In the late 1980s the Social Justice Cell of the Archdiocese of Bombay was working to establish a new way of being church. Fr Allwyn D’Silva, (later bishop), having witnessed the struggles of the people in this parish decided to take up the challenge. Two rooms were purchased in Ishaque Chawl near the 90-feet Road close to Sakinaka for the project.

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Jerimeri is a densely populated slum with migrants from across India. The language commonly spoken is Hindi. Most of the people lived in huts on land bordering the international airport. Hence, they were often evicted without prior notice. The sisters worked among the people, helping them tackle various social issues.

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In 1989 Jagruti Kendra, Centre for Community Organisation (CCO), was founded. The sisters planned and implemented the activities of the CCO such as skills training and legal literacy. In 1992 they started a cooperative credit society for women. In 1993, Jagruti Mahila Mandal, which was launched in 1988, got registered. In 1997 when the government introduced self-help groups, the same was started in Jerimeri to enable the women to become economically self-reliant. Tailoring classes helps the women to earn a livelihood.

POSTAL ADDRESS

Snehanjali, Paramount A-102, 90 feet Road, opp. D’Souza Nagar, Sakinaka, Mumbai