Catholic nuns belonging to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) are helping youth recover from substance abuse in the Jashpur Diocese in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
“In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we have committed ourselves to addressing the issue of substance abuse among the youth,” said Sr. Emelda Kujur, FMM.
“With the help of the youth themselves, we are planning to identify those who are most vulnerable, those caught in addiction, and reach out to them with love and compassion,” she added.
She and other FMM nuns, along with collaborators, are leading a flagship program called “Ripples of Compassion Towards the Youth of Today.” It embodies the idea that small acts of kindness and empathy toward young people can have wide-reaching effects, creating a wave of transformation that extends beyond the visible horizon.
“After years of working with the youth, I’ve come to realize that my mission is not to change them, but to reveal the love and mercy of Christ that already dwells within them,” said Sr. Emelda.
“In this Jubilee Year of the Church, I find deep joy in sharing my journey of youth ministry among the tribal community of Jashpur Diocese, where we work with around 500 young girls living in the hostel and with parish youth in five communities,” she shared.
Nestled in the heart of nature and tribal culture, Jashpur is home to vibrant yet vulnerable youth. They are sons and daughters of the soil, brave, bright, and rooted in values, but often left to navigate a rapidly changing world with little guidance.
The youth face conflicting pressures: addiction to alcohol, drugs, and social media; disinterest in studies; and a widening gap with their parents. Many parents, burdened by life’s challenges, struggle to guide their children.
“Since the pandemic, I have seen this gap grow. But even in this brokenness, I have witnessed incredible strength and the longing for connection, purpose, and belonging in the youth,” Sr. Emelda said.
In this context, the Church recognizes that youth are rays of hope and blessings for tomorrow.
“We don’t just teach or preach; we walk with them and believe in them when they don’t believe in themselves,” she explained. “The essence of our youth ministry here is simple yet profound: to listen deeply, to love patiently, and to lift them gently from their brokenness.”
“We offer them our presence more than programs; we respond to their wounds with understanding and to their silence with a listening heart,” she added.
One unforgettable encounter that truly rippled compassion was with a young girl named Dipasa Minj. On July 1, 2024, she stood alone on a dusty road, eyes full of sorrow and hope. She had come seeking admission to Class 6 at Deen Palika Middle School, Kansabel, carrying nothing but determination. Her mother had left with her younger siblings, leaving her in the care of her elderly father. When she expressed her desire to stay in the hostel and continue her education, the nuns were ready to help.
“We welcomed her as one of our own and did everything possible to support her,” recalled Sr. Emelda.
The FMM nuns took excellent care of her. Witnessing her struggle, the other hostel girls stepped forward with acts of kindness, sharing their books, clothes, and smiles. That simple gesture of solidarity, born from compassion, created ripples that touched many hearts.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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