1994 REPORT - MGA
A Personal Perspective

Recently, during my travels, I was asked to name a woman I most admired; my thoughts and then verbal response quickly turned to Jessie. I had the privilege of spending a few days with her during my stay in Bodhgaya. My background training and interest in education, social justice and women's issues meant that rapport was quickly established. The intention was to photographically document her work in order to raise awareness and subsequently more funds back in Australia for her project. I feel I gained richly by my contact with her.

It was in high school years when Jessie first became aware of the deplorable educational opportunities for many of the underprivileged, especially in the state of Bihar. It seems since then she has been preparing herself for the work she is doing today. Gathering skills (in education) and increasing her knowledge & commitment to social awareness (through experience & extensive reading) and deepening her spiritual practice.

Jessie's approach to education reveals her sharp creative mind, mixed with passion for social justice. In order to firstly motivate the children to learn, simple nursery rhymes were taught by reading these at home. The parents, of course, were impressed and able to quickly experience the fact that their children can learn. This increased their self worth & so encouraged further attendance. Gradually the use of known rhymes leads to reading. It is the next step, I feel, that shows Jessie's uniqueness and the blend of qualities mentioned previously. She uses rhymes that she has written (simple and catchy) that include a social comment. For example, about a beggar's life (looking at the conditions of people poorer than ourselves; therefore encouraging compassion) or about the inspiring life of Mahatma Ghandi. Firstly, the school age tutors learn these rhymes and through discussion with each other and Jessie their understanding of social issues relevant to the rhymes are increased. Then, with enthusiasm the children are taught and then they carry the message to their homes.

It can be seen that Jessie's project operates on many levels. Firstly, she needed to find (through the schools & colleges) a group of willing young tutors (often 15-17 yrs old) to work for the lesser privileged for token payment (plus whenever possible small gifts of encouragement). The tutors gain also practically by developing career (teaching) skills and simultaneously a greater social conscience. The children benefit of course, and then the parents individually and collectively. Jessie's next stage is to encourage each village to build a classroom (at present classes are held out in the fields or under trees). A blackboard will be given as encouragement upon completion of the building and then a garden will be made next to each classroom for the villagers to learn basic skills in market gardening, help develop self-sufficiency and raise nutritional standards. Womens classes in literacy are just beginning, which Jessie hopes will develop into groups of simple cottage industries. The benefit to the women is obvious. Jessie believes that it is through education that the conditions for Indians will be uplifted and their rights increased.

To develop this Jessie works unceasingly, creating simple, appropriate teaching aides with materials available cheaply and locally, writing songs and making them into attractive books for the children and tutors. She travels constantly to different villages to check on progress, and investigate possibilities for new classes; conducts group sessions with the young tutors frequently and sets them tests to determine the progress of the children.

I remember as the subject of her payment was raised during one of our informal conversations as we crossed a rice paddy going from one village to the next; she said "happiness is my payment". I knew by this she meant seeing the positive impact that her "schools were bringing to each village was enough for her. I suspected that sometimes Jessie was not sure whether she would eat a full meal the next day herself.

Jessie taught me the meaning, through the example of her life, of renunciation and compassion. When I asked her why she made the step from being a nun to a sannyasin she told me simply that by leaving the church she was letting go of any attachment or security or belonging to an organization that could support her. The other side too, she tells me, is that she doesn't have to answer to any hierarchical organization.

Her strong will and commitment drive her, expressed through an open heart, warm expression and a twinkle in her eyes. Although small in stature, I could see and feel (as I couldn't understand the words) the great respect and love that surrounded her from the tutors, children and villagers with whom she made contact. I also witnessed how she dealt with any conflict of ideals by a clear direct manner that allowed the other person(s) room to move and make their own decision to stay with her or leave. Sometimes a decision to leave her is made by another family member, for example, a landowner becomes aware that by educating the harijins they will become more vocal about their rights, so a son is refused permission to continue teaching.

Although greatly inspired by her work, I knew it is not my Path to do the work she is doing, but I hope through my contact with her, the information I've gathered and the photos I've taken I can support her in achieving "her happiness".

Financial support for Jessie is vital, as an independent worker she relies solely on private contributions. This money allows her to pay her tutors, have song books printed and buy simple materials such as slate boards and chalk for each child. As contributions increase more villagers can benefit, materials can be improved to include note pads and pencils; and the token payments increased to encourage more tutors to become involved.

While teaching in a convent previously, Jessie was aware that when she left the education of these privileged children would continue. In the surrounding villages of Bodhgaya, if Jessie ceased doing her work there would be no further education (formal & informally) for these people and for many people their quality of life would be greatly reduced practically and spiritually.

Christabelle Baranay

1996 REPORT - MGA

Massihi Gyanodaya Abhiyan (Campaign for a Literate Bodhgaya) now reaches 1800 children in 37 schools dotted around the countryside - not exactly our concept of schools as these are under trees or on the verandahs of village Temples. The rain gods blessed the villages with lots of rain and plenty of paddy replanting work but it did disrupt teaching. Many parents came forward to construct village-style mud huts. They will build the mud structure with MGA providing the roof this year. It is planned the schools will have a temporary roof of bamboos and straw.

Older students (2 years standing) were very eager to plant more trees as the monsoon approached. This year, new students will be introduced to tree planting. The seed sown in the students' hearts for environmental protection is growing.

Regular teachers' training seminars are being held for two days in September and ten days in October. Travellers having made contact with these seminars are thanked. If you visit India you too will be welcome. There are many ways you can help. Just call on Ma Jaishree Upadhyay (Sister Jessie) at Burmese Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya during the evening as she is out in the villages during the day.

Joy and sadness. India's 50th Independence Day was celebrated in August with flag hoisting and sweets. On Teacher's day a motivational, thanks meal was served and for exemplary service, some teachers received a present reward. The sad note. One of the first young teachers Geeta, who had recently married, died of childbirth complications. Her baby lives and her sister Lalita continues the school.

Imagine this! Switzerland fundraising will provide 1800 children with a dress. The plan is that this uniform be given to all the children at the Dobhi centre. If we can see the discarding of rags and the wearing of the uniform as a shining out of the Light of Literacy, what inspiration this event will hold for students, teachers, villagers and Sister Jessie.

