Centre for Social Action - CSA Mumbai

CSA Bulletin - November 2011

2011-11-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

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CSA IMPACT - AUGUST 2011

2011-08-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

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CSA Impact - April 2011

2011-04-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

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A Revisit of the Archdiocese of Bombay Social Perspective Plan

2010-12-20T20:25:00.000-08:00

A revisit of the Archdiocese of Bombay Social Perspective Plan was conducted at Sarvodaya on December 17th & 18th, 2010. There were 55 participants, comprising of heads of various organisations and institutions, men and women religious, lay people who have contributed to social change and staff of the community centre organisations.

Fr Elias Gonsalves, the Director of the Centre for Social Action gave a brief introduction to the importance of revisiting the Perspective Plan that was prepared in 1999 and he shared about the preparatory process that had taken place during the Lenten Reflection and thereafter.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias delivered the key note address and said that the season of Advent is a season of waiting in hope for our Lord’s coming. He said that Jesus always had a preferential option for the poor and the marginalized when he quoted from the gospel of Luke. He said that it is important to reflect on what the priorities in our social apostolate are. We need to be constantly open to new ideas and to different challenges that we face in our work. Each one has much to contribute from the experiential knowledge that we have which will make our work more effective and fruitful.
He said that Pope Benedict has said that the Church cannot take the place of government to tackle all the problems, but we can be leaven in the dough and influence and pressurize the government to implement the programs for the poor and the marginalized. But we need to have a clear vision and a mission statement. He said that in today’s context networking with the government and other like minded organizations is very important just as advocacy and lobbying are important to tackle the problem of corruption that is rampant in society. We should also use the media effectively to influence civil society.
He wished all the participants success in their deliberations as they revisit the Archdiocesan Social Perspective Plan.

Dr. Keith D’Souza, Director of Human Touch was the facilitator for the two day meeting. Through various exercises and group discussions he led the participants to reflect, share and draw out objectives and activities for the following priority program areas of the archdiocese namely - Vulnerable Children & Education, Women’s Empowerment & Livelihood, Communal Harmony, Care for Creation, Youth and Governance.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Fr. Elias.

CSA - IMPACT - December 2010 vol 3. No. III

2010-11-22T00:24:00.000-08:00

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CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER & DISEASE – 2010

2010-11-12T21:08:00.000-08:00

Centre for Social Action

(Archdiocese of Bombay)

Invites you to launch the CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER & DISEASE – 2010

Care for Creation and the Right to Sustainable Livelihoods for the Poor

on 27th November, 2010

Speakers: Fr. Allwyn D’Silva, Fr. Xavier Devadas SDB

Ms. Francin Pinto & Mr. Inir Pinheiro

Bishop Percival Fernandez

Aux. Bishop of Bombay

will preside over the programme

Venue:

Sarvodaya Capacity Building Centre,

St. Pius College Campus,

Goregaon (E),

Mumbai - 400 063.

Time: 9.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Followed by Lunch

Fr. Elias Gonsalves

Director

and Staff of Centre for Social Action

RSVP :

Centre for Social Action

III Eucharistic Congress Bldg.,

5 Convent Street, Mumbai - 400 001.

Tel: 22021509/ 22022987

csamumbai@gmail.com

Programme Download

CSA NEWS BULLETIN - AUGUST 2010

2010-08-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

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CSA NEWS BULLETIN - APRIL 2010

2010-04-05T04:29:00.000-07:00

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CSA - News Bulletin October 2009

2009-11-28T01:47:00.000-08:00

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Annual Advent Campaign Against Hunger and Disease 2009

2009-11-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

The Centre For Social Action (CSA) is the Office for Social Work and Development of the Archdiocese of Bombay, and works for the empowerment and upliftment of the poorand the marginalised people in the city of Mumbai and its suburbs, and in the Thaneand Raigad districts.

The Holy See introduced the annual Campaign Against Hunger and Disease internationally in the 1960s. In India, Caritas India, in collaboration with each Diocesan Offi ce for Social Work and Development, implements the campaign in the season of Advent. During this campaign,each individual’s precious contribution to it is raised as an expression of the Church’s solidarityand support for the poor and the marginalised who are victims of hunger and disease in our country. In India, the funds are utilised for developmental works for the poor and themarginalised, and for emergencies and disasters such as fi re, fl oods, earthquakes etc. At the international level, these funds are utilised for the poor in the developing countires.

