An Unforgettable Experience!
Christian calling is a vocation to break down ourselves and to bring forth rich harvest. Don Bosco Father and Founder of Salesian Sisters, was a unique saint who responded to the needs of his time and prepared his boys who were once street urchins or vagabonds and trained them to be honest citizens useful to the society. Following his example at the invitation of the Archbishop of Bangalore Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, we, the Salesian Sisters of Bangalore province, Venila, Jyothi, Jacintha, Jyothsna, Shantha and Mary Rani set out to to be the Good Samaritans as Pope Francis appealed, to serve the Covid-19 affected patients. Bro. Madhu, a Camilian Brother had organized volunteers to look after the Covid affected patients and Rev. Fr. Anil D’ Sa SDB joined him to get more people to this “Covid Warrior” group. The second wave of Covid-19 was on the increase, hence there was some fear in our hearts, yet, placing our trust in the Lord, we ventured into this action to serve them with love. On the first day, we were instructed how to go about with our service. Camilian Brothers accompanied us to St. Philomena’s and St. Martha’s hospitals in groups. We were given PPE and other protective equipments as we entered the wards.
The pitiful situation of the patients battling between life and death urged us to help them. They were deprived of their dear ones at their side. Some of them were helpless even to feed themselves, help themselves for their personal need. The doctors and nurses were there but could not reach to the details of their needs. We could help them to clean themselves, to feed if required, and above all what they wanted was courage and hope. Listening to their stories could comfort them and ease their worries and brightened them up with hope for the future. No. of patients dying could frighten anyone as it was our case too. But as the days rolled back, we got courage and became real ‘warriors’. The fear that we had in the beginning had vanished and we gained courage and confidence to face the reality.
This time during past years has been time for each of us to break ourselves so we the Salesian sisters namely: of Don Bosco Bangalore Province responded to the needs of the time on April 31st Marched to the Place heeding to the invitation of. On the same day at 9’Oclock in the evening we had demonstration on how to take care of the Covid patients in the hospital by Fr. Anil SDB. The coordinator of the Covid worriers and Bro. Madhu (Camilians).It was already 2nd wave of Covid-19 many were affected and the death cases were increasing, so we were worried, feared and existed of the patients but the desire and love for the Covid patients made us to go forward with courage to serve them with love. In the first day we were accompanied by camilien brothers to the hospital of St.Philomena’s and st.Martha’s, at the entrance we were given PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to protect ourselves before we could enter into the different wards to serve the Covid patient. It was easy for us to take care of the patient than to remain with the PPE for a long time.
On 15th around 10’O clock in the morning we returned safely having completed the two weeks of volunteering service as Covid warriors. We were accompanied by Camilien Father, Fr. Showri and Bro. Albin. The community happily and with pride welcomed us back by garlanding, singing and with words of appreciation.
We express our sincere thank to our Dear Mother Provincial, the Councilors and our superiors for giving us this wonderful opportunity to serve the Covid patients. It was an amazing experience for us.
We raise our hearts in thanksgiving for giving us this chance to serve Jesus in others and protecting us from contagion.