First Core Committee Training at Suryodaya Samaj Kendra, Gorai

The Core Committee of Gorai CCO - Suryodaya Samaj Kendra assembled together on the 21st September, 2015 for a training on 'Taking Ownership of the Project" which was facilitated by Centre for Social Action, Program Manager - Mr. Cletus Zuzarte accompanied by Ms. Sheetal Palande - Program Coordinator for the Project. 

The training began at 10.30 am in the Hall adjacent to the Church. Mr. Cletus began by pointing out to the banner which depicted the name of the CCO and how it functions as the nodal point of all social work interventions in the parish. He asked the 10 participants to close their eyes and write down their good qualities which they shared with the whole group. This was followed by them envisioning what changes they wished to bring about in the Gorai Communities. 

The participants expressed their dreams in short sentences which was then linked to the Project being implemented in Gorai. Cletus took a white sheet of paper along with matchsticks and invited them to depict their dreams and match it with the Project goals which actually enfleshed out programs for the year. Starting with Women Empowerment, Bal Sansads, Fisherfolks and Kishoris the participants were able to actualize their hopes and dreams through the project activities which were planned by the staff of Suryodaya for the year. 


The participants became clear of their role to actualize these programs and how their part was essential in order to make these programs a reality. One person remarked that certainly it was his mission to take transform Gorai into a beautiful village, the Bal Sansad children were so motivated as they realized twenty years hence, they would need to lead the process of change in Gorai. 

This first part of the training ended at 1.00 pm with a story which motivated the participants to build their CCO and realize they are not just bricks but part of the plan to build the community. The difference was evident as the participants actually asked when the next part of the training would be held so that they could participate in it. 

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Understanding the value of Gender, Kishoris from Manori - 21st Sept, 2015

The Kishoris (Adolescent Girls) from Manori were led through a Training on Gender with a focus on Discovering the value of their 'Gender' on the 21st September, 2015 at Savdhaan Social Center, Manori. 

The twenty one Kishoris were led to deepen their analysis of 'Gender Discrimination' as experienced in society by Ms. Shilpa Keshlekar the Resource Person. She spoke citing examples on how the term 'gender discrimination', which means 'discrimination on the basis of one's gender' does not actually define the term in the real sense. She went on to spell the many factors causing gender discrimination, the first being society itself as it ascribes specific behaviour patterns to males and females. The other factors that influence gender forced inequalities includes religion, caste, culture, race and also education. If a woman comes from a lower income group equal status is not given to her. 

In this context as the Kishoris got involved in group discussion and sharing their experiences, it was indeed positive to note that not a single Kishori present felt that she had ever been discriminated against in her life, in terms of being rich or poor, upper or lower income group or coming from the rural background. However they agreed that discrimination and inequalities existed in society. 

Financial Literacy Training for Kishoris, Manori - 17th Sept, 2015

Financial Literacy Training - Importance of Budgeting

On the 17th Sept, 2015 a group of enthusiastic Kishoris (adolescent girls) met together in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church Hall and were led together through a Financial Literacy Training on the 'Importance of Budgeting', by the CCO staff, Ms. Suvarna Bandya. 

She began the session by asking questions to the young girls on 'what is meant by budget?'. Budget is prepared in order to estimate an expense for the future. It is prepared on a weekly, monthly or periodical basis. for e.g. the monthly expense of rations, electricity bill etc. 

Budget is important as if conduct a careful study on our required expenses then we get a clear idea on how much money we  need to keep aside for our expenses. The girls were led through a series of exercises that enabled them to calculate, where they spend their money for e.g. typical household expenses like transportation, food, clothing, medical, recreation etc. The girls then calculated their monthly income and expense and were led to realize what action they could take to save or use their savings wisely. For e.g. if they had a surplus then they could save their money, or they were overspending then they would need to reflect and stop expenses. 

Report prepared by Ms. Snehal Patil. 

Women and Kishoris Take One Step Towards Saving for the Future

Snehajyot Samaj Kendra initiated Financial Literacy with Women and Kishoris in order to inculcate within them a habit of savings and plan for the future. The topics covered were on the concept of Saving, Budgeting and Planning.

