My days at Bellefonte Community College

Fatima Mary Rynjah

I am Fatima Mary Rynjah, living in Nongmensong, Umkdait,Shillong. My parents’ names are Mrs. Sabelna Rynjah and Mr. Stiprolan Rympei. I have two brothers and three sisters. I studied in Bellefonte from class V till matriculation. I completed my matriculation from this school in 2018. Currently, I am doing my GNM-II year at Rapsbun School of Nursing, Shillong. Going down to the lane of memories I feel privileged to have had esteemed guides in the person of Sr. Helena Puweiñ, the Principal and Sr. Mildaris Marwein, the Vice Principal. I am also grateful to all the teachers who have left no stone unturned in shaping me into the person I am today. I am proud to be a student at Bellefonte Community College. My school was not that renowned or that big, but the facilities needed by students were provided. The classroom was large and had a large playground. The atmosphere in the school is conducive to holistic growth. Competitions and celebrations conducted at different occasions enabled me to come out of myself and find space to grow and develop. Every year, the school awards "Student of the Year," which challenges students to give the best of their abilities. Our teachers were very down to earth; they seemed to understand every student's need and dealt with it diligently. I love my school and cherish my school life. All my teachers loved and supported me. The different experiences that the school had offered me had built up my confidence and sense of responsibility. I wish my school every success. BCC I salute.

My Journey with Lurshai Morning School, Bellefonte

Balonging S Pde

A turning point in my life, as I usually say, is Lurshai Morning School, Bellefonte, Shillong. It is in my mind, heart and soul, and it will always stay. “Bellefonte” which means "A Beautiful fountain" live up to its name, had shaped, moulded, and groomed my life.

My name is Balonging S. Pde. I was a student of NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) one of the beneficiaries of the coaching center run by the Salesian Sisters (FMA) of Northern India and headed by Sister Helena Puweiñ as the Principal. I was one of many students who have been enriched, educated, and given hope and opportunities to rebuild my career and future. I was a girl with many dreams and aspirations, but I had to put my education on hold due to financial restrictions and drop out halfway through.

As the verse from the Bible says, "If God is all you have, you have all you need" (John 14:8). I still remember the day we came to Bellefonte, knowing about it from one of my friends as an institution that takes in dropout students who could not continue their studies for any reason and allows them to continue with the fees being comparatively less. Therefore, we decided to enroll ourselves, but little did I know that we were in the midst of a crisis at home and Mummy did not have enough money to pay my fees. However, upon hearing this, Sister Helena immediately allowed me to join the classes and pay my fees at a later date. This gesture of hers has always held a special place in my heart, and I will be forever grateful. For that reason, I can say that my journey and connection with this institution are beyond measure, and ever since I first enrolled, I have always remained faithful to the trust and hope that the institution had on me. As I have pointed out, "It was my turning point."

Following the Secondary Course, I enrolled in Lurshai FMA Outreach Higher Secondary Programme under the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE). I’ve had numerous experiences and memories here as well, which I will treasure for the rest of my life. I attended morning school and had the opportunity to attend the fabric flower craft classes the rest of the day. The institution has not only given me knowledge and wisdom but has also taught me values and discipline in life. All I have learned from this institution has been an enormous blessing for me. Despite all the odds and obstacles, Bellefonte has always pushed me to do better and has assisted me in furthering my education, setting a precedent for me to achieve my goals and aspirations.

I am now an Assistant Professor in Union Christian College's Department of Economics. While in Bellefonte, I had fallen in love with the subject. According to Anthon St. Maarten, “In order to successfully complete our amazing life journey, we must turn every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom and locate the blessing in every curse.” I agree that the trip was not easy, but tenacity and the fine people I have met along the way have enabled me to achieve my goals.

Yes, words fail me, but they reflect my thanks in the most basic of ways for how sisters of Bellefonte have always served as my guardian angels, my blessings in disguise. Their enthusiasm, encouragement, and support have always fueled and driven me towards my goals.

Ever grateful to Bellefonte Community College!!!

Azera Lyngdoh

I am Azera Lyngdoh, I'm one of the past pupils of BCC's batch 2020. I would like to share a little about my experiences at Bellefonte Community College and how it had shaped me into the person I am today. 