1997 REPORT - MGA

Ma Jaishree Upadhaya, also known as Sister Jessie, was once confronted by a police officer. He questioned her, “I get complaints that you are spreading the religion of Christ?” She answered him: “Oh yes. I am spreading the message of Love, as I understand this is the religion of Christ. At the same time, I am also spreading the religion of Buddha, which is Ahimsa .. non-violence .., and that of Gandhi, which is Truth and Selfless Service. Can I at least spread non-violence and truth?” He laughed and said “You may go ahead and do as you please. Nothing will harm you.”

Gandhiji had a lifelong dream of bringing about ‘Ram-Raj’, a kingdom where the ruler and subjects live together in harmony. Jessie’s project ‘Massihi Gyanodaya Abhiyan’ .. Campaign for Awakening Wisdom is endeavouring to continue this effort, to bring about total unity of castes, creeds and religions. Towards this end, her education program was started. The ultimate aim is education of the heart as well as the head. There are millions of children who never get a chance for an education; she hopes to reach some of them.

The caste system is intricate and many .. here are but a few. There is a caste consisting of people whose task is to raise pigs; another of people who make a living by polishing shoes and giving massage; and another of those who, because they are caste street cleaners, are shunned by others. There are powerful forces maintaining the system, which persuade the people to define what is possible for them. Higher caste people can exert influence on the low caste villagers to discourage them from sending children to school. Jessie’s work challenges that system, and is constantly challenged by it. Whilst the policeman’s comment was profound, and she is honoured by many, in reality she is seen as a threat by those who fear that they will lose power. Thus, not only must she rise above incredible frustrations, but also daily face great risks.

Eoin Liebchen-Meades and Kevin Corlette (from Chicago) went walkabout with Sister Jessie in January this year visiting some of the village schools. Kevin says: 'Many schools consisted of nothing more than the bare essentials of teacher and students, chalk and blackboard, pen and paper; there were few buildings, no desks or chairs. The sky is the roof and the earth is the floor. It was a joy to see the excitement of the children as they greeted Jessie by standing and shouting "Didiji" .. Elder Sister.

Sister Jessie now reaches around 52 villages. Each day she visits a village and with so much territory to cover she might only be able to stay long enough for a brief conference with teachers and perhaps the parents, hear the children sing a song, and distribute some supplies. Her mode of transport? .. She walks! Or she catches an overcrowded bus and walks the rest. By listening to the song, Jessie can gauge which children have been attending school regularly; and by keeping the timing of her visits a surprise, she is able to monitor how diligent the teachers are in carrying out their duties. Village students number around 1000 and funds raised provide a very small remuneration for teachers, basic teacher/student supplies and some books. Jessie ensures that the money we raise here is used to maximum benefit there. The special Swiss funded Uniform distribution was made to all students last December (1996).

The plight of widows in the villages reached by Jessie has been very much on her mind. When she learned of a government program to provide benefits to widows, which is generally unknown among the villagers, since most are illiterate and have very little contact with government officials, she took on this task of helping them. Basically widows are often illegitimately charged fees to fill out applications and frequently the end up with only a fraction of what they are entitled. Kevin says: "Many of the women looked to me as though they were 60 to 70 years old. I was surprised when Jessie told me that most of them were not much more than 40. She translated a couple of names: the first meant 'one who should be killed'; another was 'one who is always sad'. Death does not always come suddenly. Sometimes it comes slowly, through a premature wearing away of life.

Sister Jessie's work has the perseverance of the spider from this rhyme:

The eensy weensy spider crawled up the water spout,
Down came the rain and washed the spider out,
Up rose the sun and dried up all the rain, ..
And the eensy weensy spider crawled up the spout again.

May we continue to receive the generosity of donations so that this precious being, Sister Jessie, can further her work.

Pam Grayson

Dec 97 Report

I spent a few days with Sister Jessie who organizes our other main support project. Jessie's teaching places are in the villages, often in spare rooms or under trees; and the books the children use are pieces of slate and chalk. Everything is very basic and rustic, even precarious, in its existence.

At one village, one child just died, another looked close to death and one had died four days prior. The mother was grieving as we came. It may have been one of the serious infectious diseases ... smallpox was mentioned ... and medical authorities would not come to the village. The villagers were too poor and ignorant to do anything so Jessie arranged for help to come. One third of the women are widows and Jessie was arranging for them to receive their pensions. Corruption is prevalent and only about one third will seep through to them (worse than tax here!). Jessie extends herself to these and literally dozens of little projects. They are not her main aim ... which is basic education for the children .. but merely side issues. In one dust bowl of a village we gave out clothes and some food to the children. One child was obviously neglected and Jessie said that both his parents were dead and he lived as a waif in the village. The kindness he received from Jessie and us was hard for him to receive ... as if he didn't know what it was ... as if kindness was more foreign than our language. It is these and many more Jessie reaches out to. The seeds she plants are in the hearts of those who spend time with her ... both foreigners and her own people. I am truly honoured to help her as I can.

Eoin Liebchen-Meades

Namaste: Greetings from children at a village school

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1999 REPORT - MASSIHI GYANODAYA ABHIYAN

The MGA was established five or so years ago by Ma Jayashree Upadhyay, or simply, Sr. Jessie. Five years ago she left her (Catholic) order of nuns, where she was a teacher in Patna, to give education to children of the largely musaha (rat-eater) caste, who would not otherwise have had any education. like many of the activists in the region she sees education as the way to help the people overcome injustice and exploitation, now and for future generations. She takes her inspiration from Jesus and Mahatma Gandhi and is quite uncompromising in her principles, going as far as to return donations from people or organisations whom she feels have an unwholesome hidden agenda.

