Capacity Bldg of Bandarpakhadi Women on Effective Teamwork

On the 22^nd June, 2017 a workshop was organized by CSA at Holy Cross Chapel, Bandarpakhadi for Mahila Mandals and SHG women. 29 women participated in the workshop animated by Fr. Sandeep Borges. Through group exercises and interaction with women he focussed on building the women into a team. He asked them about the purpose of the formation of the team. 

“Team is a collection of persons who interact with each other regularly and are work with each other to attain their common goals”. A team brings people together with different expertise and enable them to apply their specialized knowledge in solving their problems. It also helps in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

The Women expressed their happiness as their perspective of best utilization of their capacity and working together was enhanced.

Mishal Dabre

Womans day Celebration - Bunderpakhdi ( Kandivali)

And the celebration does not end .The women of Bunderpakhdi ( Kandivali) belonging to the holy cross Mahila Mandal celebrated women’s day on 9th March 2017 with the theme - ‘Addiction is more Dangerous than Poison”. Fr. Diago Pereira and Mrs. Rashmi Deepak Tawdae (Corporater)were the chief guest for the celebration. Mrs. Shoba Bajpai from Jeevan dhara was the guest speaker. She spoke on Addiction( Drugs, Mobile and alcoholism) The entire event was planned and executed by the women along with the help of CSA staff. 200 children, woman and men were present for the celebration.



The women who have never performed in front of
big crowds; CONFIDENTALLY performed skits, songs and dances to convey the message ‘ addiction is more dangerous than poison’. This day gave the women the motivation to 
continue spreading awareness on addiction and also continue helping local people in the village to fight against the use of these vices

Cancer awareness session on 22/8/16 at Bunderpakhdi.

On Monday 22^nd August 2016, Cancer awareness session was  organized by Holy Cross Mahila Mandal under the guidance of CSA staff Mishal Dabre.

Dr. Prachi Thakar  and Dr.K.Thakar, Oncologist  conducted a cancer awareness session. A presentation based on cancer and its root-cause was shown to 32 women of bunderpakhdi community. With the rising cases of breast cancer in the country, it becomes necessary to create awareness among the women about this deadly disease.

The women were acquainted with the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. Changing trends in eating habits, symptoms, risk factors and warning signs and prevention were some of the points that were discussed in the session.

Social worker Mishal Dabre said that the objective of conducting the session was to raise awareness among the community women. After the session, women were requested to conduct a camp of mammography and Pap test.

This Program was supported through WOCKHARDT Hospital by Mr. Madhav, Marketing Manager.

Livelihood Opportunities for SHG Women, Poinsur & Bunderpakhadi 30-6-16

Around 40 SHG women from Roshani Gruha CCO, Poinsur and Holy Cross Mahila Mandal Bunderpakhadi attended a Workshop on "Livelihood Opportunities for Women" at Roshani Gruha CCO on the 30th June, 2016. 

The Resource Person was Mr. Kokadkar from Shetkari Udyog Sanstha, he spoke on the topic of Livelihood Opportunities and in this context he introduced the various available schemes for livelihood. He shared various examples on how the women could set up stalls as per the need, as in the case of women who prepared and sold vegetable juice in a stall at the point where people come for their morning walk. Other possibilities is making available breakfast and lunch at strategic points for people near their office or their travel junctions. 

He shared different experiences of people who tried to obtain vegetables from the rural area and sell it in Mumbai less than the market price and yet make a huge profit margin. He shared the process on how the women could register their name and business with the BMC and they could then obtain an official licence to carry out their business. 

Summer Camp for Children, Bandarpakhadi - 19th to 21st April, 2016

Summer Camp for Children from Bandarpakhadi

19^th April to 21^st April 2016

This camp was conducted for children from Bandarpakhadi Vilage between the age of 7 yrs to 14 yrs.

Day one- To understand the values of being a good human being. 

For example:      

The paper folds game- Each group had to fit as many members as they could on a page from a newspaper. The paper had to be folded in half after every 30 seconds. Goal- How a team can help its members during difficult times.

Spot game- Kids were asked to pick a piece of paper on which a task was written which the individual had to complete with or without the help of a team member. Goal- How to handle a situation when put on spot.

Paper bowl- Each team had to make a bowl out of newspaper pieces. Goal- How to work together as a team.

Day two- Awareness regarding saving the environment and recycling. 

For Example:

The kids were taught how to make flower pots out of plastic bottles and candle stands out of soda cans.

 Day three-Leadership Skills were taught through activities.  

