SANGUEM: For nearly seven decades, Theodolina Fernandes’ life has been all about service and empathy.
At 78 years old, nothing deters Theodolina, called fondly by her nickname Leena, from putting in all her best efforts to look after elderly people, some of whom are as old as her.
An inspiration to senior citizens everywhere, Theodolina is presently in charge of ‘Arc of Hope’, an old age home for elderly women run by NGO St Vincent De Paul at Candolim.
Incidentally, this isn’t the first time that she has opted to work at a home for the elderly, taking care of destitute people who are neglected by their own kith and kin, and society at large.
Her first stint in service for the needy began at Mother Theresa Home for the Lepers in Ahmedabad, when she was barely 15 years old.
After working for a few years at the facility in Ahmedabad, she shifted to Pune where she joined hands with Mathaji Nirmala’s ‘Esha Prema Niketan’, an institute for abandoned infants born to unwed mothers. Impressed by her love and care for the needy, Mathaji Nirmala posted Theodolina at their Assagao home for elderly men.
By then, she was of marriageable age, and after great contemplation, Theodolina got married to a boy from Candolim.
However, her family life was fraught with hardships due to the severe financial crunch at home, and it was becoming difficult to care for her two daughters. To earn a better living for them, she took the flight to Abhu Dhabi, where owing to her selfless service to humanity, she was employed at the
Hilton Sheraton before moving to a Sheikh’s house, on special requisition. During her stint at Abu Dhabi, she managed to get both her daughters married to the men of their choice – one lives in Sri Lanka and the other, in Candolim.
In 2012,Theodolina returned to Goa and this time, directly boarded at Arc of Hope, which presently houses 15 residents.
There has since been no looking back for this septuagenarian. With assistance from her colleague Lalita, Theodolina has been able to lovingly care for the elderly residents for the past 11 years, with no break whatsoever except for a few days last year when she went to visit her former employer at Abu Dhabi. “Working with elderly people gives me unexplained satisfaction and contentment in life,” she says.
Those who know Leena call her good-hearted for her unconditional service but she alone knows the trials
and tribulations she endured in this lifestyle of her choosing.
She claims that life at the home for the elderly has opened her eyes towards wider horizons. A large part of selfless service also requires a great understanding and forgiveness, she realised on occasions when has been at the receiving end from the inmates, who sometimes behaved aggressively. She was pushed and thrown down, and while these instances have affected her health, she has never complained.
A couple of hours spent with Theodolina to learn her story revealed instances when she experienced intense trauma and stress. Even a full night’s sleep is a distant dream as nights are often interrupted by calls from the tresidents, who are working through their own issues and anxieties. Sometimes, the elderly residents also try to break down their doors or damage furniture and other property, and require immediate intervention, irrespective of the time of day.
She admits there are also instances when she feels herself losing her cool when the inmates unintentionally annoy her by ignoring her instructions or unknowingly do things to harm themselves.
However, she pushes herself to handle such situations with patience and grace, which truly sets her apart.
Having lived a life of many ups and downs, often absorbing the pain and suffering of those she cares for, Theodolina says her real joy is being with people who need her. For her, life is all about living in the moment, nurturing and caring fellow beings, without expecting anything in return.