THE ORGANISATION

She now runs 33 village schools with about 40 teachers who are paid between $32.00 per month, for a barely educated teacher or teacher's assistant to grade 8 standard, to $60.00 for a more highly educated/trained teacher. Jessie currently has 2,500 students enrolled in her schools, for whom she provides simple uniforms at the cost of $2.00 each. I spent an afternoon visiting a few of her schools in the Dhobi area on the back of a donated Vespa, which took me back 30 years to a largely misspent youth. The school buildings ranged from a converted cattle shed to an abandoned government tourist project, which consisted of a lonely building with no water, electricity, windows or doors, where three classes seemed to be under way. The curriculum in most of these schools is quite rudimentary - reading, writing, arithmetic, fundamental hygiene and general studies. Perhaps the most important effect of these activities is to raise the self-esteem, of not only the children, but also the whole village and to increase a sense of personal and political empowerment, which is so sadly lacking.

A CHRISTMAS PARTY

Just before Christmas I was invited to the teacher's "Christmas Party" at the HQ, which is currently in a pitiable rented hovel in Dhobi Village about 20km from Bodhgaya on the Grand Trunk Road. The building consists of two crude rooms of bare brick with a dirt floor, no windows and no electricity. It is situated in the corner of a waged courtyard, measuring about 10m by 5m and open to the sky. In the corner was a traditional mud brick hearth next to a cast iron hand pump. This space served as a kitchen. About 25 teachers began to arrive by bicycle or on foot. As the light began to fade and the cold night began to descend, the oven was fired up with cowdung and a huge vat of rice was set on heat, together with a lesser pot of mixed vegetables (subje). Only Jessie spoke English, so I found myself surrounded by a hive of incomprehensible activity. Class rolls were handed in for auditing, oil lamps were lit and a rug of sorts was rolled out onto the bare-earth ground in the courtyard.

With an air of respectful solemnity everyone sat on the rug and Jessie led a moment's quiet meditation. This was followed by, what I can only describe as, a sharing in song - someone would chant a line which they would feel moved to utter and all would repeat, then another line would follow and so on. Silence for a moment or two and someone else would begin. As I sat, watching, listening, trying to forget the cold creeping up from the earth under my blanket, the poignancy of the moment was overwhelming. A young teacher, no more than 15 years old, sitting in front of me in ragged shorts and thin cotton shirt, showed no signs of cold under his threadbare cotton shawl, but in one of the silent interludes I noticed a tear squeeze out from under his closed eyelids and run untended down his cheek

The 'sharing' came to a natural end and the courtyard was filled with activity and chatter again. Disposable plates, made of pressed leaves, were placed in front of each person - rice, dahl and subje all round and as fingers got busy kneading the sticky mess, once more silence fell over the gathering. Jessie turned to me and with a grin, said "You know Keith, we Indians are funny people. When we go out to shit in the fields, we never stop chattering to each other, but when we sit down to eat, we can never think of a thing to say. What is so different?"

With the eating finished, plates thrown into the surrounding field and sticky fingers washed, we had a surprise visit from Santa, who had a small gift for everyone. Before I knew what was happening, the male teachers had disappeared into one of the rooms and the women into the other and everyone had bedded down for the night. Fortunately for me Jessie had organised a floor in a nearby house, so that I wouldn't have to face the ordeal of the morning conversations, squatting in the local fields.

A NEW CENTRE

During the last year the landlord has quadrupled the rent, which has forced Jessie to buy her own land and set about constructing a purpose built centre. This will serve as a dwelling (for her), storeroom, office, toilet and a room large enough to train her teachers. Fortunately someone purchased 2.5 khattta of land (by my reckoning about 180 sq. m.) for her and in addition to the donation of $3,000.00, we gave her a further $7,000.00, which hopefully will see most of the building work completed. It is a testimony to Sr. Jessie's work that she is rather disdainful of these sort of developments, as she would rather all of the donated money go directly to the poor people whom she serves. But her sense of realism dictates that expenditure on such infrastructure (though minimal by western standards) is necessary for her to continue with her work and hopefully enlist like- minded people to help her.

If any of our friends or supporters could afford the airfare and say $ 35.00 per week and would like to spend a challenging, but immeasurably rewarding few months in the Bodhgaya region, I'm sure that Jessie would welcome their assistance.

2000 REPORT - MGA

The New Building

Jessie's new building was easy to find, set in the paddy fields a mere 150m from the main junction at Dobhi village and clearly visible from where the bus stops. She was overjoyed to see us but she seemed rather tired as she showed us around her new place. The building is unique in many respects, none the least for being a rare example of a new Indian building which does not look old and decaying before it is completed.

My first impression of the building was that it was a bit over the top particularly compared to the hovel that Jessie had been working and living in last year. But since my stay in Rishikesh, I realise that it is simply designed in the tradition of all ashrams, in that the most prominent feature is the temple. In Jessie's case, this is a bare room capable of holding maybe 60 people (30 westerners) with a high vaulted roof the typical shape of a hindu temple but without the excessive ornamentation. Set in a large alcove in one wall, behind a large glass window, is a rather confronting life sized image of a sitting Buddha with the head of a stereotypical western Christ. Adjoining this room are two other slightly smaller rooms which serve the dual purpose of teacher training rooms and dormitories for the teachers. Here it must be understood that when the common means of transport is a bicycle even the relatively short distances to the villages, in which they work and live, prove to be quite an ordeal especially after dark.

Other rooms in the building are a small, simple kitchen and a small private room for Jessie. The building is surrounded by vegetable garden and a high wall secured by large double steel gates. On the outside gate are three panels of a mural depicting Gandhi, Buddha and Jesus - her gurus. I asked her if she was happy with it and she simply sighed and said, "it is much bigger [better] than I thought it would be and the people are so poor".

The New Building

The Program

As far as her educational programs go there has been a steady expansion over the year. There are now 42 schools with 43 teachers. Some of the bigger schools have 2 or 3 teachers while some of the very small schools operate on only a part time basis with an itinerant teacher running between 2 or even 3 villages. With 25 out of 42 rolls to examine I counted 1624 children registered which will probably amount to 2600 children overall.

Apart from the increase in numbers the most significant change to enrolments has been the need to yield to pressure to bring non-Harijan children into the schools. Although these children are a significant minority Jessie feels that little by little the Harijan children will again become marginalised due to the deeply entrenched behaviour patterns in their social conditioning. Jessie enthralled both Dana and myself with stories of children running out during breaks to deftly catch rats which they would immediately barbecue on a fire or waste paper and sticks or forsaking their lessons to look after the family pig and so on.

