In 1972 Fr John Haldner SJ invited SHM to help in the drought hit villages of Shevgaon in Ahmednagar District. The people were either landlords or daily wage labourers. The aim was to uplift and improve the living conditions of the economically downtrodden, especially women and children who were suffering from diseases.

It was tough going as there were no transport facilities. The sisters would bicycle to the interior villages and spend nights listening to the people, reaching out to them. Women’s groups were formed in all the villages. The sisters instructed them on health and hygiene. Tailoring classes helped the women to earn a livelihood.

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As the dropout rate of girls in school was high, grihini training (home science) began in 1977. It was often difficult to convince the parents to send their daughters for such training as they practised early marriage but gradually they saw the benefits. The girls were taught reading and writing, tailoring, cooking, gardening, poultry and rabbit rearing, etc. This non-formal education brought changes in the villages and the admissions increased.

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In 1985 the community health guide service was launched and the women were trained to handle issues on health, nutrition, hygiene and first aid.

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In 1988 the centre initiated a goat project. It put socio-economic power in the hands of women, and the family income was raised.

In 1991 a kindergarten was started and in 1993 a boarding home was opened for school-going girls as many were dropping out since the high school was very far from the village.

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In 1998 the women’s groups were registered. In 2004 the sisters initiated the Navjeevan Sevabhavi Sanstha through the District Rural Development Agency to encourage small saving groups in the villages.

Address:

Postal address

Anand Niwas, P.O. Shevgaon, Dt. Ahmednagar 414 502, Maharashtra