WORK - CAMP AT ASHAGAD
- Quintin & Team, Pre Novices

We were 9 pre-novices, along with Fr. Philip and Br. Vinay, who left Vinayalaya at 8:15 a.m. on the 10th of October and set out for Nagzari, Dongripada for a Work Camp. There we were welcomed by Frs. Blaise and Jacob, the Franciscan Sisters and by the lovely nature surrounding the hamlet of Dongripada in Ashagad. The place was beautiful with mountains on all sides, fresh air to breathe in and friendly villagers (tribals) living all around the place. We stayed at Loyola Ashram Shala where normally 400 of 637 students live during the academic year. 

Our mission was to dig a soak pit for the tribal girls of the school. The requirement we were given was 27x25x8 ft. So, we started our first day of work with real determination. In front of us stood 6 feet tall weeds that we had to clear before we could even start digging. We dived right in - literally - and pulled out anything that stood in our way. Two hours and several bloody, itchy hands later we completed the job. It was a great “massacre”. Those “little” weeds didn't have a chance!

Later, we started with the mighty task ahead of us. 27x25x8 ft. is no joke! But yet we strove on. We were determined to finish at least ½ the work by the end of the Camp. Things started getting harder but we were told to, “Think about the people you are doing this for.”, “Think about the people who do this work for a living every day”, and “See God in the work.”… So, we went on digging and digging till we got some sort of rhythm. The regular rasna, supplied by the gracious Sisters, was a real refresher, though it didn't sooth our blisters! There were many hurdles along the way. Lack of tools, the hot sun, fatigue… Our biggest hurdle came on day 5. One of our work-force a pre-novice -Vivian- fell ill, was taken to the hospital, and diagnosed with malaria. Another member went along to take care of him, and, on the next day Br. Vinay had to leave because of prior commitments. So we were left with 3 people less to work! But then, something amazing happened. This crisis somehow brought us all closer together and we worked harder. It finally looked as if we were going to reach our goal after all. All of a sudden the work was fun. We were enjoying ourselves. On days 6 and 7, two new members - Br. Brian and another pre-novice -Ananta- joined our work-force. Things were looking up. Everyone seemed confident. But alas, it was not to be! We hit rock! With every 'clank' 'clank', we heard of metal on the rock, we progressed slower and slower. It was not about beauty anymore. It was about us pitted against this very hard mass of nature. It is not difficult to guess who won.

But we knew that our goal was not exactly to complete the job. Our main goal was to learn how to work as a team, grow closer as a group, experience some of the hardships working people face daily, and to do this little service for these poor tribal girls.  We had other experiences too: Fr. Blaise gave us an informative talk on the background of these tribals and their lives; we had fun, too, every night which refreshed us from our labours; one day we left our usual work and, armed with dangerously sharp sickles, harvested one field of paddy for an old couple; we celebrated Diwali with the people of the neighbouring hamlet of Nambarpada; an occasional swim, etc.

Unhappily, we did not fully meet our goal. In 9 days we could only complete 27x25x3 ½ feet.  We came back tired but greatly enriched, and with a sense of satisfaction that we could do something for others. It also made us aware of our capabilities and of the rewards of working together.