Jessie has begun a policy of charging fees for each child more to imbue a sense of value for the education more than to raise money. This also allows for a minimal amount of affirmative action to counteract caste and gender inequities. From cursory look at the rolls it appears that only about 35% of the children are girls and 10% are new non-Harijan enrolments. At least as far as the upper caste enrolments go these are very early days. Another of Jessie's concerns is how to attract better (more qualified) teachers.

It is easy to forget that Jessie's efforts are not simply about education. In fact, as was stated in our last newsletter, "Education is the key" but the goal is social transformation. In addition to the school programs, Jessie has been trying to do work with the women, in particular the mothers of the children in the schools. In common with a number of other programs in similar situations, Jessie has been trying to instill confidence in women in their abilities to create and run small-scale income producing enterprises. This has to start with creating some experience with the handling of money at a level most of us take for granted.

Keith O'Neill

2001 REPORT - MGA

As always Jessie is an inspiration to me! She continues to inspire local Indians to help the less fortunate, improving the quality and breadth of her enterprises.

After the success of her chicken project, where chickens were given to poor families so that they could sell the eggs and breed other chickens and due to some very generous donations, Jessie has initiated a cow program. Cows are given into the care of a strong woman in a family unit. These cows give fuel (dung for burning), milk for nourishment and the selling or redistribution of calves to other poor families. This seems to be opening up a lot of possibilities for some poor families. I saw several of these cows on my journey.

Jessie has about 30 school projects with hundreds of children. My travelling friend, Les and I were both in tears to see these poor, barely clad children, sitting on cold cement floors doing their lessons. The teachers themselves were often barefoot or not that well dressed, but here they were doing what they could for the children. These village children soaked in whatever they could and I was reminded that not only the raw information of reading, writing, etc. was being passed on but the very ability to think, which is probably the greatest gift of all.

In a very difficult and sometimes resistant environment, Jessie continues to do her best for the poor. In one school that was held in an abandoned government building holding over 200 children, someone spread a rumour that there was a ghost in the building. Maybe this was due to resistance to lower caste education or because Jessie is a Christian (although she has no conversion activities) or for no clear reason at all. The result was that all of the children left the building and even after doing prayers and rituals by a Brahman priest only 1/3 have so far returned. In a superstitious and caste oppressive society these and dozens of other obstacles occur while trying to help the poor. Many aspects of village life particularly, seem to keep the poor ignorant and oppressed.

Eoin Liebchen-Meades

2002 REPORT - MGA

An encounter with Sr Jessie
by Karen Longlands

Sr Jessie is both an amazing and completely inspiring person. Extremely small in stature, she carried a tough exterior as evidence of years of hard work. She works tirelessly for the under privileged in India's poorest state Bihar. I liken her work to that of the Great Mother Theresa. Where Mother Theresa worked for the poor and sick, Sr Jessie is focusing her efforts on the poor and uneducated.

In Bihar there are very few schools and no incentive for the children to attend those that are available. Most children are unquestioningly prepared to follow in the footsteps of their parents, and their parents seem unaware of any alternative. The perpetuation of poverty and illness seem inevitable. The caste system is alive and well, removing any expectation that there is a way out of their current existence. With seemingly no national compassion for the situation in Bihar, it would appear a 'hopeless situation', yet it is within this environment that Sr Jessie struggles.

Sr Jessie's projects have included establishing up to 26 primary schools spread throughout the state of Bihar. Abandoned government buildings, churches or shaded tree areas are used as classrooms. The schools work to a curriculum, grouping children of any age according to basic numeracy and literacy skill levels. The teachers are by and large unqualified; some are paid a very small wage through Sr Jessie. Children, who have gained sufficient skills to share with others, teach some classes. Sr Jessie is doing everything she can to encourage government grants and overseas aid to fund her projects.

The wider community of the school is seen as an integral component of the projects success. Sr Jessie works with parents and village dignitaries, understanding the important support these groups can provide top the ongoing success of the education process. She has of course encountered difficulties with lack of community enthusiasm and resistance to her feverish belief in educating all caste groups together. As the wider community is itself poorly educated, the big picture benefits of education are difficult to illustrate. Yet she continues to try.

My introduction to Sr Jessie and her work left me exhausted physically and quite ill. It was an incredibly humid day, a day dedicated to the celebration of Gandhi's birthday. It had been explained to me earlier that we were to travel deep into Bihar country to attend a gathering of school children who had prepared a concert both to honour Gandhi's life, and recognize the teachings he has left us.

The school committee hired a four-wheel drive vehicle to make the three and half hour journey to the school concert. Once packed with supplies it quickly became apparent that everyone would not fit into the car-even after allowing for the usual excessive over loading of passengers. Against the vocal assertions of committee members, Sr Jessie got out of the car (with me in hand) suggesting she would travel by local bus. We had approximately six hours before the concert was due to start and she believed this to be sufficient time to make the journey.

That bus trip will certainly remain in my memory for a very long time. Overcrowding, heat, smells, stops, stares, changing buses, sweat, vomit, animals and a deafening noise, all combined into one experience. Through it all Sr Jessie, smiled, chatted to people, gave up her seat and shared her water. She was amazing. After approximately seven and a half hours travelling, we arrived at the site of the concert. Children, seated on the grass in the hot sun, quietly and excitedly watching their peers perform. Cheers erupted at the sight of Sr Jessie. We were offered beautiful garlands and every respect was provided by the village organizers. The concert continued with songs, chants, and skits performed. The clear underlying theme of every performance was the power of education.

The children, who attended different schools around the area, were all well versed in many chants, knowing the words by heart and yelling together with confidence. The chants were in local language and later were translated for me; 'education is for us', 'we will not be tricked by the rich, we want education too', 'we need education and we will work hard'.

Sr Jessie explained she works with the pure spirit of the children. She uses the example of Gandhi's peaceful resistance, providing an environment for the children to learn they can rise and reach their fullest potential. She believes the strength of her message is the acceptance of the children that they must take responsibility for themselves, and to work hard and use the opportunity provided to them. Following the concert, the children were provided with some fruit and bread and I had the long trip home to consider. There was an obvious respect and appreciation shown to Sr Jessie.

