Food Security Training for Dongri CCO Women on 31st Oct, 2015

Addressing on Food Security & Rationing Issue

Prerna Samaj Kendra, Dongri 31^st October 2015

On 31^st October 2015 Prerna Samaj Kendra, Dongri organized program for women. Total 88 were present. Ms Taruna Kumbhar was resource person for the program. She spoke about the addressing the issues of rationing. She also provided information on the availability of the complaint book at the Ration Shop and gave contact details of toll free number 1800224950 of Mantralaya where people can call Monday to Friday betwen11.00 am- 5.00 pm to address their queries, complaints. 

She also added that if more than five women write complaints in the complaint book the shop owner would have to pay Rs. 20,000 to the government as a fine. Women opened up asking him questions on the practical aspects of various problems they faced concerning at the Ration shops.  she also talked about the  every ration card holder  have a right to get good quality of food grains on ratio of 3kg wheat and 2 kg rice per family member.

Report by - Prerna Seva Kendra CCO Team.

Collaboration of Fisherffolk Society with ICAR - Government Scientists

Collaboration with Government - ICAR

Five Research Scholars from ICAR, Government of India and Fishermen - Mr. Neville from Gorai Machimar (Fisherfolk) Society along with CCO Staff - Sr. Christle, Ms. Nasim and Ms. Natal met together for a meeting on the 30th October, 2015 from 12 noon to 1.00pm at Suroyoday Samaj Kendra, Gorai. 


Dr. Ram Kumar, Dr. Narkhwa and Dr. Ajay and Team discussed on the Research Survey on Fisheries and they expressed their desire to conduct various training programs based on the Fish Products that could be undertaken by the women SHGs. The fish products could become a good way to start livelihoods and could become a good source of income for the women. 

Sr. Christle and the CCO staff shared about their activities and and they together explored possible areas of collaboration with ICAR in the future. 

Financial Literacy Trainings for SHGs at Chowk, October 2015

During the month of October, the staff of Sahyog Samaj Kendra, Chowk - Sr. Shweta Dabre and Ms. Suvidha Patil worked along with six SHGs and completed the first module on Financial Literacy Training with each of the SHGs during their monthly meetings. 

Those who received inputs on the importance of Savings were were:
10 women from St. Anthony's SHG on 1st Oct, 
15 women from Ramedi Mata SHG on 2nd Oct, 
15 women from Sukharmauli SHG on 3rd Oct, 
12 women from Mikhale SHG on 6th Oct and 
9 women from St. Peter SHG on 7th Oct, 
10 women from Aradhana SHG on 11th Oct. 

They actively participated discussing on their current savings and how Savings was an essential and important component of their daily lives. 

Financial Literacy Training for Women - Uttan CCO - 30th October, 2015

A Financial Literacy Training for 7 women De Dhaan SHG , Uttan was held on the 30th October, 2015 at home of one of the women

Advanced Capacity Building on Property Rights - Sahyog CCO, Chowk

As part of the Advanced Capacity Building of Women Leaders the Sahyog Samaj Kendra, Chowk CCO organized a training program for 30 women leaders on the 27th October, 2015. 

The women were given insights into Women's Property Rights and Disputes. The resource person Advocate Sandeep Dhoble spoke on how the women could obtain land documents like the 7/12 extract (utara) and all the rules and regulations concerning it. 

He also shared on the importance of writing a 'Living Will'. (Mrutyapatra) in order to reduce family tensions related to property. He explained to the women about their rights to property from her husband and also from her own maternal family. He cited various examples how this could be worked out legally without difficulties to the families involved. 


The women felt enlightened and empowered on understanding the implications of these legal provisions and of course property gives them a sense of ownership and being part of the family. 

Young Kishoris from Chowk get insights into Family Life 26th Oct, 2015

Family Life Education Training for Kishoris - Chowk

Young Kishoris are the most vulnerable when it comes to relationships, keeping this in mind the Chowk team decided to explore this very sensitive topic with 32 Kishoris who attended a Family Life Education Training on the 26th October, 2015 at the Church Hall in Chowk. 

