Taking inspiration from their founder Father John Peter Medaille founded in 15 October 1650 in 17th Century Le Puy, France, during a time of great poverty, disease and political unrest. It was a response to the many human needs of a struggling world. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery are part of an international congregation and are active in 50 countries.
Sr. Clara Animottil CSJ
Sr. Clara Animottil is form Kannur a district of Kerala, India born on 20th July 1964. Sr. Clara is a member of Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, Pachmarhi Province. In the year 1984 she came to North India, Madhya Pradesh as a missionary to serve the people, took the first profession in 1989. Before taking the final Profession, she was sent to Itarsi in the year 1991 to teach in the St. Joseph Convent School.
In the wake of the Itarsi railway station, a big junction with more than 158 trains passes by daily to the north, east, west and south of the country where every train we found children begging, sweeping, cleaning, selling necessary items in the running train is a common phenomenon. Itarsi being a small town a large number of children found railway platform as another home where they could live unnoticed, but being a victim for trafficking, Child labour, drugs, victims for sexual abuse, used for antisocial work. She saw them in the prisons and was subjected to corporal punishment; police often took them to work in their family quarters. She is being called by these children as friend, saviour, protector and guide.
Sr. Clara realized that there are hundreds of children who leave their homes due to poverty, broken families, orphan and who are lack of needed education, care and guidance. She started creating awareness to the Railways and Government departments. Opened children home, escorting them to families, reunification. She pioneered an early intervention system founded on the principles of justice, compassion, inclusiveness and loving kindness. Besides devoting her energies to education, care, protection founded the Jeevodaya Society meaning ‘’Risen Life ‘’ Jeevodaya inspired Railway authorities, religious congregations and civil society to adopt this preventive system at the source level. Today the Government has a system for children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act which is being followed and run by Government, civil society, priests, and religious congregations. Today the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery charism is perpetuated for the children.