In this Jubilee Year, our school community at Dornakal felt a deep desire to nurture hope in the hearts of our students, especially in the face of growing economic and social challenges. Dornakal holds a special place in our Hyderabad province’s mission story, it was the first community opened on 31 May 1966 in the Diocese of Warangal, responding to the invitation of the then Bishop Alfonso Beretta, PIME, to run a school for the poor children of the locality.
As I took up the responsibility of guiding this school community, I felt both humbled and inspired. I realized that hope is not merely an emotion we feel in good times; it is a strength, a gift from God, and the power to rise again when life feels heavy and uncertain. With this conviction, I had the joy of conducting a seminar for our 9th and 10th class students on this very theme: “The Power to Rise Again”. Standing before them and seeing their curious eyes and eager hearts reminded me that every young mind carries within it the potential to dream, to persevere, and to shine. During our session, we explored how hope enables us to face failures without giving up, remain emotionally balanced, build meaningful relationships, and grow into stronger and better individuals. Together, we reflected on practical ways to cultivate hope in daily life such as maintaining a positive attitude, setting realistic goals, seeking guidance from elders and teachers, and caring for our mind, body, and spirit.
Through audio-visual presentations, group discussions, and personal reflection activities, the students were encouraged to write their own “Statements of Hope” and share them with their peers. It was deeply moving to hear their heartfelt dreams, struggles, and promises to rise again. In their words, I could sense the gentle spark of hope awakening in their hearts, reminding us that no obstacle is too great when we believe in the possibility of a new beginning.
I reminded them that hope is not just a fleeting feeling, it is a way of living. It is the quiet courage that helps us rise after every fall, the inner strength that enables us to believe in our dreams, and the steady light that guides us to face life with resilience and optimism.
In today’s world, where many young people carry heavy burdens, worries, and uncertainties about their future, nurturing hope is one of the greatest acts of love and empowerment we can offer them. As their teacher and sister, I felt deeply moved to accompany them on this journey. I believe wholeheartedly that with faith, discipline, and courage, each of our students carries within them the God-given power to rise again, no matter what challenges life may bring.
Sr. Pushpalatha Kamalapuram, Hyderabad Province