The session was led by Ms. Simon Xavier a professor from Hinduja Hospital Nursing College. She came along with her team of students who also assisted and performed a street play to drive home specific points. 

She covered topics on Adolescence, Relationships and led the team to reflect on some sensitive taboo topics. 

She began by leading the young girls to understand the stage of adolescence and the various signs of physical changes. She focused on the menstrual cycle and the need to maintain personal hygiene during this period. 

She started off with good touch and bad touch and led the girls to reflect on understanding the pros and cons of relationships especially with the male partner. She gradually led them to reflect on choices made in actions relating directly with sex and how to make informed choices. 

The girls slowly opened up and asked various questions and clarified a lot of their doubts. 


The 30 Kishoris were further trained on the topic of "Relationships within the family". Ms. Trupti Jadhav was the resource person from JJ Dharmashala. She covered aspects of relationships before and after marriage with family members and their need, especially how to save married life from extra marital affairs, fights, arguments, eating habits etc. 


She gave the young girls tips on how to save their family life and enjoy their married life. She elaborated on the importance of communication in order to maintain good relationships. She also spoke on the importance of ethics and values in family relationships and the important topic of how to choose your life partner. 

Financial Literacy Training at Savdhan Samaj Kendra, Manori

Topics: Third training on Financial Planning - Making the participants understand that they should not spend more than their income and also understand their expenses

Resource Person: Ms Snehal Patil & Ms Suvarna Bandya

Date	Venue	Target Group	Participants
23/10/2015	St James Zone	Bible Mahila Bachat Gat	10
24/10/2015	St John	Fatima Mahila Bachat Gat	8
24/10/2015	St James Zone	St Anthony Mahila Bachat Gat	11

  Objective of session was making the participants understand and  identify essential and non essential expenses.

The expenses are divided in three main categories. 

Needs – are limited to essentials like food, clothing, shelter, education

Wants- are unlimited and reduced e.g.  festival, pilgrimages, spending on luxuries goods

Vices- are risky and we need to avoid it. Eg. Alcohol, gambling, tobacco  Think twice before spending.

   Achieve goals through financial planning & set goal and make them understand how to make a financial plan for future need. 

This was explained through activities with the participants.

Example: Set one goal after 5 years required Rs 50000/-for HSC admission of a child. And made calculations for daily saving

Estimates cost – Rs  50000

When we need (how many days) - after 5 years

How many days- 5 years*365 days in per year =1825 days

Saving required- Rs 50000/1825 days = Rs 27

Daily Save in banks-Rs 27

Save money for life cycle needs and always save in banks is the learning for the participants.

Report noted by- Ms Snehal Patil, Ms Suvarna Bandya & Ms Rasika Bhandari

Financial Literacy for Women SHGs, Pali

On 23rd October, 2015 Sahjeevan Social Centre, Pali organized  a Financial literacy program for 2 SHGs.

From Bal Yeshu Bhachat Gat and Nazarath Bachat Gat a total of 21 women were present for the program. CSA staff Ms. Sheetal Palande has led the group into reflection on the 3 modules of Financial literacy program. 

After the session women expressed that they liked this kind of training and they will like to attend such kind of programs in future too. 

Advanced Capacity Building for Women Leaders, Snehajyot Samaj Kendra, Uttan 21-10-15

Topic: Property Dispute and Family issues

Day/ Date:  21^st Oct.15 (Wednesday)

Target Group: Women

Total participants: 37

Venue: Uttan (Church Hall)

Time: 2 – 5 pm

Name of the Resource Person: Adv. Sandeep Dhoble

We had the session for women on Property disputes and family issues. The resource person Mr. Sandeep Dhobale began by explaining to the target group why family issues are increasing? The main causes for increasing the family issues are selfishness, disloyalty, and busy with technology. In order to have a happy family we need be give time for each other, care, love, and concern through these we can build the family bond.

Most of the family issues are related with women. Woman does not understand the other woman. The resource person gave some the examples of his cases which he has handled or handling. Each girl has the right which boys have there is no different rights for boys and girls.

What we can do to avoid the family issues?