She was revered and clearly loved by all those present. It worried me to contemplate how much of her popularity was in expectation of her continuing ability to provide, organize and inspire this grass roots education program. It was clear that many people relied on her unending enthusiasm and continual dedicated support.

It was an exhausting day, my senses had been absolutely overloaded and much later in the evening, lying on my wooden bed, I achieved peace only in recalling that the day was over.

I found it astounding to consider that the events of the day were nothing special or out of the ordinary for Sr Jessie. It was just another day for this miraculous Christian nun.

This was to be one of three concerts I attended over the following week. All were inspiring and all left me with an underlying respect for Sr Jessie and her cause. Where total dedication and unwavering persistence is present, anything is possible. May we all learn from the beauty of her living example.

2003 Report - MGA
One Woman Can Make a Difference
Dana White

It had been three years since the last time I had visited with Sister Jessie. I've known Jessie since 1992, when I first started to go to Bodhgaya. She is one of those very special people whom I find incredibly inspiring. This time was no exception. I remember at one point in my visit recognising that she had been carrying on with this huge project the whole time I've known her which is now over 10 years!

Every day she does what needs to be done to keep the project flowing within a climate that is very challenging and often thwarts her work. She empowers the poor villagers of the Bodhgaya area. It's a huge task that only someone as inspired and dedicated to improving the lives of the poorest of the poor in Bihar could do.

This time, Eoin Meades, his son Toby, Caroline, a fellow manager from the Bodhgaya retreat, and I headed off for a day-long visit with Sister Jessie. It was wonderful to experience the very peaceful environment that she has created in the home of Massihi Gynodaya Abhiyan. It really is a sanctuary. Her gardens are thriving and I felt happy to know that finally she has a place where she can rest and be renewed after the very challenging work of keeping the project going. In our hired jeep, we went to three different villages this particular day.

It really is quite an event visiting a school. As soon as Sister Jessie arrives a crowd of villagers gathers around the school. I'm always struck by the way she relates to the villagers. Her manner communicates so much respect and belief in their own capacity to keep the schools going and to create a better life for themselves. This visit, I began to think that this in itself is a very transforming aspect of this project. These villagers who are really the bottom of the ladder, even in poor villages, are shown that they are important just by Sister Jessie's wish to be involved with them. She is helping them to improve the conditions of their and their children's lives. In a country where these people are considered "the untouchables" this is indeed a powerful message of caring.

It really was incredible to go to each of the schools and find so many children working away with either their books and pencils or on their slates. What they are learning is quite elementary in some ways because the instructors are not highly educated themselves. Slowly but surely however these children and their parents are accepting the value of education, which is the essential goal of this project. It is amazing to think that none of these children would have any opportunity to go to school because there are no schools there for them and, if there were, their parents would probably not send them.

Sister Jessie has worked hard and long to convince the parents that sending these children to school is important. If they were not at school, most would be at home helping with the daily chores. This is particularly true of little girls who, particularly in the lower castes, are not educated. It's a wonderful sight to see a row of little girls learning to read and write. At these times, I know that substantial change is happening.

I find each time I go out with Sister Jessie that I'm moved to tears both by her strength and her commitment to this work and also by the children themselves who are obviously so proud of themselves sitting there in such simple settings learning the alphabet and how to write Hindi. It's a real treat when they sing us a song which Sister Jessie has usually taught them. They just light up as they perform for us.

Part of the daily routine in the schools is to say various inspiring sayings which are taken from the teachings of Mahatma Ghandi and others. It teaches the children healthy values such as respect and nonviolence. It's heartening to hear the children wholeheartedly yelling out these phrases.

There are many different projects that Sister Jessie has initiated over the years. It's not easy, though. We saw a project where a large fish pond was started this year but due to some problems with construction and the villagers being sold bad stocks of fish, the project flopped. Still she's not giving up. They are going to try it again this year. Through the years one thing I have seen over and over again is that Sister Jessie does not give up. She just tries again!

I strongly encourage you to continue to support Sister Jessie in her work. Each time I go to the Bodhgaya area, I'm touched deeply by the difference it makes to these villagers to know that there are people in far-off countries in the Western world who support their children to become literate and to better the lives of the villagers.

Sister Jessie is very open to people coming and visiting the project and helping in whatever way they can. If you find yourselves in India in this area, do go and visit her and see what she is doing. Words don't adequately describe the power of her work, which can only be seen in the villages where she is so deeply committed to the empowerment and well being of the people.

MASSIHI GYANJYOYI PROJECT - 2005 Report
Sister Jessie

Hello everyone!

The Girl's boarding school in Dobhi has been offically open for a month. Our 24 students have been working hard, studying English, Hindi, Science, History, Social Studies, Math, sewing, knitting, and drawing. All the girls are about 12 years old, and are Harijans. They're from caste groups considered to be very low, and the caste system is still very much a part of life here in Bihar. Many would have no education if it were not for Jessi's schools.

It is amazing to see how quickly they are picking up on new skills! English and drawing are being taught by myself, we have experienced local teacher named Basudev teaching most classes, and Jayanti teaching swing and knitting. Already many girls are done creating their first project- a scarf.

At our school we have tried to simplify our rules to two which should be followed by everyone: To be kind, and to work hard. We have been working hard to teach the girls to follow these two rules. In addition, Jessi has been teaching them the values that Gandhi preached. Beginning with non-violence, each day the girls reflect on one value in their diary.

Speaking of diaries- we have been having the girls write an entry everyday! We have already seen improvement in their writing. More comprehensive sentences, and the ability to write in greater depth is already appearing from their hard work.

A few days ago we were also fortunate enough to recieve many of the Class 6, 7, and 8 text books. They are already studying these new texts. It is our goal to try to help them pass their Junior High
School Exams, at the end of this year.

Each day the girls eat their typical meal of rice and sabhgi (potatoes, spices, vegetables) or kitcherie (a mixture of rice and daal). At night they sleep under the protection of our two faithful watch dogs (or watch dog and watch-puppy!) Rex and Pixie.

The school functions purely on outside donations. It costs $1200 for about a month of food, teaching, supplies, books, etc, That is approximately $50 per student. We would like to find sponsors for each of our girls for the school year at $50 a month. The normal functioning of the school and its residential program is generally covered by the generous donations received from donor groups like the BDA.

