Impressions of the first three stations which Sr. Lucila Zovak visited in the province are the communities: Kurseong, Mamring and Sonada.
Kurseong: The local language is Nepali. The Christians are a minority. This area is known by the vast tea gardens up to an altitude of 2000 meter above the sea level. Most of them work in tea gardens for their livelihood. People love singing, music and dance.
Already in 1964, the sisters began with many activities to improve the situation of the people. They started with a Home Science school for girls and young women. As there was not enough students to pursue this course it was closed down. Today there is a vocational school with secretarial course.
Mamring: About Darjeeling Hills it is said, “God’s wonderful creation”. The breath taking view of it makes you forget all your problems. People live in a very simple manner in this “remote” area. Since the year 2005 there is a proper road to this place. Correspondingly, the needs of the people are great. The sisters are engaged in education, pastoral and health care, especially for the women.
Sonada: is situated just in the middle of vast tea gardens, 2000 meters above sea level. Most people earn their livelihood by working in tea gardens.
Average climate: 18.4 ° C. The warmest month of the year is August, with an average temperature of 18.4°C. January has the lowest average temperature of the year with 7.5°C. Of course, the people don’t have heating system.
The convent was established in 1968. The main purpose of starting this community was to make avail medical care, since there were no hospitals nearby. Later, the sisters started a Home Science School to support the young girls. Today the school has classes from Montessori to higher secondary with 1750 students. The classes V-XII are exclusively for girls. The boarding school has 100 students. To be involved in Parish activities and taking care of the Parish Church are integral part of the life of the sisters.