• Becoming good with each other

• Having formative dialogue

• Being understanding and caring

Related to property disputes the resource person said that its better we decide that we won’t step the court, cause it make the problems more complicated and he gave some of the examples that how advocates make the issues worse. We have to take away the dirty system of the court which instead of building the families they destroy.

Many questions were asked by the women related with their property issues and were answered by the resource person.

by Sr. Martha (CSA), Ms Velencia and Ms. Sanjina (Uttan CCO)

Family Life Education for Kishoris, Uttan CCO - 20th Oct, 2015

Session for Kishoris on Family Life Education in Uttan

On 20^th Oct. 15 we had session for kishorie on Family life Education in Mukti Sagar open school hall in Uttan. There were total 77 girls who attended the session. Ms. Seema Samundre and Ms. Siman Xavier the professors from PD Hinduja college of Nursing were the resource person for the session.

This session was quite different from the other sessions. We had the theme that is: “Kishoryana Jaagava , Tyanche Bhavishya Ujaval kara”( Awake the girls and brighten their future).

Ms. Seema Samundre spoke on Teenage Pregnancy and its ill effects:

She began with asking the questions that is, What is pregnancy and what are the reasons of teenage pregnancy?

Girls could answer to some extent. Then she explained to them in detail by giving them the reasons of teenage pregnancy that is:

• Rape
• Peer / Friends Pressure
• Lack of knowledge (education and information)

Due to these situations the girl undergoes depression, gets scared with pregnancy complications. She then went on to speak about sexual health and menstrual hygiene. 

Sexual health: The resource person spoke on Physical and mental changes, when and how it occurs, different moods like being happy, sad, irritating, angry etc.

Menstrual Hygiene: The resource person mainly spoke on how we get the periods at what age and what it the period of it. She also explained on how to maintain hygiene and keep oneself clean.

Ms. Siman Xavier spoke on Good touch, bad touch and safety measures:

She explained to the girls that how we will know the bad touch and good touch through different pictures on the projector. Then she dealt with some of the feelings like sad, happy, angry, embarrassed etc. In self defence she said how you can save yourself by keeping with you some safety measures like, chilly spray, bunch of keys, poking rings, strong umbrella and also can use the shoe.

Street Play:

The student of PH Hinduja College of nursing performed the street play. In this play they brought forth many issues like girl child marriage, rape by relatives, friend’s pressure to have sexual relationship and how to say no to these things.

It made the girls to understand in a better way and even increased the interest of the girls and they could pay more attention.

We too had the pre test and post test where we had given them some questions based on the topic, to check their knowledge before the session and after the session.

By: Sr. Martha CSA, Ms. Velencia and Ms. Sanjina Uttan CCO

Kishoris from Gorai gain insights into Family Life

Family Life Education for Kishoris, Gorai on 20th Oct

Twenty Seven Kishoris gathered together on the 20th October at Gorai Church Hall from 2.30pm to 5.30pm as they were led through an insightful session on Family Life Education by the resource person Mrs. Xavier and Team from Hinduja Hospital Nursing College. 


The resource person using a powerpoint presentation covering important insightful topics like adolescent stage, physical changes during this period, menstrual cycle and personal hygiene to be maintained during this period. She dwelt on recognizing a good touch and a bad touch and explored with the young girls on the sensitive topic of premarital sexual relationship with a partner. She cited various examples and was able to reach the wave length of the young girls. 


The young kishoris opened up and posed various question to which answers were given which provided a lot of insight as the girls were able to understand and appreciate themselves. Their openness led the group to benefit as many taboo topics were covered. 

Core Committee Training, Sahyog CCO, Chowk 15th Oct, 2015

On the 15th October, 2015 Sahyog CCO, Chowk organized a training program for its Core Committee. A total of 12 members were present for the session. Ms. Shilpa Kashelkar, Consultant with CSA was the resource person for the program. 

The full session was quite an interactive one as she asked the participants about the leadership quality which they possessed and what kind of social work they would like to undertake in Chowk parish. 

Shilpa then went on to ask the Core Committee members about the social problems existing in the Chowk Community which they were facing and which affect them the most and to which they wanted to bring about some change. 

Finally she led the participants to reflect on their role and responsibilities as Core Committee members and how they could through the existing project bring about this change through their active cooperation and leadership. 