Date	Module	Target Group	Resource Person	Total No.
02/08/2015	II	Women (Subhechya SHG,Mhotagoan)	Ms Velenciya (CCO Uttan)	08
03/09/2015	I	Women (New Suvarna SHG, Patan)	Ms. Sanjina (CCO Uttan)	09
15/09/2015	III	Kishoris (Adolescent Girls)	Ms Velenciya and Ms. Sanjina (CCO Uttan)	50

Module I: Why Save?

• Importance of Saving

Module II: Why Budget?

• Identified current spending habits 
• Analysed daily expenditure 
• Explained the difference between needs and wants
• Relation between Budget and Saving.

Module III: Financial Planning:

• Identified Essential and Non-Essential Expenses
• How to reduce the expenses
• Needs, Wants and Vices.

The sessions were conducted by Ms. Velencia and Ms. Sanjina, the staff from Snhajyot Samaj Kendra, the Uttan CCO.

The participants were able to understand the need for savings and inculcate the habit of savings through planning for their expenditure through very practical steps of preparing a budget that is applicable to their lives.



The participants responded very enthusiastically as the sessions were interactive and interesting.

One group of women, Subhechya SHG were so enthused with the session that they decided to open a separate account in to which they would start by saving Rs. 20 on a daily basis.

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Report by Sr. Martha CSA, Ms. Velenciya and Ms. Sanjina.

Bal Sansad Children Experiment with Income Generation

Little Children lead the way!

Yes, you will be surprised that fifteen enterprising children just put a question to their animator, "Can we run a stall with religious articles during the week of the Novena in preparation for the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary? This suggestion was actively taken up by the staff at Suryodaya Samaj Kendra, Gorai and then took the required from the Parish Fathers. 

On the 28th August, 2015 during their Bal Sansad Meeting, the staff from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm, carefully explained to the children the responsibilities and the discipline required to be maintained while handling the proposed endeavour. They were then lead through a leadership exercise and explained how they would need to handle all kinds of people who would question them and how they would need to deal with them in a professional business manner, at the same time ensuring that they would become their customer. 


The children reportedly did a brisk sale of religious articles and they even reported a profit as they maintained a daily rigour of submitting accounts to their animator. 


"It was indeed a learning experience, as we learnt how to handle money and keep simple accounts", mentioned one boy from the team. Another girl remarked, "It was so necessary to be careful while replying to all the aunties and uncles and not say anything more than required". 

All in all it was a really good experience in growing up responsibly!

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Financial Literacy Training At Savdhaan Samaj Kendra, Manori

Topics:  Importance Of Saving & Building Good Habit To Save Money

Resource Persons:  Ms Rasika Bhandari, Ms Suvarna Bandya & Ms Snehal Patil

Date	Venue	Target Group	Participants
6th September 2015	St. John Zone	Fatima Mahila Bachat Gat	8
6th September 2015	St. James Zone	St Anthony Mahila Bachat Gat	11
6th September 2015	St. James Zone	Bible Mahila Bachat Gat	8

The session began with the resource person giving two examples of housewives Rekha and Jaya.  Rekha lived with her husband and two children. Her husband was the sole earner member in the family. Rekha had a good habit to save money in the bank regularly. Jaya lived with her husband and three children. Her husband was a carpenter by profession and the sole earner member of the family. Jaya on the contrary spends her entire income by the end of every month.

 

It so happened that one day both the families were affected from one unfortunate incident of illness. Rekha's son suffered from Malaria and Jaya son was infected the hepatitis virus. Both children were hospitalized. The cost of treatment was easily borne by Rekha as she had savings however Jaya had to take a loan from her friends.

Using these examples various questions were asked to the participants like ‘why save money?. The participants actively responded with various reasons like its usage for the future, major illness, daily expenses, marriage, boat repairs, education, purchase gold, property etc.

The participants learnt the importance of saving money. The money saved in a nationalized Bank attracts a good interest and serves as a security. A person has access to its record and learns to use money for essentials and save now for a secure future. Thereafter the person can use the accumulated money for any emergency situation or for building assets.

Report by- Ms Rasika Bhandari 

Artistic Skills of Bal Sansad Children of Gorai

The Bal Sansad Children of Gorai were encouraged to bring out their artistic skills as they entered into a Drawing Competition organized by Suryodaya Samaj Kendra, Gorai on the 3rd September, 2015 in the Church Hall. 

Over 30 Children participated and from them two were the winners. Their drawings are displayed on the notice board in the CCO and the children were given prizes. The children proudly speak about their drawings to their parents and friends.