The SCN Mission in Phudumbah, Meghalaya
Written by Elsy Kotteriyil, SCN
Tucked away in the verdant hills of Meghalaya, Phudumbah is a remote village in the Diocese of Nongstoin, one of the youngest dioceses in northeastern India. Surrounded by pine-clad hills, misty landscapes and close-knit Khasi communities, the village reflects both the beauty and challenges of rural life.
While rich in faith, culture and community spirit, Phudumbah has long faced limitations in educational and health care facilities. It is here that the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have begun a mission of presence, service and hope. This journey began with a dream shared by the late Bishop of Nongstoin, Wilbert Marwein, and the courageous response of the Sisters to venture into the unknown.
“Sometimes a mission begins not with a grand plan, but with a simple conviction: This is where we are needed.”
What Others Overlooked
When Lilly Luka, SCN, first visited Phudumbah, she saw more than picturesque landscapes. She encountered a neglected school building that had stood without proper maintenance for over 30 years. Only 20 students were enrolled in grades 1 through 8. There were no teachers, little academic structure and many children walked nearly 5 kilometers daily to attend schools elsewhere. For many, education ended after grade 8 because secondary schools were too far away.
Health care services were distant. The nearest health facility was 25 kilometers away. The parish was 7 kilometers from the village, and there was no permanent presence of priests or religious sisters.
Standing amid these realities, Sister Lilly sensed a clear invitation from God.
“This is the place where we are needed,” she recalls. “I felt that God was calling us to serve these people.”
What she also discovered was a community waiting with open hearts.
“The people were simple, generous and longing for the Sisters’ presence,” Sister Lilly says.
A Welcome Written in Generosity
The Sisters’ arrival was met not with hesitation but with extraordinary hospitality.
One of Sister Lilly’s earliest memories remains vivid. While she and her first companion, Mrs. Kristline Kharbani, were gathering firewood, village children noticed their efforts. Without being asked, they climbed pine trees, cut branches and carried the wood to the Sisters’ home. Soon the news spread across the village. Before long, a pickup truck full of firewood appeared in their backyard.
Such gestures became a hallmark of life in Phudumbah. When the Sisters arrived to establish their residence, villagers came carrying everything they thought a household might need, from cooking pots and provisions to knives and even matchboxes. Their generosity reflected not abundance of resources but abundance of heart.
“The people shared everything they had,” says Sister Lilly. “We experienced God’s providence through them.”
Building More Than a School
The school quickly became the center of the mission’s efforts. Before the new academic year began, meetings were organized with village elders, parents, teachers and community leaders. Together, they discussed how to revive the neglected institution.
What followed was a remarkable example of collective ownership. Villagers contributed money, labor and materials. Windows were repaired, walls painted, doors restored and classrooms renewed. By the time the school reopened, the building had regained its dignity.
The change was immediate. Student enrollment rose from just 20 children to 132 within a year. Attendance improved significantly. Teachers embraced new methods of instruction. School programs and co-curricular activities were introduced for the first time, helping students develop confidence and discover their talents.
That confidence became visible when students participated in interschool competitions and performed exceptionally well. The school was no longer merely a building. It had become a sign of possibility.
The Language of Love
As the mission grew, new Sisters joined the community. Anila, SCN, arrived several months after the mission began and quickly won the affection of students and villagers alike. Though the language barrier posed challenges, she immersed herself in school life and community activities with enthusiasm and warmth.
Unfortunately, health concerns required her to leave earlier than expected, but her contribution remains fondly remembered.
In July 2026, Noela Tamang, SCN, arrived in Phudumbah and immediately found herself captivated by its beauty.
“It felt like a sacred canvas where nature itself reflects the grace of God,” she writes.
Beginning her ministry as a teacher was not easy. The unfamiliar language often left her feeling inadequate. Yet she chose to invest herself wholeheartedly in the children, especially those who struggled academically.
Over time, she witnessed not only the growth of her students but also her own growth.
“Beside them, I am growing spiritually,” she reflects. “I am learning patience, deepening my capacity to love and expanding my heart with compassion.”
Her ministry extends beyond the classroom into homes where she joins families in prayer and the Rosary, sharing both their joys and their burdens.
Discovering Heaven on Earth
For Swastika Kiro, SCN, arriving in Phudumbah felt almost like entering heaven.
“The air was free from dust and city noise. The green hills looked like carpets spread across the landscape,” she recalls.
What fascinated her even more was encountering the Khasi culture she had once only read about. In this matrilineal society, daughters inherit family names and property, and women hold significant responsibility within family life.
Yet it was the people’s faith that touched her most deeply. She remembers visiting the home of a student. The family had no biscuits or refreshments to offer their guests. Instead, they generously shared the rice and curry prepared for their own meal.
For Sister Swastika, that simple gesture revealed the depth of Khasi hospitality and trust in God. Though language barriers continue to challenge her, she believes that love itself has become a bridge.
“I am using the language of love,” she says with a smile.
Stories of Courage and Grace
Among the many lives touched by the mission is that of Evangeline Nongsiej, a single mother raising three children after being abandoned by her husband. Unable to afford schooling for all her children, she kept her eldest daughter at home to care for a younger sibling while she worked in the fields.
During a family visit, the Sisters learned of the girl’s desire to study. Through sponsorship support, she was enrolled in school.
Today, Evangeline runs a small tea stall in the local market and no longer depends entirely on daily wage labor. What inspires the Sisters is not merely her resilience but her steadfast trust in God.
“You are sent by God into my life,” Evangeline told them.
Her story is one among many reminders that mission is not simply about programs. It is about accompanying people and helping them discover new possibilities.
A Community of Faith
While the Sisters came to serve, they soon realized they also had much to learn. They discovered a people deeply rooted in faith and community life. Sundays are observed with remarkable reverence. Shops remain closed, work ceases and families gather for worship and fellowship.
Community decisions are respected. Villages organize collective cleaning drives. During funerals, planting seasons or times of illness, neighbors naturally come together to support one another. The Sisters often speak of being evangelized by the very people they came to serve.
“Their childlike trust in God strengthens our own faith,” says Sister Lilly.
The mission has also strengthened parish life. Through regular family visits and pastoral accompaniment, participation in church activities has steadily increased. More children, youth and families are now actively involved in parish programs and Sunday worship.
Walking Together
The road ahead remains long. Challenges such as educational access, economic opportunities and rapid social change continue to shape the lives of the people of Phudumbah. Yet hope is unmistakably present.
A new road connecting the region is improving accessibility. Awareness of documentation requirements and government services has increased. Educational opportunities continue to expand. Most importantly, a growing sense of confidence is emerging among the people themselves.
Looking ahead, Sister Lilly dreams of a self-reliant community where every child has access to quality education and every family has opportunities to flourish. If the mission could tell its own story, she says, it would speak of “humble beginnings, quiet resilience and steady growth.”
Perhaps that is precisely the story of Phudumbah. Not a story of dramatic miracles, but of ordinary people, steadfast faith and a community discovering together that hope can take root even in the most remote corners of the hills.
As the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth continue their journey among the people of Phudumbah, the mission stands as a living reminder that where compassion meets courage, change begins.