ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY

Centre for Social Action

VOL. V NO. 3 DECEMBER 2012

ARCHBISHOP'S HOUSE 21, Nathalal Parekh Marg Mumbai - 400 001

Tel. Fax

: 2202 1093/1193/1293 : 91-22-2285 3872

Oswald Cardinal Gracias

OFFICIAL

Advent Campaign Against Hunger And Disease 2012 Caritas India has just celebrated 50 years of untiring service of the nation! Established as the 'social work' arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), it has responded to numerous exigencies, whether manmade or natural. It has stood firm upholding Gospel values of love, service and non-violence, while working unceasingly to restore human dignity of the least and the lost, irrespective of caste or creed. In keeping with the same vision, the Centre for Social Action (earlier known as Caritas Bombay) has effectively taken up a number of projects across the Archdiocese of Bombay (Mumbai-Thane-Dharavi (Island) - Raigad regions), responding to poverty, illiteracy, discrimination, and prejudice. Through our Community Based Organizations, we facilitate children's supplementary classes, women's empowerment & income generation groups, participation in good governance, communal harmony, disaster management and environmental issues. Over the years our annual 'Campaign Against Hunger and Disease' has been evoking a very generous response across the archdiocese, with many sacrificing their hard earned money to create opportunities for those who are struggling to make ends meet. This year's theme – “I deserve better” – is directed towards preventing the evil of Human Trafficking. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation, followed by forced labour (18%). The victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls. Worldwide, almost 20% of all trafficking victims are children. Our Lord Jesus, who rescued a woman from the clutches of those who wanted to stone her to death, will certainly inspire you all to save and rehabilitate many victims of greed and lust. I whole heartedly endorse and bless this campaign, as I encourage the faithful of our archdiocese to continue the tradition of generosity. Kindly send you contributions to 'Centre for Social Action, 3 Eucharistic Congress Building, 5 convent Street, Mumbai 400 001. Cheques / Drafts should be drawn in favor of 'Centre for Social Action'. Those donors contributing Rs. 10,000/- and above are requested to kindly send us your income tax Permanent Account Number (PAN). Donations made to this cause are exempt from income tax under section 80G. I request that the contents of this official be made known to the faithful on the first Sunday of Advent through announcements and by posting this official on your parish / institution's website. Also, kindly ensure distribution of the donation envelopes to the faithful. X Oswald Cardinal Gracias

November 21, 2012

Archbishop of Bombay

AN APPEAL

CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER AND DISEASE 2012 “STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING” The Holy See introduced the Annual Campaign against Hunger and Disease internationally in the 1960’s. In India, Caritas India (the Social Work Organization of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India) in collaboration with each Diocesan Office for Social Work and Development implements the campaign, and each individual’s precious contribution to it is seen as an expression of the Church’s solidarity and support for the poor and the marginalized who are victims of hunger & disease in our country. In India the funds are utilized for developmental works for the poor and marginalized, for emergencies and disasters such as fire, floods, earthquakes etc. At the International level, these funds are utilized for the poor in developing countries. The Centre for Social Action (CSA) is the Office for Social Work and Development of the Archdiocese of Bombay. It works for the empowerment and transformation of the lives of the poor and the marginalized in the city of Mumbai, Raigad District and Dharavi Island (Uttan Bhayandar). As a strategy, Caritas India makes this Campaign an educative and action oriented programme. A specific theme is selected every year and awareness is created about the relevant social problem. This year's theme for our Advent Campaign against Hunger and Disease as: “Stop Human Trafficking”. We urge you to join this campaign by your own initiatives, as well as to contribute to it and we assure you that every valuable contribution will be utilized for the empowerment of the poor. It is my special concern that CSA should promote the understanding and practice of the ‘Social Doctrine of the Church’. Hence I look forward to a closer interaction with parishes, schools, and institutions in the archdiocese to further this cause through faith formation sessions, awareness campaigns and action projects Your Cheques / Demand Drafts should be drawn in the name of “Centre for Social Action” and could be handed over to your Parish Priest or sent directly to 'The Director, Centre for Social Action, Eucharistic Congress Building No.III, 5 Convent Street, Mumbai – 400 001. (Donations made to this cause are exempt from Income Tax under Section 80 G.) Your Co-worker in Christ

Fr. Mario Mendes (Director - CSA) Mobile : 9892355051

Vulnerable Children and Education New initiatives in Mumbai

children were made aware of the gender discrimination in our society and the situation of the Girl child in India. Through a documentary screening, the ground realities of the status of the girl child were shown to the children.