At the end of the program, the members felt energized as they shared on their vision for the CCO and how they would do their bit to make the CCO function to the best. This is actuality is the 'ownership' that we wish to bring about through this project.  

Core Committee Training, SahJeevan Social Centre, Pali - 13th Oct, 2015

Thirteen women from the Core Committee of Sahjeevan Social Centre, Pali gathered together on the 13th October at 2.30pm for a training on understanding their role and responsibilities as members to take up ownership of their CCO in Pali Parish. 

The group was first made sit in a circular way emphasizing the need to understand that the resource persons Ms. Shilpa and Mr. Cletus were not teachers but were part of the learning process with the group. 

The group enthusiastically began with prayer and they started identifying their own good qualities and also of their co members of the Committee. They were equally appreciative of each other and the CCO staff. 


They were soon led to identify the problems and issues that need to be addressed at the local level in Pali. They were quick to identify and corelate these issues to the project and soon Mr. Cletus went onto to share about the project goals and how they would need to be aligned to the project in order to achieve results. Ms. Shilpa kept the group alive with small exercises and energised them reminding them of their part in the project. 

The group having realized their role made plans to contribute to the process and the various planned activities along with Ms. Carol their CCO Social Worker.  

Advanced Capacity Building on Food Security, Sahyog CCO, Chowk - 9th Oct, 2015

On the 9th of October 2015 Sahyog Samaj Kendra, Chowk organized an advanced training program for 112 women on "Rationing and Food Security". Mr. Ajay Dhotre was the Resource Person for the program and he spoke to the women in simple Marathi about the issue using examples related to rationing services and the corruption that has plagued this government service. 

He motivated the women to address this Rationing Issue by forming groups of five women (Ration Action Group) for taking concrete action. He also provided information on the availability of the complaint book at the Ration Shop. If five women write complaints in the complaint book the shop owner would have to pay Rs. 20,000 to the government as a fine. Women opened up asking him questions on the practical aspects of various problems they faced concerning the PDS (Public Distribution System) of Ration Foodgrains 

Financial Literacy Trainings for Women - Pali CCO - 9th Oct, 2015

Financial Literacy Trainings for SHG Women, Pali CCO

Sahjeevan Social Centre, Pali rolled out all the three modules of the Financial Literacy Training for a total of 23 women from two SHGs on the 9th October, 2015 from 2.00pm to 4.30pm. The session was conducted by Ms. Sheetal Palande. 

From the two SHGs 17 women were from St. Peter's SHG and 6 women were from Alphonso SHG. They enthusiastically interacted with each other understanding the various aspects of financial literacy. They were led to understand the need and purpose of savings and the various ways they could generate savings in their daily life. They first looked at the daily expenses and then went on to calculate how they could save by understanding the various types of wasteful expenditures in their life and society. 

Balsansad on the spot Easy writing Competition- Savdhan Social Centre, Manori

Savdhan Social Centre organized an on the spot essay writing competition for Balsansad children on 8^th October 2015. A total of 13 children took active part in the competition.

The children’s were very excited to write an essay and they accepted the challenge to express their views. The children had a choice to chose one topic out of three. Topics were ‘Me and My Family’, ‘Me and Environment’ &’ Myself’. 

Eleven children wrote about ‘Myself' in which they briefly described about their names; hobbies  like cycling, dancing, reading, playing, sharing jokes; school names and family related information. The best essay was written by Ms Tanisha Bendoamar and Ms Aswenta Lakri.

Ms Tanisha – Std 7^th wrote about ‘Me and My Family’ where she describes about her family. She likes her family because she gets lots of love and care from her parents, grandparents and siblings. According to her opinion, peace and silence is very important for every family and if the family is good then the children in the family are also good.

Ms Aswenta – Std 8^th   wrote about ‘Me and Environment’. Expressing herself she shares that God has created this environment for people. In this environment there are different seasons like rainy season, winter season and summer being the main season. Environment means a culture of life. Many things are included in the environment like house, trees, church, animals etc. She felt that Water, trees and human beings are the main components of the environment.  If there are no people then there is no use of the environment. She expressed her love for the environment.

