Fathers to Northeast India and especially for the Diocese of Tura and people of Somonpara. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was followed by a spectacular cultural event hoisted jointly by the children of SFS School and the people of Somonpara. In the cultural extravaganza the dignitaries along with the Guests from Switzerland were facilitated.

5 Rev. Fr George Panthanmackel, Provincial of MSFS NE Province, in his speech highly appreciated the collaboration, support and contribution of the Light in Life organization. Mr Shaji Adathala expressed his gratitude to MSFS fathers and people of Somonpara for the very warm welcome and reception. He emphasized that it was God s will that led the Light in Life Organization to support the people of Somonpara. The solemn function was attended by more than 1500 people. For the people of Somonpara it was a matter of great joy as they have now a new school to educate their children. The Status of the School The school which began with just 200 children in the year 2014 has ended the academic year with 380 students on the enrollment. Seeing the new structure and quality of the education the academic year 2017 which began in February has seen a rising demand of the children for admission. The school at present has 510 children with 20 teachers. The new structure has 9 rooms (7 class room, 1 office and 1 staff room) and a hall at the basement.

6 Difficulties During the implementation of the project we had to also endure lot of difficulties. The long distance, the poor road conditions, inclement weather, the unavailability of the material and goods at the project sites, the disturbance from the extremists etc. have delayed the work and made it hard to execute it on time. Way Forward Although we have a new school building with nine new class rooms, we are still looking forward for the following: 1. The construction of the 1 st floor 2. Toilet Block for Boys and Girls 3. Computer Room 4. Library 5. Installation of the facility for flowing water. 6. A full-fledged Play Ground 7. Boarding for Boys and Girls 8. A dispensary So that we can fully cater to the needs of the people and be at the service of them by helping them to grow in human dignity. CONCLUSION The successful implementation of this project, Construction of the First Phase of SFS School, Somonpara, Meghalaya, has partially addressed the immediate need of the people of Somonpara, especially the children. This project has brought real light in the life of the people and a ray of hope for a bright future. We thank the LIGHT IN LIFE Organization, all the members and benefactors for coming forward with the commendable contribution to materialize the dream of the people of Somonpara and the Members of the MSFS Northeast India Province. We assure you of our prayers, that you may carry out the good work that you are doing for the upliftment of humanity. We look forward to collaborate and to join hands with you to make this world a better place by providing quality education to the poor and needy. May God Bless and Reward You! For MSFS Northeast India Province, P. Dr. Saji George MSFS Executive Director, FAsCE India