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Accompanying the indigenous people of Jharkhand, India Sharing life and health care with the indigenous people of Jharkhand, India, is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. Medical Mission Sisters have long been in mission with the indigenous people of the state of Jharkhand, India. Jharkhand is a forest tract rich in minerals and natural resources. Sadly, the way of life of the indigenous people faces extinction as the people are moved off their land, homes are razed and the land ravaged for precious minerals.
“Displacement is a very complex phenomenon,” say Sisters Bina Stanis and Gemma Mendes. “First there is the personal trauma when people are forced to leave their homes…the second cause of trauma is the mental harassment that the people experience.” Realizing their collective strength, the people and our Sisters have joined together with like-minded groups to resist being forced from their homes.
In addition to helping the indigenous people struggle to keep their homes, four of our Sisters also help them to address their health needs. Jharkhand does not have basic health facilities for 80% of the people who live in villages. Sister Bina directs the activities of health centers in Kasiadhi, Horomocha and Lopongtandi, where the villagers built their own center after years of trying to access the government health facilities. The three centers have regular training programs and health committee meetings. Sister Gemma serves as a healing presence in Kasiadhi, where Santals from 62 villages come when they need health care. Sister Pushpa Toppo, a member of the Indian Association for Women’s Studies, travels throughout Jharkhand mobilizing women and children to resist the eviction of forest communities from their habitats. She also works in alternative health care through the use of herbs. Sister Lucy Kavukatt, part of the National Campaign for Survival and Dignity of the indigenous communities, lives among the people and operates the herbal department at Holy Family Hospital, Mandar. A recent example of the empowerment of the indigenous people occurred in the Karanpura valley. “This is the rice bowl of Jharkhand, and an invaluable elephant corridor,” says Sister Bina Stanis. “It is also a heritage site, facing the threat from coal mining and a thermal power station. This endangered heritage has been recognized by the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Peoples.” In spite of great pressure from the government and the coal companies, the people of Karanpura have refused to give up their land. As Sister Bina reflects, “For indigenous peoples all over the world, land is sacred.”
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