For example:

Recycled fabric flowers-the team leader had to guide the members to make a flower out of an old t-shirt.

Blindfold game-the team had to guide the leader in blindfolds to retrieve their flower which was given to another team.- Communication skill

Charades- A team member had to act out a phrase without talking and the team had to guess the right phrase in given time.

Ms. Mishal Dabre

Sr. Social Worker

Women's Day Celebration at Babrekar Nagar, Kandivali

The women’s day was celebrated on Thursday17^th March 2016 at Babrekar Nagar (Kandhivali).The purpose of this celebration was to bring the women of the area together for  a bonding and to give  moral support  to each other in the various challenges faced by them. It was to motivate them and to inspire them in their struggle as women. Many time we as women do not

“A woman is a full circle.  Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” Understanding a woman is a mystery and it needs lots of perseverance and knowledge. A woman is the epitome of love, sacrifice, care and ability to nurture life. The ability to nurture life makes woman the most powerful and strongest being. She can play different roles with ease be it that of a dutiful wife, obedient daughter, caring mother or adoring sister.

All women deserve respect, no violence and equality in everything. ‘A promise is a promise: it’s now time for action to end violence against women. Though society is changing and progressing towards equal right of both the genders but still we women are not empowered enough to raise our voice against the violation done to us. Keeping these thoughts in mind we advanced in preparing for the Women’s Day Celebration at Babrekar Nagar (Kandhivali). With dance, songs, video presentation and talk in empowering the women. There was a very good response from women of Babrekar Nagar. They were very active and enthusiastic participation of fifty women.

Since one very active women died in my women group due to cancer recently, so they requested me to have workshop on Cancer. The contributions that women make to families often are overlooked, and instead they are viewed as economic burdens. Many women are marginalized in society but they really desire to improve their lives and lives of their family members. There arises a need for women to receive timely health education. One of the most common health problems that women today are dealing with is BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER: "Breast cancer is definitely one of the most common problems with women today. While there's no one cause that can be ascertained as to why it hits one, science does understand some issues related with it. The main reason is the paradigm shift in lifestyle.

And so we invited Dr. Evelet Sequeira Public Health, Specialist Self Transformation COACH

 She is a well known person who is fully engaged in working with women to guide and motivate them in various aspects. There are times when women give priorities to other issues of life but neglect their own life. They neglect their health in taking care of others. So it was very much necessary to conscientize them and making them aware of various sudden health hazards affecting them as well. And so Dr. Evelet spoke about Complementary Approaches to CANCER. In that she covered what is cancer? The types of cancer that women suffer with. The cause symptoms and treatments of cancer. She also said about the feelings and the stress, anger which can cause cancer like disease. The intakes of food and emotions like our feelings way we treat our own selves are also the cause of   cancer. She explained in a very simple language which all women could understand.

On the whole, the workshops were highly appreciated, with anticipation for more sessions like these in the future. We express our gratitude to the resource person Dr. Evelet Sequeira, who accommodated us despite her busy schedule. I in fact thanked the women for their contribution and coming in good numbers to attend the women’s day celebration and session on Complementary Approaches to CANCER. All benefited. Ms.Premlata Thakur (Centre for Social Action -C.S.A) Mary Simon, for giving us the sound system and the space to have the programme. Roslin and Amali who helped me in mobilizing women of Babrekar Nagar.

Premlata Thakur.

Social Worker, Centre for Social Action

Women's Day Program at Hoy Cross Mahila Mandal Bunderpakhadi 13-3-16

250 children, Women and Men from Bunderpakhadi Community participated in the Women’s Day Program organized on 13^th March 2016 by  Holy Cross Mahila Mandal Bunderpakhadi. 

The theme of the day was "Stop Domestic Violence". Fr. Dominic celebrated the Mass and then we continued the program.  Men group composed and sang welcome  song on women responsibility.

Women group presented an awareness song on related to the topic. Ms.Clipsy Banji spoke on women identity and violence against her in different stages of life. 

Fr.Pradeep gave a motivation message to all the participants. With cultural program ended this program. 

~ Ms. Mishal Dabre

Children take steps to resolve the Water Issue, Bandarpakhadi, 26th Jan, 2016

Bunderpakhadi : On 26^th jan.2016, republic day, Holy Cross Children group had participated in poster and elocution competition on environment under the guidance of CSA staff Mishal Dabre. Children had prepared a poster on save water, then they presented in Holy cross Mahila Mandal meeting. 

In that community, they are getting dirty water. They took this issue to discuss in community meeting and met the corporator with application. 

