When the Little Flower Lower Primary School in Vayalar, Alappuzha, finally received a van two years ago, it was a welcome relief for parents burdened by high autorickshaw and taxi fares. But what truly moved them was discovering who was driving it—their beloved teacher, Sister Mary Bona Lawrence.
Since that day, Sr Mary Bona, now 51 years old, has been behind the wheel, making three trips each morning and evening to pick up and drop off students. Even after being promoted to Headmistress, she continued driving, balancing her administrative duties with unwavering commitment. “When the Cochin Diocese gave us the van, we couldn’t afford a driver,” she explains. “So I decided to do it myself.”
Parents were surprised at first, but soon their trust deepened. “She’s deeply involved in everything,” says PTA member Tincy Shaiju. “She treats every child as her own. We feel completely at ease.”
Sr Mary Bona also uses the van to run errands, shop for supplies, and support school activities. Her work resonates across the rural village, where many families struggle financially. “We charge ₹600 for van service, but even that’s not mandatory,” she says. “No child is left out due to money.”
The van serves 45 students daily, and when Sr Mary is unavailable, a local autorickshaw driver and his wife step in, along with a teacher as a helper.
Trained in Italy, Sr Mary Bona got her Kerala driving licence in 2012 and now plans to continue driving until retirement in 2030.
“She’s not just a Headmistress—she’s a friend, a guide, and a guardian,” says parent Jincy, echoing the love of an entire community.