Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Apr 5: A healthy mind provides the space that enables one to lead a productive and fulfilling life. There is nothing in God's creation that is superior to human intelligence. Human mind is high above all the inventions in the world.
Many go through problems in life. An affectionate talk, a heart that understands and ears those listen able to provide solutions to several problems of one’s mind. Sampoorna Counseling Centre of Ursuline Sisters try to fill in the gap of inadequacy of mind by holding private discussions. Sr Carmelita, who works for Mysuru province, runs the centre in Vamanjoor here. She will be celebrating the golden jubilee of her religious life on April 7.
Sr Carmelita – A brief introduction
Sr Carmelita was born in 1948 in Bejai. She joined Ursuline Franciscan congregation in Jeppu after primary education and took religious vows in 1968. She worked in Balehonnur, Mizoram, Kudremukh and Lucknow schools and opened new schools as missionary of education.
Beginning and growth
She is the first nun among Ursuline sisters trained in professional counselling. She received her training in Manila, Philippines and served as religious head in several institutions. National Vocational Service Centre (NVSC), Pune, Franciscan Institute of Spirituality in India (FISI), Bengaluru, Siddivihar Mysuru, Dharmaram Bengaluru, Atmadarshan Mumbai and Shantikiran Bajjodi are important among them.
She opened comprehensive counseling centre under the aegis of CDSE near Vamanjoor Ave Maria Palliative Centre in 2012. Her service is in progress at a rented house near Vamanjoor church hall at present.
Why in rented house?
When asked why she stays in a rented house outside the convent raising suspicion among people if she has left the congregation, she said that the work involves being among the people and makes it convenient for them. “As I belong to Mysuru province of Ursuline congregation, we are here with permission from our elders. The congregation has provided me a sister to help me,” she says.
Services in Sampoorna
Services of several kinds are available here. There is help for children regarding education, for youth to select branch of higher education, drug addiction, and addiction of pornographic materials, distorted sexuality, sexual advances by family members on young girls and other problems. Discussions and attempts to find solutions are held about dissatisfaction among couples, problems during growth of children, alcoholism, sexual relationship outside marriage, reasons of separation, single parenthood and effects of divorce on children. As she is a nun, she gives importance to prayers while looking for solutions.
The noble work of counselling has spread and people from Mangaluru, Udupi, Uttar Karnataka, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mumbai and Gulf countries come to her for counselling. She conducts counselling for schools, hospitals, doctors, the religious, police etc in groups.
Awareness camps
Sampoorna holds awareness camps at several places to provide basic information about illnesses so that administering medicine can be avoided. Youth and maturity, strength of mind, youthfulness and friendship, education to reach greater heights, success through spirituality, strength to think and human values, pleasure of parenthood, positive mind, life in the family, women empowerment etc.
She has held several awareness camps with the cooperation of development centre in Bolar to prevent sex related crimes against children under POCSO – Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences in several schools in the state, for children, teachers, parents, drivers and staff of schools. She has also created awareness in more than 200 schools in the state on influence of social networks in the 21st century and the role of parents. She has held Jeevan Jyothi camps for youth and workshops for others too.
She says that she will continue to promote hope of life through Sampoorna counselling in the future too.
Sr Carmelita tries enthusiastically to provide solutions for problems of human mind. Those who need her help can contact 9449451026 and meet her.