Karkala: Sr Donalda Pais, headmistress of Arunodaya Special School, passes away

Team Udayavani, Nov 8, 2024, 9:11 AM IST

Karkala: Sister Donalda Pais, the founder of Jeevan Welfare Trust and headmistress of Arunodaya Special School in Karkala, passed away on November 7 at the age of 81.

Known affectionately as “Sister Arunodaya,” she dedicated over three decades to serving children with special needs, earning numerous awards, including the District Rajyotsava Award, for her selfless work.

Originally from Karingana in Bantwal taluk, Sister Donalda received her novice training at the Bethany Convent and embraced sisterhood in 1971. Her career as a government school teacher began in 1968, during which she served at various institutions, including Rosa Mystica High School, Loyola High School, and K.R. Nagar High School in Mysuru. She later served as the headmistress at Jyothi High School in Ajekar.

While serving as the headmistress at Jyothi High School, Sister Donalda recognized the need to support differently-abled children and took the initiative to establish Arunodaya Special School, dedicated to their education and development. Her commitment to social work and education earned her the Rajyotsava Award and numerous other accolades.

In response to her passing, several prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, MLA V. Sunil Kumar, and Congress leader Uday Kumar Shetty, expressed their condolences, acknowledging her invaluable contributions to society and the field of education.