“Visualizing a change from being
mere ‘Domestic Workers’ to becoming ‘Home Managers’, is the dream that this
program seeks to achieve and I want to see this change and also measure this
change” is the challenge that Mr. Vinayak Dalvi, the CSR Regional Head of
Crompton Greaves, put to the 18 domestic workers and the organizers.
The eyes
of the 18 registered participants of the “Domestic Workers Skills Enhancement
Training Program” literally lit up with a hope as they looked towards the organizers,
Centre for Social Action (CSA) along with St. Pius X CCO the implementing
partner. Looking at the potential that this group held he promised that once
they completed this basic course they could look towards specializing their
skills with further advanced courses and CG would be happy to extend their
support further to making this a reality.
An inauguration to this training
program was held on the 16th December, 2015 at St. Pius X School
Mini Hall at 3.30pm. The program began with an introduction and the lighting of
the lamp signifying a light that will enlighten the lives of the domestic
workers as they seek to transform their lives through sharpening their current
skills.
The chief guests of the Inauguration of the Domestic Workers Skills
Enhancement Training Program - Mr. Vinayak Dalvi and Ms. Bhawna Solanki from
Crompton Greaves along with Fr. Cleophas Fernandes lit the lamp and inaugurated
the Program. Mr. Cletus Zuzarte the Program Manger of CSA gave a brief of the
organization and explained the objectives of the Training Program.
The training
seeks to enhance the current skills of the women through a basic comprehensive
course on hospitality and care so that having enhanced their skills, gaining
self esteem and an identity they will be empowered to discuss, negotiate and ultimately bargain with their employers for
better emoluments. 
Sr. Alison the energetic Director
of St. Pius X CCO along with Mr. Sandip Hire the Social Worker from CSA
regularly visited the various local bastis of Indira Nagar, Vijay Nagar, Salfadevi,
Nahur Village, Gavnipada, Gaushala and Ramgadh and have developed a good
rapport with the community.
The domestic workers who meet regularly on one
Thursday of the month were briefed on this proposed training program. 20 of the
women registered for the program and hopefully those who did not attend would
soon realize that they missed something good.
Fr. Cleophas Fernandes the Parish
Priest and Managing Trustee of St. Pius X CCO encouraged the women present to
attend the training and gain from the opportunity placed before them and wished
them the very best in well articulated Marathi. 
The inauguration ended with a
word of thanks by Sr. Alison to the organizers and the support organizations.
She exhorted the women to continue to attend with the same enthusiasm and learn
in such a way that change is visible and their employers themselves communicate
to the parish that this course has made a difference.
Ms. Shilpa Kashelkar the
resource person for the first session on Personality Development led the women
through action songs and interactive games enabling them to develop a healthy
self respect coupled with etiquette and manners that would help in them in
their daily interaction within the homes that visit for work. The women left
the hall with a sense of gratitude and expectancy towards all that they would
learn in the coming four months.
~ Reported by Mr. Cletus Zuzarte
16th Dec, 2015
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