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October 23, 2002 

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SISTER JOAN: DEDICATED TO THE REHABILITATION OF ALCOHOLICS AND DRUG ADDICTS

Sister Joan Chunkappura, 'Trada', Manganam, Kottayam

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“Long ago I used to go around the fishermen’s huts of Kollam on a bicycle, preaching to them the evils of alcoholism.  Pelted stones were the rewards we got then.  Today alcoholics come to me.  At the time of departure after de-addiction, they and their dear ones present me with tears of joy.  And that is my reward”, says Sister Joan Chunkappura, 'Trada', Manganam, Kottayam, who has dedicated her life to the rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts.

Her parents named her in memory of the pioneer, Joan of Arc.  She was the Arts Club Secretary in B.C.M.College, Kottayam and had talents in singing and dancing.  So when she chose to be the Bride of God, it was her friends who were shocked into disbelief.

“God had blessed me with many talents.  What could I give Him in return?  I thought and decided to offer myself to Him,” she says about her choice.

After joining the Catholic Medical Mission Sisters, she wanted to do something different.  Sensing her inclination, the Congregation sent her to Delhi for higher studies and later to Africa for a 3 year service.

At Delhi University she joined M.A course in psychology.  Many of her classmates including her roommate in the hostel were addicts of one or other type.  Sister Joan’s first de-addiction effort was on her roommate.

“Now she is married to a doctor and leads a happy life”, she says about her former roommate.  “It was her recovery that gave me the confidence to work in this field.”

“When I see addicts return to normal life, my heart fills with gratitude to the Lord,” says the sari-clad Sister.

 

Courtesy: Jolly Adimatra (text), C.Sunil Kumar (photo), Vanitha, May 2001

Contributed by: Administrator

 

"The life of the wolf is the death of the lamb."