Report by- Ms Rasika Bhandari & Ms Suvarna Bandya 

First Core Committee Training for Uttan CCO - 5th Oct, 2015

Session for Core Committee in Uttan

On 5^th October 2015 we had session for our core committee members at Uttan in Durado hall. The session was led by Ms. Sheetal Palande the program coordinator. There were total 10 members present for the session.

The session began with the short prayer led by Ms. Sanjina and there after Ms. Sheetal took over the session. The session began with asking various questions like

Ø  Why Core committee?

Ø  What is Core committee?

Ø  What is the need of core committee?

Ø Among many why only few or you are only  selected?

Ø  What is the role of the Core committee?

These questions were aptly answered by the participant.  Each one of they agreed saying that since we are actively involved in all the parish activities and take the initiatives so we are selected.

Then Ms. Sheetal explained to them about the project for Dharavi Island. Which are the groups that we will be working and what are the activities we will be having with them and the reasons of stopping the activities with youth and the senior citizen.

After this she proceeded to problems faced by people in the villages. The participants brought forth all the problems like Cleanliness, Bus problem, abortion, Alcohol etc. Members expressed that we have many problem in the villages but there is no unity  nobody wants to come forward. We decided that along with CCO and CSA (Sr.Martha) will attend the meetings and together will work on it.

By Sr. Martha, Ms. Sanjina and Ms. Valencia

Taking Financial Literacy to the Gorai Sea Shore - 6th Oct, 2015

Taking Financial Literacy to the Sea Shore at Gorai

As the Fisherfolk men were not available in their homes and could not come to the CCO for the planned training. The staff of Gorai CCO - Sr. Christel, Nasim and Natal took a bold innovative step, they went and met the men at their place of work i.e. the sea shore at Gorai on the 6th October from 10.30 to 12.00noon. A total of 36 fisherfolk from Upper Koliwad actively participated in the session conducted by the team. 

Sr. Christel first explained the importance of savings and the need for savings. She had a brainstorming on the topic and during this time the fisherfolks expressed that they do need savings for purposes like building of houses, children's education, health expenditure in the family and of course for the future needs of the family. Thereafter Sr led them to reflect on their daily expenses and how they could save money instead of frivolous expenses like buying breakfast and snacks from the road side vendors and from the market when on the contrary they could have healthy food at home. 

She then went on to question them on their sources of income and how they spend the income earned through the sale of fish. They enumerated the reasons being for celebrations like wedding in the family, feast and festivals. Having being led to understand their situation, one of the fisherfolk voiced his opinion on how it was not necessary to spend to show outsiders and how they could jointly take an initiative to curtail their own expenditure and start by being examples to other families in the neighbourhood. 

~ By Sr. Christel, Ms. Nasim and Ms. Natal

Balsansad Cleanliness Drive - Rally - Suryodaya Samaj Kendra, Gorai - 2nd Oct, 2015

The Balsansad Children from Suryodaya Samaj Kendra (SSK), Gorai were all charged and ready to do their bit to make a difference to the Environment. 175 children were present early in the morning at 8.30am at Culvem Village, Gorai on the 2nd October, 2015 and began their Rally to communicate and demonstrate the importance of a Clean and Hygienic Environment. 

The Rally began with a Prayer and a Blessing by  the Parish Priest and Director of SSK, Gorai - Fr. Barthol Machado. Ms. Natal the Social Worker then went on to explain the importance of the day, namely being 2nd October, it is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India. Fr. Sandeep and Sr. Christel explained the slogans to be used for awareness. 

The Rally then started with shouting of slogans with great energy. The children followed the route planned. They started from the the Church Compound to Upper Koliwada and they walked towards the sea shore and then came to Lower Koliwada, Bhandarwada, Talzen Murzel, Muddan and at last they returned to their own village i.e. Culvem. From there they came back to the Church Hall. Their slogans carried the message of the importance of maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings. 


They also tried to motivate the children who do not attend to come and join the Balsansad. They stressed on recruiting children from Culvem, Muddan and Bhandarwada. 

The Rally ended in the church compound and the children were provided with snacks.