Contributing to health and development in rural Maner, 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.

6 Medical Mission Sisters are in mission at our Community Health Center in Maner, India. "Mission is an integrated approach in our services to the rural people for health and development," they explain. They devote 2 days a week to a well-baby clinic and a general clinic at the Center, and the rest of each week to rural development programs. Maner and 30 surrounding villages are served.

The well-baby clinic for immunizations draws about 500 children per clinic. The antenatal and gynecology clinic is also very popular, since the doctor is the only women's doctor in the area. Cases of infertility are treated as well. Health education on a variety of topics is given during the general clinics: AIDS, alcoholism, tobacco-related diseases, ecology, environment, diarrhea, tuberculosis, drug addiction, anemia, sanitation, leprosy, and nutrition.

Empowerment of women has been a primary objective of our mission in Maner. There are now 61 women's self-help groups with 835 members in the villages where we serve. Cluster meetings of 3 to 4 groups in a geographical area have strengthened the women. They discuss such difficult issues as violence against women, and violence within the family. They also have protested atrocities against dalits, the oppressed and poorest of the poor.

Training is offered at the Center on natural family planning, herbal medicines, and leadership at the grassroots level. Training is also provided to adolescent girls on personal development and sex education. In addition, our Sisters in the area network with the National Alliance of Women's Organizations, the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, and the Community Health Forum of India.

"Our interventions with women's self-help groups on issues of injustice and health, and our networking with like-minded groups … keep alive the seeds of hope, and possibilities and faith in the future."

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