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 a relevant social problem. The themes for the Campaign Against Hunger and Disease for 2009 are: “Peace & Harmony and Climate Change & Drought”. May we earnestly request you to refl ect on these themes, and begin to take some concrete action in our communities, neighbourhoods and in our society at large?

In this context, we request you to make special efforts to raise resources locally, which will be utilised to improve the conditions of the poor. We have initiated and sustained children and women groups in the city, as well as in the Raigad district, to create communal harmony and to give a strong message of Peace & Harmony. We urge you to join in the campaign by your own initiatives for peace. Your valuable contribution will be utilised for the empowerment and self-realisation of the poor, so that they may benefi t from the developmental programmes of the government and the NGOs in order to live in peace and harmony.

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 at our below-mentioned address:

CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ACTION
Eucharistic Congress Bldg. III,
5, Convent Street, Mumbai - 400 001.
Mobile: 98699 32641,
Ph. 0091- 22- 2202 1509 / 2987
email: csamumbai@gmail.com

News from Raigad District - Reasons to Rejoice

2009-10-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

BLOOMING beauties of our Tribal world - A hidden treasure to be acknowledged and groomed. Our Katkari children continue to bloom as we put in our efforts through education and healthcare. A short interview was carried out to evaluate the performance of our children in the high school. In an interview with Sr. Kochu Theresia, the hostel-in-charge at Roha,
Snehavardhini, she was extremely happy to share that during the academic year 2008-09, Manisha passed the 10th with 51 %. There was great joy as sister shared with pride about Manisha's achievements. What future plans for Manisha? ……she is keen to pursue a two year course in Agriculture. It is very encouraging for us to consider all the struggles that she has gone through to achieve these results, as we ourselves continue our struggle to inculcate the value and importance of education among our children. It is also heartening to note that this year 30 girls have enrolled in classes' 2 to 9.

From Mahad, Jankalyan, Deepak shared their joy as 7 boys passed their 10th std and will now be doing their junior college studies. His joy knew no bounds when he received this news. One of their senior students has enrolled for his graduation studies. Another boy has completed his B.Sc.and has now enrolled to do his MBA. Though these boys are not Katkaris, they too are tribal boys. These boys are an inspiration and are role models for the ones following them. Hats off to these boys and we wish them God's blessings. We also extend our appreciation to Fr. Carlton and to the dedicated staff at Jankalyan.Trust.

Last year 112 students were enrolled and this year there are 117 students.

From Mahad, Sr. Silvy from Jivan Vikas Kendra gave us an over view of their boarding program. Last year out of the 101 admissions 73 girls persevered till the end. This academic year, 2009-10 they have 72 girl students - one is in 10th std, six in 9th and five in 8th. They are all very hopeful of the future.

Sr. Surekha from Amardeep, Mangaon expresses her happiness as she exclaims - 'Thank God all the old girls have passed and there are no drop outs this year from the last batch'. This year i.e. 2009-10 there are 43 girls out of which three are in 8th std. and one is in the 12th. Rukmila Wagmare who was in the Little Angels English Medium School for her preschool passed with 96 % and has gone to the 1st std. in the Shradha English Medium School. It is a challenge for her as well as for us to see that she does well in her studies.

We experience great joy as the number of girls is slowly rising in all the boarding's.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE KATKARIS

Project 'CHILD' at J.J. Hospital, Byculla

2009-10-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Project CHILD (Child Health Initiative Leading to Development) is especially for those children who are infected and suffering from HIV / AIDS. CSA makes efforts to reach out to more and more children by organizing visits toward number 40 at the J.J. Hospital, and as a result 130 children are presently registered under this programme and the number is ever increasing. It is heartening to note that one fourth of the children have been enrolled in the nursery and balwadi. A majority of the children are studying in the 1st – 4th std and are little children, vulnerable, and in need of constant care and support. A little more than one fourth of the children are studying in the 5th – 9th std. Eleven percent of the children do not go to school; they are the ones who have never been enrolled in school due to their illness.

On the whole, the children who go to school are very good in their studies as is reflected in
their school progress reports. They are all happy to go to school. The children are mainly enrolled in government schools like municipal schools, Vidya Mandir, and the schools run by private NGOs. They are well accepted in the schools since their illness is not made known to the other children and to the school staff. 85 % percent of these children are undergoing ART treatment. The conditions in which these children live are not very conducive for their health. The nutrition powder provided to them helps them increase their immunity to a certain extent, and most of the children have also gained weight.

