Residents of Maweit, a remote village in West Khasi Hills are mourning the loss of a nun from Spain who set up a small village for people in need of a home.
Sister Elena Helen of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus first reached Maweit in 1992 and contributed immensely to the poor villagers in terms of providing medicines and deliveries for pregnant mothers and other mission works.
Her great work which left imprints in people’s heart was buying a land at Mawblang in Maweit for 20 households and then helping them to set up their homes and named it ‘Camino’ (meaning Way in Spain) in 2000.
What left the people of Maweit heartbroken was them unable to see her face the last time. Sister Helena visited her family in Spain in 2019 and due to the Coronavirus could not return. She passed away after a brief illness on January 27, last at the age of 88.
“We are indebted to Sister Helena. She dedicated her life for others and served humanity at its best,” a resident of Camino said recalling how she spent every paise from her pocket to get them a land they now call a home.
Sister Helena was also remembered for spending her own resources to support and sponsor weddings of couples and higher education for youth from Maweit.
Our reporter visited Camino and residents still mourn the death of Sister Helena. What impacted them was their inability to say a final goodbye.
“We are now orphaned because she was a mother figure who provided not only our physical needs but she was a person very close to our hearts,” another said.