Unfortunately,. recent developments have forced us to broaden our areas of responsibility. There have been no substantial rains over the last three seasons. This long standing drought is taking its toll on the local community, with many students families reporting deaths in their families due to hunger. Finding access to aid at this time appears to be impossible.

All of the children in our schools are very poor and whilst we can support our student's needs, it is their families that need extra support at this time.

SJ

Letter from Sister Jessie (2006)

Dear Friends of the Massihi Gyanoday Abhiyan

The vision of the Massihi Gyanoday Project is to provide education to the people of the lowest caste in Dobhi and its surrounding villages. It is my hope that one day the people will be able to educate them selves and in turn be able to increase their standard of living to include health care and economic livelihood. It is law that all people are entitled to a government provided education, however, many of the children of the lower castes are sent out of the government classrooms. This project has been created to remedy this injustice in society.

To my amazement the project has flourished over the past 15 years and the community is already seeing its benefits. For example, the parents of the girls in the residential school program have agreed to regularly send their children to the ashram for vocational training. Previously, the parents were suspicious of the project's intentions, and currently, the parents trust the project.

The project addresses health related, economic, and educational needs of the people. The homeopathic clinic operates bi-weekly and provides medical assistance to up to 130 local people. Various members of the villages have volunteered and taught others how to manage livestock such as cows, pigs and chickens. Most importantly, the people learned how to manage their income and keep savings. As well, educational services are being provided to 55 villages in the surrounding area.
International volunteers and I have taught local teenagers and young adults, mathematics, English and Hindi who in turn teach students in the villages. There is also a residential school program that has provided vocational training for physically challenged girls of the lowest castes.

The MGA project has expanded and it has now the potential to reach many more people in need and to increase the standards of service. To achieve these goals, I have decided to share the responsibilities of the project with a group of sisters from Orissa, the Hand Maids of Mary. These are members of the Society of St Theresa.

The Hand Maids of Mary have moved into the ashram and by mid next year will take the full responsibility for the management of its daily chores. They have also agreed to continue the residential school program for the girls and manage the homeopathic clinic. Education and health care are the areas of strength and resource within the Sisters supporting congregation.

The Hands Maids of Mary have greatly developed the vision of the project. Improvements in all services will take place. We would like to have a school built in the field in front of the ashram. Then to have a vehicle purchased for a mobile homeopathic clinic.

The Sisters have set up supporting financial structures and hope to receive the BDA's ongoing support in realizing the project's expanded goals. One project the sisters and I have launched, and would like to commence by next year, is the building of a new school.
In May 2007, I will focus on my core work with the volunteer teachers in the village schools as my heart remains intricately tied to the local students and their needs. I will take up residence in a smaller dwelling where I can have more time for contemplation.

With love and blessings,
Sister Jessie

Note: The BDA have made contact with the Hand Maids of Mary and we will watch this development with interest.

Drought Relief News

The MGA is very thankful for the BDA's generous support. The assistance and funds have worked well in providing for the shortfall in food and basic necessities caused by ongoing drought in Bihar.

The size of your response called for two separate activities. The first involved the delivery of five tons of rice to ten of the worst-hit villages. It took all of our staff and many of the students. It was conducted on the day we normally have prayers and celebrations to mark the birth of Gandhiji. Transporting and distributing the rice proved a very different way to celebrate this year.

Our next mega distribution was to 500 parents of our children in fifty-five villages served by the MGA. Because it would have been difficult to carry supplies back to their villages, up to thirty kilometres in some cases, we provided money for local purchases. A blanket was also provided to each family.

May all people who have contributed to these events, be merited by this big Puja/Seva.
Thankfully this year the rains have been more substantial. Hopefully, the wide spread food shortages of the last few seasons will not be repeated. If significant feed can be harvested, then hopefully we can start replacing roofs that are missing due to insufficient straw, and distributing cows to support the needy families.

Due to the better season we are also planning an annual Mela fete, the first function conducted with the Hand Maidens of Orissa. Participants will include children from all the 55 centres around Dobhi. They will be able to display their good works produced throughout the year. The fete will be held at the Dobhi Ashram on18-20 December.
You are all welcome if your time permits.

Thanking you again on behalf of the poor people of Bihar and the MGA at large. May all be blessed and be rewarded with love.
Jessie

Volunteering in the Gyanyoti Ashram (2006)

A number of people have expressed interest in going to India to work with Jessie. But they would like a better idea of what to expect. The following is an account from two young volunteers from Denmark helping Sr Jessie in Dobhi, Bihar.

Hello Kim
I thought I was writing a potential volunteer. But this is even better. I did not know about the BDA, and the fact that the group supports Sister Jessie. I am very glad to hear you do.
It sounds really good that you might send Australian people to help out in Bihar! Especially, as the need for volunteers at the ashram seems quite urgent to me. If they could come regularly it would make an enormous difference.

Anyway, I will attempt to give you and supporters of Sr Jessie some impressions of what it was like as a helper with Sr Jessie.

We lived and worked in the ashram from the middle of January to end of March.
She has room enough and could accommodate a maximum 4 people in the ashram
It was not ideal, that we only stayed in the ashram for 2 months, because it was hard for Jessie to really benefit from such a short stay. It took a while before we got used to it and learned the routines and customs. It would have been better if we could have stayed a little longer. It also would have helped if she knew there was someone to continue the work after we left.

So news of volunteers coming regularly seems like a very good idea to me! What does Sister Jessie say about it? Well, she has not had more than two volunteers at a time. This makes it hard to start new initiatives.

However the projects and the responsibilities she gave us would never be bigger than something she knew she could not follow up and do herself when we left.

I will now attempt to answer your questions one by one.

What would I be expected to do?
We were actually not expected to do anything when we arrived. It was mainly up to us to decide what we might be able to do.
In the beginning we found it hard to really be useful when it came to teaching and helping in the clinic.
So when we were still having the new India "look" and were adapting to the place, we would mostly be helping out with cleaning, gardening, cleaning the cow shed, milking the cow, cooking and whatever was to be done. So if nothing else, it will always be helpful for Jessie to have helpers to get those day-to-day things done. If we did not help her, she would most probably have to do those things herself!