Street Plays Held at Uttan Bhayandar

2009-10-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

Street plays were conducted by Mr. Maxwell Rose at Uttan Bhayandar to conscientize the masses on their rights and responsibilities as citizens. These street plays have been very effective in putting forth the reality before the people which provoked them to realize that in a democracy it is very important that people's views and needs are to taken into consideration.
The street plays also enabled the people to think about changing their lives for the better through their active participation in the electoral process and electing a responsible government. One of the performers expressed that he was now more confident to face a gathering of people
and express his views confidently. While another exclaimed, “it was an eye opener, I was living in a false world, now I know the social realities in which I exist and my responsibilities towards the same”.

An Update from the Jeevan Dai Community Centre – Sahar Andheri

2009-10-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

A three day awareness programme on domestic violence was conducted by CSA for the mahila mandal members. Stress was laid on improving ones lifestyle and in becoming better leaders in society. Sr. Jacintha Jacob, the coordinator of the program is grateful to Fr. Herman Almeida the Director of Jeevan Dai for his support and guidance.

An Update from the Asha Deep Community Centre – Mahim

2009-10-07T23:01:00.001-07:00

The Centre for Social Action had arranged a number of awareness programmes on different issues and the resource persons had planned and conducted their sessions well. We, the participants have benefited a lot from these awareness programmes. We are conducting similar awareness programmes at the community level and we try to explain what domestic violence and human trafficking are all about. We reach out to the victims of domestic violence and also help them voice their concerns. We have also arranged for street plays in the local areas of Mahim. In the process of reaching out to the affected people, we have also become aware of other institutions that are involved in this kind of work and we can seek their help and assistance in the future.

Publication of the Socio-Economic Survey for Dharavi Island

2009-10-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

The socio-economic survey conducted for the Dharavi Island by the Xavier Institute of Social Research (XISR) Mumbai was published. A few meetings were held with the priests, sisters and coordinators of the 6 parishes of Dharavi Island along with the dean of the Bhayandar deanery Fr. Allwyn D'Silva and Fr. Anthony Dias, Director of XISR to discuss various strategic interventions in the area based on the study. Two of the immediate strategic interventions taken up by the Archdiocese are - first, in the field of education, to set up a degree college at Uttan Bhayandar which has received approval from the Government of Maharashtra and will become functional from this academic year. Second, an Extension Office of the Centre for Social Action has been started at the Muktisagar Prabodhan Kendra, Uttan Bhyandar.

Down an Action-Packed CSA Memory Lane…

2009-10-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

Fr. Rocky Banz

I have enjoyed an invigorating 12-year journey with the Centre for Social Action (CSA) from 1997 to May 2009. The people I've met and worked with along the way have been inspirational. The target groups I've helped serve have made every moment meaningful. And the outcomes have been extremely joyful!

When I began my mission in 1997, the present day CSA was known as the "Office for Social Work". Supported by Cardinal Archbishop Ivan Dias (then Archbishop) and Cardinal Oswald Gracias (then Chancellor), we registered the agency as a charitable trust under the Charity Commissioner, Mumbai, and with the Income Tax authorities and the Home Ministry, Delhi for FCRA purposes. Soon after, our focus shifted from charity and welfare work mainly within the Catholic community, to the empowerment of poor and marginalized communities using a Rights-Based Approach.

I have walked with CSA through the 90s and into the new millennium. The tide of technological breakthroughs has brought in its wake dramatic socio-economic and cultural changes. Millions of poor and marginalized people caught in the crosscurrents of change have been pushed to even lower rungs of the poverty ladder. Human trafficking, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), relocation of slum dwellers and global warming are issues that have reached monumental proportions. We realized that we could not function as a lone warrior for social change in the battle against deeply entrenched forces of social injustice. The only effective strategy was to collaborate with other like-minded institutions and agencies like the College of Social Work, Community Centres, NGOs, and CBOs. We were amazed at the momentum
that resulted from our combined efforts in working towards a common cause - equipping people at the grassroots with knowledge and skills to fight for their own destiny!

I owe our 12 years of successful interventions to the powerful support I received from our parish-based community centres, NGOs and CBOs. In Raigad District we collaborated with 16 centres to implement educational and empowerment projects targeted towards the Katkari tribal women and children.

A big feather in our cap is — Sarvodaya — CSA's very own Capacity-Building Centre constructed in 2006 to meet the training needs of grassroots community animators, church personnel, social workers, agency coordinators and directors. We are proud to announce that Sarvodaya is being used to full capacity not only for Archdiocesan seminars and workshops, but also by other secular social work organizations at the regional, national, and international level.

