Arriving in Kerala

I arrived at the Auxilium Navajyothi Convent School early on Sunday morning after a harrowing ride through the streets of Calicut with Sister Elizabeth and her driver in the school jeep. Sister Elizabeth, the Mother Superior at the convent, had been waiting patiently outside in the sun for an hour in her impeccable white habit and she stood smiling at the end of the ramp when I walked outside the airport doors.


The convent is about a thirty minute drive and Sister Elizabeth's driver nimbly drove the narrow roads at high speed with cars, motorcycles, tuk tuks and buses aiming towards us for a head-on collision every step of the way. Sister told me not to bother with a seatbelt as I was in good hands.

The girls in the upper grades who board at the school were waiting for our arrival. The girls live in a room on the second floor of their school and are looked after by Sister Marcy, who also runs the post tenth grade school and teaches English. They are well cared for and spend their time studying, singing and completing their chores. They are preparing for entrance exams for university studies.


The upper school and some of the girls who are residents.


The convent where I am staying.