As time went by, we and Sister Jessie both had some ideas and we started out by teaching very basic English in the local school. Soon we would also be teaching the teachers and potential teachers some English. The other work was to help out in the homeopathic clinic by registering the patients.

It was a great challenge to communicate with the patients and writing down their Hindi names with English letters. But as we learned a few Hindu phrases and they got used to us it became a bit easier.

After a month we decided to take about 10 young girls to the ashram and give them a short but intensive course of handicraft, Hindi, math, English and art. We knew very little of Indian knitting and sewing but did all we could to teach some simple art and English. In that way, Sister Jessie had some extra help with the classes. But the most important help was probably the way we could give her a break from the responsibility of being in charge of 10 girls and taking care of them.

We never learned good Hindi, but after 2 months we were able to communicate with the girls who had also learned a tiny bit of English. That was essential to our stay, because people in the area don't know English. So I would say that it would be helpful to spend some time on learning a bit of Hindi when you arrive. But again, nothing is expected of you!

What skills do I need?
We do not have any particular skills when it comes to teaching and assisting in the medical clinics. We actually only speak English as a third language, and have only just finished 13 years of school. To do something like this it was very important to have a whole lot of courage, a lot of patience, a great sense of understanding, a great flexibility and the capability of adjusting. And finally the most important skill is the motivation to share your love with the children and people who need it.

What guidelines does Jesse work by?
I think that is a question for her to answer. As far as I know there are no rules in the ashram.

How long a stay would be appropriate?
As I wrote, the 2 months of our stay might have been too short. I would suggest the ideal stay would be from 3 to 6 months. It takes a lot of energy to adapt, and only after knowing the place (and maybe some Hindi) would you be a great help.

How do I provide for myself?
You need to be aware that there is no electricity in Dobhi (the village) and all water you need is to be pumped up from the ground with a pump. This was no problem to us, even though we had never been in India before or tried anything like this. You need to adjust totally to the way of living to be of help in the Ashram.

We both found the experience very special and it was really great to live there. We felt very safe inside the ashram, even though it seemed a bit unfriendly around the village. You will live in a nice room with a bathroom and a small kitchen and with vegetables and rice from the local market and the garden you will be able to cook for yourself.

Is it appropriate to suggest a program?
I think that is very appropriate!
Sister Jessie was very interesting to talk to, and for most of our spare time we talked to her and learned incredibly about India. She was a great source of knowledge and inspiration for us, and we enjoyed her company very much.

As for the project, which you have probably already read a lot about, I will just say that the spirit and the ideology are beautiful. But the work is not easy and there is a long way to go to get the people of the area enlightened. So I hope you feel like helping Sister Jessie in helping the people. It is really needed, and it will be a great experience for anyone. It is nice to hear what a beautiful thing that the BDA is doing.

Take care,
Rie Poulsen

2007 Sister Jessie Update

Kim Lewis

Since our last newsletter Sister Jessie has been very busy preparing the Dobhi Ashram for the handover of the daily running of its activities to the Sisters of Mary. Having the Sisters manage the clinic, the school and general community activities would have given Jessie the time to focus on her core work, the education and community building programs for the disadvantaged in the rural communities around Dobhi in Bihar State. Unfortunately, the handover to the Sisters has been delayed. We will pass on news of their arrival when it becomes available.

Despite the delay Sister Jessie is pushing ahead with a very full program for the rest of 2007. But first off it may help to give you some context and the size and scope of her work. Luckily, Jessie has been receiving an increasing number of visitors who assist her in the chores around the ashram as well as the work of developing teachers and running programs that support the rural schools.

Below is a report from one visitor, Froukje Bats, a 35 year old woman from the Netherlands, who arrived in March.

On Tuesday the 6th of March I arrived in Sister Jessie's ashram to stay with her for almost four weeks. Two years ago I stayed with a Hindi-speaking friend in Bodhgaya at the Burmese Vihar and we met Sister Jessie there and she invited us to visit her ashram. I was touched by her warm-heartedness and the work she was doing for poor people. So it came that after two years of writing e-mails and learning some Hindi I returned to Dobhi to actually see and experience what she was doing.

After picking me up from Gaya Railway station at 4.30 in the early morning we arrived at the ashram. The first thing that struck me was that there were no girls! As you may know, every year a group of 25 teenage girls stay at Sister Jessie's ashram. Here they learn some basic English, health, hygiene, knitting, sewing and the most importantly: to read and write Hindi. But unfortunately a volunteer who had promised to come for half a year cancelled her trip to India. The work would be too much for Sister Jessie alone, so she had to say no to the girls.

I saw though that even without the girls Sister Jessie's life is very busy. Each day there are many people from Dobhi and other villages who come to her to ask for help, advice or a blessing and a prayer in the temple. As most people are Hindu they see Jesus as one of the gods. When sister Jessie and I go out for a walk lots of bright smiling children run to Jessie shouting 'Pranaam Didiji !'. And not only the children, but the adults as well greet her with respect and happiness.

Clinic

Every Wednesday and Saturday the homeopathic clinic is open from 10.00 to 15.00. The doctor and Jessie treat about 140 patients in those five hours! While other clinics charge about 100 Rupees [A$3.00] for a consultation Jessie asks only 4 to 5 Rupees [12-15 cents Australian]. As Jessie has worked for such a long time with these doctors she has come to know what works for which people and the results have been very good. People come from Dobhi but also from remote villages to get treatments. They come from about 20 villages and some have to walk long distances to reach the clinic, as they cannot afford to pay the bus fare ... or there is no bus at all. My Hindi was far too poor to understand what kind of diseases these people suffered from but it was easy to see that many children have skin diseases and ear infections. There were also many cases of women's problems and rheumatism. For more severe problems like broken bones, people have to go to Gaya (and pay a lot). For all other problems they keep coming to Jessie's clinic.

