The Nun Who Wears Many Hats: Headmistress, Teacher and Driver in Rural Kerala

Kochi, July 5, 2025: At Little Flower LP School in Vayalar, a small village in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, Sister Marybon Lawrence fulfils multiple roles with remarkable dedication—as Headmistress, teacher, and even school bus driver. “We are called by God to be of service—so it becomes our duty,” she said in an interview with Catholic Connect, expressing the deep sense of purpose that guides her daily mission to educate and uplift children from nearby rural areas.

The school, which comes under the Archdiocese of Verapoly (Kochi), caters to children from LKG to Class 4 and currently has 101 students enrolled. Most of them come from ordinary, economically struggling families in surrounding villages, making transportation a major barrier. “Many parents can’t afford private transport or even the school fees,” she said. “That’s why the school provides a van, and most of the students and even staff depend on it every day.”

Though the school has another driver, Sister Marybon often takes turns behind the wheel. “Whenever I’m free from class or office duties, I help with the driving—it's part of our calling to serve in whatever way we can,” she added.

“Wherever we are sent, our mission remains the same: to educate, uplift, and serve in love,” Sister Marybon said. And in the quiet lanes of Vayalar, she continues to live that mission—one child, one ride, and one lesson at a time.

Sister Marybon belongs to the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, a congregation founded in Spain in 1876 and officially recognised by the Vatican in 1991. The sisters follow the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and live a charism marked by fraternity, simplicity, and Marian devotion. Since their arrival in India in 1991, they have been engaged in missionary education, especially for the upliftment of girls, across both South and North India.

The school serves as more than just a place of education—it is a lifeline for these children. By removing obstacles like distance and affordability, the institution ensures inclusivity and dignity in learning.

By Catholic Connect Reporter