Diwali Holiday Camp

Two new groups were formed at Dev Kripa Mandal, Mahim with each having strength of 30 girls. Also another Bal Sansad was formed at Ashakendra, Bhandup which has the strength of 25 children. Various sessions on personality building with game activities are held at these centres. Also a group of 30 adolescents were formed in Kanjurmarg, who gather together to discuss issues related to their own lives and that of their community.

Bal Sansads Flourishing in Dharavi Island

A three day camp organised for the children in Chowk by CSA staff Mishel from the 8th of November to the 10th of November, in order to use the holiday time more fruitfully for the betterment of the children’s development. On the first Day, CSA staff Clipsy conducted a session on personality building and self identity. On the Second day, a puppet making workshop was conducted by CSA staff Astrid, who also explained the importance of communication through the session. On the third day, CSA staff Mishel conducted an informative and interactive session on child rights, and through a documentary on Human Trafficking, she brought around awareness on the consequences of the use of fire crackers. The camp was highly appreciated by the parish priest, Fr. Joseph Borges who renders constant support to the activities in the Parish by CSA.

Youth Leadership & Management Development Program for Social Action

In Chowk, twelve Bal Sansads are functioning with about 350 children actively participating in them. They recently organised a cleanliness rally in Chowk to create awareness about the importance of a clean and healthy community environment. In Pali, there are 8 groups with 200 children who are in the initial stage of the formation of Bal Sansad. These children come together regularly through the play way method and various activities are conducted with them to motivate leadership and encourage community participation.

Kishori Group (Adolescent’s Group) A group of 25 adolescent girls are part of the Kishori group at Pathan Bandhar. Under the leadership of Mishel, they come together to discuss issues affecting their daily lives, career choices, interpersonal relationships, family life education, challenges faced during adolescence, social issues and teachings of the Catholic Church.

Girl Child Day Celebrations On the 9th of September 2012, the Girl Child day was celebrated in Chowk, wherein 410 children of the 8-14 age group participated with great enthusiasm. The

CSA through its Coordinator for the Dharavi Island – Fr. Barthol Machado and the Resource Team comprising of Fr. Bonaventure Nunes, Fr. Sandeep Borges, Fr. Bonaventure Pereira and Fr. Joseph Borges have planned a yearlong ‘Youth Leadership & Management Development Program for Social Action’ in the Dharavi Island. Fr. Hillary Fernandes, Director of the Muktisagar Prabodhan Kendra at Uttan has also expressed his wholehearted support to such a joint collaboration for the development of the youth.

This program has been planned primarily for the Parish Youth Council (PYC) members from the six parishes as well as for other youth from the parishes who have demonstrated their potential to be effective leaders. The duration of this program is one year. This program was launched on 25th September 2012 in the presence of Emeritus Bishop Bosco Penha. One hundred youth have registered themselves and the first module of the training has been successfully completed; the participants have expressed their satisfaction and appreciation of the entire training module.

Following the rules of democracy, ministers were elected by the children, from amongst the children, for the children and the running of this parliament. Thereafter, an oath was sworn in by the newly elected children ministers. At the end of the meeting, the Vande Mataram was sung with patriotic fervour and children left with a renewed zeal enthusiasm to change not only their own lives but to change the lives of all the other children in the villages as well.

Dental camp for children

Raigad Reports!

Jankalyan Trust, Mahad with its massive village undertakings has yet another goal which the members tirelessly strive towards i.e. to give every child living in the villages under its wings, a whole human formation. With this goal in mind, the Trust along with its social worker and village teachers started the Bal Sansad in two of its tribal villages, Narvan and Khutil, under the guidance of Mr. Deepak Ambrale, Mrs. Pragati Nimbre, Mrs. Suhasane Sutar and the residential teachers from the villages, Mrs. Sushma Jaktap and Ashmita Kalamkar. Mr. Jitindra Jadav, a prominent teacher in the Zilla Parishad also played an active role in the formation of this body. In this first meeting of the Bal Sansad, the goals and objectives were taught and explained to the children.