Distribution of cows

Thursday 8 March was 'International Women's Day'. A good day to distribute money for heifers (2-year old cows) to women who are cast-less and very poor. Two years ago Jessie distributed money for piglets in various villages to these women. She explained to them at the time that they should sell the offspring of the pigs and start a bank account to save some money for accidents, problems or old age (retiring and getting a pension is unknown here). This way they would escape the moneylender's net. Jessie promised that she would give them money for a heifer after two years when they could show the passbook of the bank and the savings. The teachers who work in the villages had made a list of the women who had fulfilled this condition.

Of course all these women want to have a heifer which will give milk for their children within two years. Jessie explained that these people's diet is very poor and contains most of the time only rice and chili. Even dahl (lentils) is too expensive for them and a luxury. If these people survive childhood they usually die before reaching the age of 45 - 50. So giving them milk's protein will at least give their children a chance to get better school results. The cows graze on community land, so Jessie told me that there will be enough food for them. Unfortunately it is not possible to grow vegetables on this land to get a better diet.

The first day Jessie gave money to eighty women for heifers. A week later another seventy four women received money. We had planned on the 20th of March to visit some villages to see for ourselves if the women had bought the heifers on the cattle market. Unfortunately there was a strike, so there was no bus or rickshaw available. But the head teacher, Basudev, told Jessie that lots of women already bought a heifer. Jessie distributed cows years before and she told me that the living conditions of the poorest people really had improved.

Distribution of land to replace dowry

It was announced in December '06 that parents with 4 or more daughters will be helped out to ease the heavy load of the dowry system. Generally, the parents of the bride are expected to provide to the groom's father things like bicycles, radios, watches and utensils. Because these people are very poor they are forced to borrow money from moneylenders at huge interest, sometimes making themselves bonded labourers to the lenders. Instead of giving these articles which have a limited life, Jessie told the parents that she would help them to buy land for the bride and groom. So money was given for this on Tuesday the 20th of March. Twenty six parents had come and some generous donors had already given saris and watches, which were also distributed on that day.

The Village Schools

Sister Jessie considers her work for the schools as her most important task. As long as people are illiterate they will never be able to free themselves from the bondage of poverty. In the Gaya district Jessie started 50 schools, run by 40 teachers. The head teacher, Basudev, visits the schools regularly to see how the children and their teachers are doing. There are senior teachers in the smaller regions as well. Every Monday twenty teachers come to Jessie's ashram for lessons and instruction.

Jessie sees every teacher twice a month. She teaches them Hindi and math. But above all things she teaches the art of teaching children. I attended one lesson in which the teachers had to write a short story to tell the children. Some of the teachers had obviously fun in this storytelling task. One of the female teachers was speaking in a very low voice. Later on Jessie explained that she used to be even more shy, but that after all the attention she was now much more spontaneous. After the lesson Jessie gives the teachers some money for bus fare and food.

Every Thursday the teachers' leaders come for a meeting at the ashram to discuss progress and problems.

In the first week we visited three schools in one morning. It took at least an hour to reach the first school as the roads were very bad and the rickshaw driver was only able to crawl along. One school was in a building, the others were in the open air. The children were singing for us to show what they had learnt. Afterwards Jessie gave them a short writing task to see what sort of skills they had. There is still much room for improvement but it is a great achievement that these children whose parents cannot write or read will learn to read the newspaper, or at least cannot be cheated while signing official documents.As Sister Jessie keeps repeating: 'education is the one and only answer to poverty and all other social evils, such as exploitation and oppression of poor women and girls especially'.

Baby, a teenage girl, works after school two hours in the ashram. She collects cow dung, cuts the straw for the cows, helps watering the plants and does some sweeping. She earns 10 Rupees [30 cents Australian] a day, besides all the extras (a dress, some food to bring home, etc.) Her parents are illiterate. Her mother works in a hotel for truckers in Dobhi. She washes the dishes and prepares the masala 6 hours a day, 7 days a week. Her wage is 14 Rupees [42 cents Australian] a week.

Imagine! 14 Rupees is not even enough to buy 2 kg of rice or half a kilo of dahl. Jessie could hardly believe it and was upset about it. And if Baby's mother quits the job, many women want to have it because in their opinion earning 14 Rupees is better than earning nothing. The cause is illiteracy as these people don't know about minimum wages and ways to protest.

Sister Jessie does marvellous things for the poor in this region under difficult circumstances. The heat is oppressive at times but Sister Jessie still does a lot every day. All the water she needs has to be pumped by a hand pump. Because of the dust everywhere cleaning and sweeping daily is necessary to keep healthy. The cows, (one of them is a milking cow), have to be watered and fed many times a day. Between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning she gets up to meditate and pray till sunrise. She does the same at sunset. She told me that these moments of silence in the presence of the Lord give her the strength, love and peace to continue her work.

Tomorrow I'll return to Holland, grateful for the good time and to have seen so much.

2007 Programs

We've had some long discussions with Sister Jessie about what she finds in the life of the villages of Bihar. In these discussions a couple of initiatives keep coming up in conversations.

The first one is to help reduce the toil that dominates the lives in these remote villages, especially for the women. The village people there sometimes have to walk long distances for water. One simple solution is to sink wells and fit them with hand water pumps. Jessie's inquiries have found that the water table in most of the villages runs at 16 – 25 metres. This means that approximately 100 –150 A$ could sink one well with a pump.

The second initiative is born out of the need to encourage the teachers in the villages. A large part of Sister Jessie's work revolves around nurturing these teachers. Isolation, relieved only by occasional visits by Jessie and the training retreats in Dobhi, can sap the enthusiasm of these inexperienced providers who are far from help and peer support. Communications, like phone and internet are virtually non existent for most of India's poor. Thankfully, this might all change rather rapidly.

The United Nations Development Fund has encouraged a number Indian IT companies to come up with a "Sub $100 Battery powered Internet PC" for rural communities. Built from recycled processors, hard memory, cut down software and no hard drive that link into a system of communication hubs to tie it all together. With local government support these initiatives are just beginning to bear fruit in rural India. A range of low cost units are now available. A little more research is all that's required to match the systems chosen for the Gaya district. We will find this out soon and hopefully source units by the end of the year.

So there we have it. Internet access to give peer support for rural teachers. Wells that bring water within reach of needy families. We feel these are progressive initiatives. Making a difference and supportive of Sister Jessie's work.

Nameste