Another major celebration is CSA's participation in a research study of the socio-economic, political, cultural and other issues in the Uttan / Gorai belt (Dharavi Island) in the Thane district. This study has enabled us to scientifically determine effective strategies to address the problems faced by this target group, and design relevant programmes to meet their needs.

Every day in CSA has been an adventure. I enjoyed brainstorming new ideas and innovative projects with my staff. It was encouraging to network both nationally and internationally with individuals and agencies who expressed an interest in learning about CSA and our community development approach. I am extremely grateful to my staff for their unstinting support in every phase of work. As I move out of CSA and on to another phase of pastoral work, I feel immensely happy and satisfied that I was blessed with the opportunity to serve the poor and marginalized of the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Visit of Indo-German Social Service Society (IGSSS) Representative to Community Centres in

2009-10-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

Mr. Shishir Sawant from IGSSS Pune visited 4 community centres, Asha Ankur in Chakala Andheri, Jeevan Dai in Sahar Andheri, Salvation Seva Kendra in Dadar and Asha Deep in Mahim. He witnessed a street play performance by the animators and a community session on the issue of domestic violence. He appreciated the efforts and strategies used by the staff of CSA and the collaborative response from the community centres on the issue of domestic violence. He felt that consistent efforts need to be made to combat this evil in society.

Visit of Manos Unidas Representatives to CSA

2009-10-07T22:27:00.001-07:00

Manos Unidas, a funding agency based in Spain works in close collaboration with CSA on two projects namely - education of the tribals in the Raigad district and sensitizing the local masses on the issue of human trafficking. On 2nd March, two representatives from Manos Unidas - Ms Cecilia Gracias and Mr. Jacinto witnessed the project work done by CSA together with the
Ashadeep Community Centre at St. Michael's Church Mahim. Both of them appreciated the work being done by CSA and Ashadeep and congratulated the staff. They also witnessed a street play performed by animators of the project on the issue of human trafficking.

Capacity Building Workshops for the Community Animators

2009-10-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

As part of the ongoing series of capacity building workshops for the community animators, Civil Defense and Public Speaking Workshops were held for 32 animators. During the 2 day workshop on Civil Defense, Mr. Prajapati equipped the women with several first aid strategies, physical assistance and care to the injured. It was an alternate form of education and training imparted which aimed to empower the animators through appropriate skills and techniques leading to a gainful delivery of assistance to oneself and to those victimized or injured. During the workshop on the Art of Public Speaking and Leadership Styles and Traits, the resource person, Ms. Vrusheela, very creatively evoked a participative response from the animators from this workshop. In a gradual manner, through activities, group discussions and role plays she enabled every animator to come forward to exhibit his or her hidden potential to face the audience fearlessly. By the end of the workshop all the animators expressed their satisfaction that their levels of confidence had increased

Capacity Building Programme

2009-10-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

Launch of the capacity building programme for the Community Animators held at Salvation Seva Kendra Dadar 65 participants from various community centres from Borivali to Kalyan E/W participated in the workshop. the resource person was Mr George Rodrigues. the programme was held in Hindia and marathi with lots of activities and active participation from all the participants on self esteem and self identity.

Dumping Ground Agitation at Uttan Bhayandar

2009-10-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

Dumping Ground Agitation at Uttan Bhayandar a 10 day long protest by the residents of uttan bhayandar agaianst a garbage recycyling plant in the area, was broken when the police fired tear gas shells at the protestants and assualted them with lathis. over 20 villagers, including two christian priests, sustained injuries in the stone pelting. Christian organisation reacted strongly to the police lathi charge

Behrampada Fire Emergency Distribution

2009-10-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

Behrampada Fire Emergency Distribution of relief material to the victims in collaboration with Bandra East Community Centre and Caritas India

“Bal Sansad” and “Bal Panchayat”

2009-09-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

Ms. Amruta Shinde from the CSA is in the process of initiating and establishing children's groups where the concepts “BalSansad” and “Bal Panchayat” will be operationalized in the urban and rural areas respectively.

A Bal Sansad creates a forum for children for their rights and overall development. A preliminary session towards the formation of a Bal Sansad for the children of rag pickers was conducted at the St. Francis Xavier Church, Kanjur Marg in order to build a good rapport with the children. Through various interactive games the children were encouraged to participate in the process. The children were found to be very cooperative and enthusiastic. It is expected that this concept will mould these children into more “responsible citizens” of tomorrow, and they will understand and appreciate their duties and responsibilities and will also fight for their rights.