In the year 2018, when I first joined BCC for the 10th grade, I did not want to go to school anymore or continue my studies at all, but I was forced to complete my matriculation, so I joined NIOS through Bellefonte Community College. Scarcely did I expect BCC would be a doorway to the unfolded blessings I now enjoy. 

Back then, I was timid, very shy, and soft spoken. During my reading sessions in English class with Miss Annastacia Sariang, I used to be nervous about how I sounded, how I pronounced words, and how I would take pauses at every punctuation, but she taught me that it was not hard and that I only had to pay attention to what I was reading and understand what the words meant. I then practiced what I was taught and eventually got better. Being at ease in situations or with things that are not in my space, I reasoned, was a first step towards confidence.

Bellefonte Community College is a good institution for every teen of this generation, specifically because BCC still motivates its students to prepare for anything they would encounter in their daily lives through the morning assembly, the reading of the word of God, value education through moral science, which most schools have omitted, and assigning cleaning duty to every student after school. Cleaning is very important because it taught us responsibility and instilled in us a sense of cleanliness. BCC taught us that God is always first and to honour him through every little activity, which I realized, is extremely important in my everyday life. I'm very proud of how and what the school taught us, and I hope that it continues to do the same.

I am now working in Deltin Corp Ltd. Panjim Goa-Cruise. I would like to thank BCC for brushing and polishing me into becoming the person I am today - a person who is independent, self reliant and humble and most of all, who puts God first.

 In conclusion, I would like to add a special thanks to my class teachers, who were wonderfully caring and encouraging. I hope the school is at its best and continues to grow. 

Memories of Bellefonte Community College will linger on…

 Icilis Mary Shabong

I, Icilis Mary Shabong leapt with joy as I recalled my four precious years at Bellefonte Community College. I joined BCC in 2017, and the years since have been filled with rich experiences. On the very first day itself, I was captivated by the cleanliness and the beauty of the surroundings, and in no time I could spontaneously related with the sisters, teachers, and friends. Sr. Helena Puweiñ, our Principal, was my mentor. She was hardworking, determined, dedicated, firm, yet kind-hearted. She worked so hard to bring the college up to the standard it is now. To me, she is the epitome of hard work. I am glad to have met her. The friendly ambient made learning easy for me. Without fear, I could approach my teachers to clarify my doubts, no matter the number of times I did it for the same lesson. My friends were also my joy and strength. We hold on to each other in every circumstance. I will never forget them in my life time.  BCC has taught me to be honest with oneself and others. I love my school, and I would have loved to cling on to it, but life must go on, so I also have to move on. Currently, I am pursuing my Class XII at Shillong College. I don’t have enough words to express my feelings, but if, in the future, I am in a position to contribute to the college, I will always come forward.

Story of Larisha K. Mawlong

I am Larisha K. Mawlong, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to study at Lurshai Morning School (Bellefonte Community College) for two years (2021- 2023). While pursuing my XI and XII in Humanity, I was also working as a domestic worker in a family. I attribute my success to the school. I am grateful to the teachers and especially to Sr. Olda Mary Shangpliang, the Headmistress, who sees my potential and continuously encourages me to give my best. Passing my class XII with 1^st division and distinction in Sociology was a dream I could never have imagined had it not been for the motivation I received from the school through morning thoughts, personal meetings, and guidance. Moreover, the four-years break that I have taken from studying has dimmed my confidence in my capabilities. I shall be ever thankful to the school for rekindling the flame of hope to head for a bright future. 

Gesture of appreciation for my mother's love

I am Bantei Lyngdoh Lyngkhoi, hailing from Langkyrding, Shillong. I study in Std VI. I have witnessed poverty since my very early childhood. Coming from a poor family, it is not easy to take out money for whatever the needs are. I have the usual habit, taught by my mother, of collecting every coin I receive. Every year I buy my own dress for the Christmas festival. One day, when I told my mother to pay the school fee, my mother casually expressed her difficulties at the moment. Hearing my mother grieve made me choose to contribute my precious coins to help with some amount because I feel this could be my best way of shouldering my mother’s struggle. I never thought this small act of mine could make my mother, family and school proud of me. I am grateful to God and to all those who have helped me understand and value my mother’s struggle.