He did not work on it. After 15 days the children wrote one application along with the Mahila mandal and gave it to the BMC. With the application, Mahila Mandal Core group met Assistant commisoner of BMC, and next day BMC worker came and completed the worked. Now they are getting good water.

Christmas Celebration for Children at Bandurpakhad, Kandivali on 22nd Dec, 2015

Christmas Celebration for Children

Date: 22-12-15

Venue: Holy Cross Chapel ,Bunderpakhadi

On 22^nd  December, 2015 the Mahila Mandal (Holy Cross) organized a Christmas Program for 42 Children from the area of Bunderpakhadi.  

The day began with an opening prayer which was conducted by Ms. Mishal Dabre (Staff of Centre for Social Action) then she spoke to the children on the theme environment and Christmas. Mr.Reggie(Gurav Garden) and his friends had sponsor gift hampers for  Children.

After the Christmas message children were given Christmas gifts and snacks. Children were very happy.

Mishal Dabre

Sr. Social Worker

A Healthy Woman is a Happy Woman - Babrekar Nagar, Kandivali, 9th Dec, 2015

A woman’s health is her last priority. This is what the social workers observed while working with women in the community. They rush to the aid of an ailing parent, child or spouse but always put their health last. With this objective in mind an, the CSA Staff  of thought asking women what kind of activities or sessions  do they want as a groups to be conducted for them.

So the women suggested that they wanted a workshop on Health. So the social worker Premlata made an arrangement to conduct the workshop on the Importance of Women’s Health. The resource person selected for the program, Dr. Evelet Sequeira is a Public Health developmental professional with an MD in Preventive & Social Medicine. Her career spans over 15 years in this sector and has worked with UN agencies (UNICEF), government departments, academic institutions and NGOs. She has been in the field of Self Development since the last 6 years and has been counseling people on Self Improvement, relationships, etc. She says that if you want to cure a person of a disease, you need to take out the “dis” in ‘disease’ and you will get “ease”. Through her workshop on 9^th December, 2015 with 20 women of Babrekar Nagar she helped them understand how simple lifestyle changes could bring about a change in their health and well being.

Dr. Evelet started with the food one must eat from morning to night and then proceeded to the topic of mental well being, the increasing risk of breast cancer and addressed several other queries of the women.Dr. Evelet being a joyous & bubbly soul kept the women entertained throughout with her simple tips, suggestions and positive thinking. After this she proceeded to different meditative techniques, breathing exercises, and very interesting healing and loving exercises. Some were individual exercises and some were group exercises .She explained how one must be able to love oneself first and then that love will spread to our family and others. Post these exercises the women felt relaxed, calm, and happy and some were also very emotional. Some even fell asleep during the meditative session giving them the much needed mental rest and break from household tensions and worries. She then performed a small aarti of the woman to make her respect the God within herself. 

Feedback from the women was positive as they had several queries about their health and many felt the need to tell their children and grand children about the things suggested. Most found the sessions very simple and light and felt the resource person really came down to their level and helped them understand basic concepts. There were 6 women who met the doctor personally and shared their problem with her.

The workshop was highly appreciated, with anticipation for more sessions like these in the future. We express our gratitude to the resource person Dr. Evelet Sequeira, who accommodated us despite her busy schedule. I in fact thanked the women for their contribution and coming in good numbers to attend the session on Health and benefited. Ms.Premlata Thakur (Centre for Social Action -C.S.A), Ms. Anucia for giving us the hall to have programme.And Amali who helped me in mobilizing women of Babrekar Nagar.

Premlata Thakur - Social Worker

Centre for Social Action

Women's Day Celebrated at Bunderpakhad, Kandivali 8-3-15

On the 8th of March Holy Cross Mahila Mandal, Bunderpakhadi had organized a Women’s day program for men and women under the guidance of CSA staff Mishal Dabre. The purpose of the program was to give awareness on gender equality. 

Mrs. Helan Futardo was the main speaker. She expressed her valuable thoughts on men and women equality. When women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored. 

Fr.Elias D’cunha expressed that women should take initiative to give better education to their children. Men and women both have to take responsibility to bring change in the society. 

The program began with a prayer dance.300 men and women were present. Welcome song presented by men and they did welcome all the woman with a flower .Women presented a skit on women identity. 

One of the representatives of Men and children read out a letter to appreciate the valuable work of women. A cultural program was presented to celebrate the occasion. Mrs.Depali Vaity, the President of the Mahila Mandal was the compere of the program.

by- Mishal Dabre

CSA Staff.