There was a dental camp for the five South Zone boarding children in Mangaon. Five doctors came from Mumbai Government Dental hospital. All the children had dental check up and treatments like filling, cleaning, etc. In Korlai and in Kolke the school children and the parishioners too benefitted from it. Through networking undertaken by CSA, 390 persons benefitted from the camp. After receiving the services of the Doctors, they received certificates from the Raigad Pragathi Trust. They were happy with the hospitality they got from the team at Mangaon and promised to render their services again.

WALKING WITH OUR YOUTH! The South Zone of Mangaon organized a two day Capacity Building program for the youth. The objective was to build self confidence and to prepare them towards future programs. 65 youth joined the program. Mr. Adrian and Ms. Kinchal were the resource persons from Mumbai. The youth were very content and actively participated in games and other activities.

Women’s Empowerment and their Right to Sustainable Livelihood Networking with the Government of India

A two days’ training program was conducted for 40 Women from each of the Parishes of Uttan, Chowk, Gorai and Pali in collaboration with Shramik Shikshan Sanstha of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The topics covered during the training included health, superstition and income generating activities. Each of the women received a stipend of Rs. 200/-. The women expressed their satisfaction and happiness over the exchange program with the government.

same on the 4th of October she accompanied 40 women to the rationing office to meet the rationing officer Ms. C. C Jadhav and informed her about their situation. Ms. Jadhav patiently listened to the group and assured them of her full support. Thereafter on the 8th of October, Manjula lead the group of women to the ration shop that claimed to never receive the monthly stock of ration. They warned the owner that they needed the ration or else they would take strict action against him. The strength of these women frightened the owner and he asked them to collect their monthly ration the same day. The women never felt more empowered in their lives and thanked Manjula for her support and efforts. Also, in the past two months Manjula has helped 10 residents of Nehru Nagar slum in Ville Parle to obtain their PAN cards and UID cards. Also 10 domestic workers from the same area got their ration cards done.

Fortnightly and Weekly Women’s meetings Regular meetings are conducted with women in the Dharavi Islands. The outcome of these meetings is that so far 250 signatures have been collected and submitted to the MiraBhayandar rationing office to address grievances with regards to the quota and quality of the ration. The women are closely monitoring the follow up procedures. The other issues that women come together are as follows: • • • •

Awareness of their rights To take on civic issues in their vicinity To help them to undertake leadership roles Issues pertaining to ration and enabling them to strike a healthy conversation with the ration officers • Follow up with the officials for compensation for the lean months when there is no fishing activity during the monsoons • Civic issues and follow up with the Sarpanch, Patil and the other local officials • Issues of domestic violence and case referrals

Capacity Building Training

Chimbai Village gets Ration after three years!

CSA staff Manjula, realised that the community in Chimbai village, Bandra West was not getting ration for the past three years although they possessed valid ration cards. For the

50 women from the community attend the capacity building workshop which is a whole day training programme for community animators and trainers from the various CCO’s. The sessions held were awareness on CBO’s, Human trafficking, Domestic violence, Women’s Health and Leadership. The participants enjoy the sessions as they are interactive with games, group presentations and group discussions. The participants appreciated the efforts of CSA and have committed to be the change agents in their communities.

Distribution of the sewing machines After undergoing a two month tailoring training programme, 50 women and youth of Amardeep, Mangaon received sewing machines from the Ekathmik Adivasi Vikas Prakalpa. A youth group of 20 boys from Khardi village also were part of this program. Few of them are already earning an income from their sewing machines.

Health Awareness, Thane CSA Staff Astrid conducted two awareness sessions on Cancer and Diabetes at Seva Sadan, Thane for the women of the Bayer India Community. The session aimed at wiping off myths about the diseases and offered remedies to prevent the diseases. Both the sessions were interactive and well appreciated by the women.

Care for the Environment and Promotion of Good Governance The Core group Meet! The core group of the Programme area met on the 13th of October, 2012 for their quarterly meeting. The objective of the meeting was to chalk out a plan for the next three months. The members also divided themselves into two subgroups so as to be more fruitful in their efforts and give the work better direction.

