Dnyan Jyoti Kanya Ashram School, Tilloli (1996- )

The emancipation of the tribal girls through formal education was one of Assumption’s cherished dreams. In the year 1995-96, while the sisters were working in the villages around Mahaje in Dindori Taluka, they began their search for a precise place for this mission. The Province envisaged a link between social commitment and formal education based on the pedagogy of Assumption giving emphasis on academic excellence, character formation and social responsibility. On 31^st January 1996, the community of Mahaje was shifted to Tilloli village. They stayed in the village temple for five months and then shifted to a repaired cowshed. ‘Dnyan Jyoti Kanya Ashram School’ Tilloli was the first boarding school in India. Initially classes were conducted in Tilloli village with seventeen girls in the school and twelve boarders. It was inaugurated on 3^rd July 1996.

The aim of the school was education of tribal girls. By the end of the year, the strength of the school reached forty. Every year, the number of students increased and the sisters were struggling to manage the school in the village itself. Simultaneously they went to Mantralaya to get permission for the school. Every year the exams were conducted in the Zilla Parishad School and promoted the children to the next class. Each year they hired some part of the village house and renovated it for the use of the school. Overwhelmed by the support of the villagers they could very well manage the school and boarding. By 1999, the strength of the school reached to hundred and twenty and the sisters faced difficulty to accommodate them in the village. The classes were held in the boarding where the girls resided.  Subsequently, they purchased land from Barsat family for the school and boarding. Hence, in the year 2002, after waiting for several years they built a residence for the sisters and a boarding for the students in the beautiful landscape of Tilloli village which is twenty five kilometers away from Nashik. His Lordship Thomas Bhalerao, the then Bishop of Nashik Diocese celebrated Holy Eucharist in the chapel and blessed the residence of the sisters.

As the number of students increased they were in need of more space for the pupils. Therefore, the sisters bought land from the people of Kochergoan which was adjacent to the existing land. The School building project was financed by Miss Maria Morell and team from Spain. The foundation stone for the school in Tilloli was laid on 3^rd June 2007 by Fr. Peter Massenet S.J., the director of Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal. The sisters paid special attention to keep up the beauty of the landscape. By this time the school was recognized by the government, the grant was sanctioned for the boarding and the salaries of the staffs were also paid by the government. The inauguration of the new school building took place in the year 2008.

The blessing and inauguration of the new boarding in Tilloli was on 5^th July 2014. It was an overwhelming experience for all sisters, staff and students. The building is simple but spacious and well built. The sisters realized more than ever,  that it is their duty to make this boarding a home of love, a home of learning and a home of service so that the dream of St. Marie Eugenie is realized in this school campus. The priority for the sisters in Tilloli is to provide quality education for the tribal girls so that they can secure a better future. It is God’s mission and God will protect them and take them forward according to this plan. The sisters could experience God’s presence and guidance every day and every minute. Several concerns were falling in place as though God was planning everything on our behalf.

The dedicated and self-sacrificing love on the part of the sisters who served and are serving in Tilloli mission with courage, selfless commitment in carrying forward the solid education coupled with character formation which was lit by the pioneers is very encouraging for the Province.