Catholics in India preach to tribal villages about Covid-19

Catholic missionaries in India are trekking long distances to create awareness about the Covid-19 pandemic among tribal people in inaccessible villages of Madhya Pradesh.

Some 150 volunteers, including 45 priests, in Jabalpur Diocese are on this particular mission visiting Gond and Baiga tribal communities, who have not even heard of the disease, to teach them ways to prevent infection.

Most tribal people lack basic facilities such as proper food, shelter or water and, with the start of the summer season in April, the situation has worsened.

“Water shortage is a big problem for many,” said Fr Thankachan Jose. “They depend on the forest for food, and the summer also creates a food shortage, making their life miserable.”

Fr Jose said he had visited some 100 families of Baiga and Gond tribal people, saying they knew nothing about Covid-19 as they do not have radio, television, newspapers or other mass communication means. Most are also illiterate.

“I have advised them not to follow this custom until the threat of Covid-19 infections is completely over. They have agreed,” he said.

No 
masks

Since they have no masks, the villagers cover their faces with towels, which they commonly use in summer to protect their faces and heads from the heat.

Other priests in Jabalpur also visit villages to create awareness among tribal people about the global pandemic.

“Our priests are running awareness campaigns in more than 50 mission stations. Each station covers some 20 villages,” said Fr George Thomas, who directs the Jabalpur diocesan social work society.

“Some priests allow one or two volunteers to accompany them, but they too follow social distancing norms.”

Gulzar Singh Markam, a prominent Gond trial leader, agreed that villagers had been unaware of Covid-19 and its ill-effects prior to the priests’ campaign.

“It [priests’ campaign] has given us a proper idea about the infection and the protection we need to take,” he said.