International Coastal Clean Up Day On the 22nd September 2012 Coastal Clean Up day was organised by CSA in collaboration with St. Joseph’s High School, Junior and Senior College, wherein 2000 students from Std IX to Degree college participated. The inauguration program took place at Navi Khadi in Uttan. The Director of CSA Fr Mario Mendes addressed the students followed by Fr. Michael D’Souza and Fr. John Lopes. Fr Michael D’Souza the parish priest of Our Lady of the Sea Church blessed the event and encouraged the students to undertake the cleaning activity. Students from the St. Joseph’s High School, Junior and Senior college were distributed across the Dharavi Island coasts covering approximately 4 kms namely from Uttan to Chowk. The areas cleaned were Bhate Bunder, Devtalao, Mothagaon, Navi Khadi, Bhotodi Bunder, Patan Bunder, Pali Bunder and Chowk. Local people from the concerning areas too joined in cleaning up these coasts. Approximately 2 tons of garbage was collected by the locals and students. A similar program was held on the 23 September in Gorai in collaboration with the Holy Magi Parish.

True Development

The Episcopal Ordination!

What really is development? It seems easy enough a word, It means advancement and getting better, Yet it is many more things unheard.

Our former director of CSA was consecrated as Bishop of Amravati on the 29th of September 2012. Prior to this grand event, CSA bid their director a farewell through a Thanksgiving and fellowship programme at Sarvodaya on the 21st of September. All the partners were present to commemorate this event.

Does it mean improved technology, Even if it compromises the human connect? Does it mean social networking, That creates more emotional distance and disconnect? Does development mean ‘growing up’ Even if kids do it ‘before their time’? Does it mean lofty thoughts, Even if it breeds some corrupt minds? Does it mean more concrete buildings At the cost of sacrificing mother earth? Does it mean cutting trees and polluting rivers, And destroying the land of our birth? Does development mean trying to reach Higher than the moon and stars? Does it make us forget, Who made us and who we really are? What, then, is development, In its truest and cleanest sense? Development means building bridges To peoples lives and hearts, without pretence. Development is picking up A child fallen along the way Sheltering him, nourishing him, His heart and mind not to go astray. Development is fighting for the truth No matter how long or how hard. It means giving everything your very best shot Even if there is no one to applaud.

Mid Term Evaluation of the Dharavi Island Project We were happy to have in our midst Mr K.O. Mathai (Manager-West Zone) IGSSS deputed by Misereor Germany on 22 – 23 October to conduct a field visit and assess the developmental activities for the Dharavi Island. He witnessed the various activities, the life style and living conditions of the locals and commended the efforts by the CSA team and the local parish priests and other stake holders. Towards the end of two days he gave us some pointers to fine tune various aspects in the project to be more fruitful and effective and to impact the lives of the people.

CSA Advisory Board Meeting This meeting was held on the 6th of September 2012, wherein all the board members were present. Each of the four programme areas updated the Board about their work and their future steps. Also, it was an opportunity for all the members to bid farewell to the then Bishop elect of AmravatiFr. Elias Gonsalves and welcome Fr. Mario Mendes as the new Director of CSA.

The German’s Visit!

Development is doing quietly, With a humble heart and a clean mind, Whatever is good for the earth and our lives, Whatever is good for all mankind. Yes, true development is making sure, That every man has a chance, To reach for the sky, to come up in life To soar, to fly, to get up and dance Let’s work then as one, We, the future citizens of this world, Let’s work to create a history, That in all time is the best story to be told. - Larissa Rodrigues

On the 25th of October, 16 deacons from the diocese of Rotenberg, Germany visited CSA as part of their exposure visit to India. They visited the Raigad, Uttan-Dharavi and Mumbai centres and were thrilled with the work of CSA.

Grown Up Christmas List Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee I wrote to you with childhood fantasies Well, I'm all grown-up now Can you still help somehow? I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream So here's my lifelong wish My grown-up Christmas list Not for myself, but for a world in need What is this illusion called the innocence of youth? Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal our hearts Every man would have a friend That right would always win And love would never end This is my grown-up Christmas list This is my only lifelong wish This is my grown-up Christmas list Linda Thompson-Jenner

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s t o a l l o u r f r i e n d s , p a r t n e r s , w e l l w i s h e r s a n d b e n e f a c t o r s a n d a P r o s p e r o u s N e w Y e a r 2 0 1 3 CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ACTION - 3 Eucharistic Congress Bldg, 5 Convent Street , Mumbai 400 001 Tel : 22021509/2987 Email: [email protected]/ [email protected] Volunteer with us. Send in an email with your details at [email protected] Editorial Team: FR. MARIO MENDES, MS. ASTRID FERNANDES, MS. CLIPSY BANJI

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