Networking with the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) Team

2009-09-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

The CSA team plans to network with the JPC team and also work with the Federation of Community Centre Organisations (FCCOs) in order to strengthen them.

Publication of the Socio-Economic Survey for Dharavi Island

2009-09-24T22:45:00.001-07:00

I Dare to Dream…

2009-09-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

With deep gratitude in our hearts we thank the Lord for the Sixty-Two years of Independent India. We have been enjoying the fruits of our freedom for so long. Despite the ups and downs we have come a long way, while our neighbouring countries struggle to keep their democracies up and running.

We are very pleased to place this issue of 'CSA IMPACT' in your hands. We take this opportunity to thank our predecessor Fr. Rocky Banz for his tireless efforts during the past 17 years to bring CSA to its present day name and fame. We still have a lot to do in the field to bring about Social Change in this great city of Mumbai and in the surrounding districts of Thane and Raigad.

This year is dedicated to PEACE AND HARMONY as declared by the CBCI and Caritas India. Our Archbishop His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias has initiated this movement in the Archdiocese by organizing a series of dialogue sessions with Hindu religious leaders. Today in this modern world, do we need to work for Peace and Harmony? When the world has become a global village with a mass media communication revolution, is there such a need? I think, never before was there such a great need felt as in recent times. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, 26/11 and the attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, people feel quite insecure. The Christian community, a minority community in our country, is looked upon with suspicion. In these circumstances we look up to our leaders to show us the way.

CSA has been working for Social Change in various fields with the poor and marginalized groups in Mumbai city as well as in the Thane and Raigad districts. We have a large number of (Centres for Community Organization) CCOs, (Community Based Organizations) CBOs and NGOs networking at the local and grass root level for women's empowerment through SHGs, IGPs and issues such as domestic violence, human trafficking, SEZ, environment etc., keeping in mind our clear Perspective Plan. For those parishes that do not have CCOs and CBOs and are interested to start them, CSA will be happy to provide support in this regard.

In this time of global recession and economic melt down many other problems crop up. The rights of the poor and the marginalized are being denied by the mighty and powerful, nevertheless, we continue to empower our women. We need to communicate the message of Peace and Harmony to the society at large in this generation as well as the next. We think these
batons have to be given to the children in our city and in the districts. The women we work with could help us tremendously to propagate and operationalize this message of Peace and Harmony.

In this year CSA has planned along with all our developmental work to give the message of Peace and Harmony through children. We have made an Action Plan for the year, to start 200 Children's groups, 100 each in the city and in the districts. These Children's groups will be formed keeping in mind the concepts of “Bal Sansad” and “Bal Panchayat”, with a clear Vision,
Mission and Objectives. The children will be required to fulfill certain duties and responsibilities and the Rights Based Approach (RBA) will be inculcated in them from early childhood. Let us make this dream possible in this year of Peace and Harmony so that in the coming years we will be able to form many more groups of children to fight for their rights.

Some one has said, “To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe”. Keeping this in mind and with our small step we can empower the next generation to become self-reliant and self-confident. Only then will this dream become a reality. Here we remember the words of Robert Frost, “I have miles to go and promises to keep before I sleep.”

Fr. Elias Gonsalves
Director

Archbishop's Message

2009-09-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Peace & Harmony

The United Nations has declared “Reconciliation” as one of the themes for the year 2009. This could not have come at a more appropriate time.

Our country has been witnessing much of a divide along different lines: religion, caste, place of origin, economic status and so on. Regrettably the situation does not seem to be improving. Some forces, both internal and external, seem bent on keeping this tension/ divide alive, The
alienation among different people appears to be increasing.

In a situation like this, the Christian community’s call to so its best to bring about a world filled
with values of the Gospel: of peace, love, harmony and unity, becomes more imperative.
I am requesting all our Archdiocesan Commissions and the Centre for Social Action to take
initiatives to promote peace and harmony in our community, in the Church and in civil society.

The Center for Social Action, in particular, could focus on the poor and the marginalised by organising development programmes for them. The Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary, which coincides with the Independence Day of our Country, is a feast of Hope, Freedom and Joy. May the year of Peace and Harmony, through our efforts, bring hope, freedom and joy to all our people.

+ Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay