St. Joseph’s Convent

- Mandigeri - Adoni - Andhra Pradesh

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Brief History of Our Mission

St. Joseph’s Convent English Medium School was founded in 1995. Initially, the teaching sisters commuted from Shukravarpet, which was the existing community at the time. However, recognizing the need to be present even after school hours, the sisters decided to live on campus.

On June 10th, 2001, they bid farewell to the Shukravarpet community with heavy hearts and moved to the school premises. They were accompanied by the sisters, blessed by the parish priest, and encouraged by a few parishioners. Sr. Alphonse, Sr. Leema, Sr. Jakin, and Sr. Sujanamma spent their first night in a temporary setup, turning the staff room into a shared dormitory and dining space. Despite anxiety and uncertainty, they supported one another with encouraging words.

The school reopened on June 12th, 2001. Along with teaching, the sisters managed their own meals and chores, often preparing food together. Realizing the difficulty of managing both duties, the sisters at Shukravarpet generously provided meals for them for nearly two years.

Living conditions were extremely modest—just one room with four beds, a table, two stools, two attached toilets, and a tiny kitchen. Despite challenges, they prayed, ate, worked, and rested in that small space, sometimes enduring unpleasant smells from the nearby burial ground. Yet, they cared for each other with sisterly love.

Apostolic and Pastoral Work

In addition to teaching, the sisters actively participated in church activities. Every two days, they visited 14 villages with the parish priest and parishioners to teach catechism and prepare people for Confession and the Eucharist. They contributed to church cleaning, decorating, Sunday collections, prayer meetings, and pastoral visits. Their dedication extended late into the night, often working from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and still preparing for the next school day. Initially struggling with the local language, they gradually learned Telugu and were welcomed warmly by the local people.

The Grihini Centre and the New Community Home

To serve underprivileged girls, the sisters started the Grihini Centre on September 8th, 2002. It focused on young school dropouts and uneducated girls from surrounding villages. Their efforts and sacrifices were noticed by visitors, including the Bishop and Provincial Sr. Mercy Jacob, who decided to build a proper community house. Once the Grihini Centre was completed, a new residence was constructed and inaugurated on March 8th, 2003, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Gorantla Johannes, Bishop of Kurnool, in the presence of Sr. Mercy Jacob.

This day marked a turning point for the sisters in Mandigeri. They could now pray in peace and share the love of Christ more deeply with all who visited.

On October 14th, 2002, Sr. Leema was appointed Superior of the independent Mandigeri community. With the love and cooperation of Sr. Rosa, Sr. Jakin, Sr. Philomena, and Sr. Sujanamma, they carried out their mission in education and social service.

Located in Mandigeri, the Grihini Centre empowers young school dropout girls and SSLC-failed students from surrounding villages. It offers training in tailoring, cooking, gardening, craft-making, and household management. Girls also engage in local shopping to learn basic trade skills.

Awareness sessions on health, hygiene, and social issues help build self-confidence and independence. SSLC-failed girls receive academic support to retake and pass their exams while learning vocational skills.

The Grihini Centre plays a vital role in helping these girls achieve self-reliance and become contributing members of their families and communities.

About St. Joseph’s English Medium School, Mandigeri, Adoni

St. Joseph’s EM School is a co-educational institution that has completed 27 years of service in the field of education. It welcomes students from all backgrounds—rich and poor, rural and urban, of all religions—from Adoni and nearby villages.

The school aims to develop students’ personalities and skills through a variety of activities, preparing them to become responsible citizens and competent professionals.

Celebrations and Achievements

Children’s Day: Celebrated with joy and grandeur, focusing on the importance of children’s rights. Competitions were held, and winners received exciting prizes.
National and Cultural Festivals: Events like Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanthi instill patriotism and emphasize non-violence, truth, and unity. Festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Sankranti are celebrated to educate students on their cultural significance.
National Science Day: Honoring the contributions of Indian physicist C.V. Raman, students deliver speeches, showcase projects, and dress as renowned scientists.
Sports Achievements: Students have excelled in inter-school competitions, with some even reaching national-level events.

Support for the Underprivileged

The school offers fee concessions for poor students and half-fee for Catholic children.
Under the Right to Education Act, 48 children have been enrolled in recent years, with the government paying ₹8,000 per child annually.
So far, total concessions amount to ₹10,62,500.

Community Involvement

The school campus is used for elections and various government examinations.
It maintains positive relationships with neighboring schools and government departments.