Domestic Workers - Rights and Entitlements, Mulund 12-7-16

Ten Domestic Workers were present on the 12th July 2016 at St. Pius X School Mini Hall as Ms. Chitra Kadam from House Workers Solidarity shared with them on the topic of "Domestic Workers Rights and Entitlements". 

Sr. Roselyn the newly appointed CCO Director started the session and introduced herself and her expectations with the group. Ms. Chitra then went on to explain about the various rights they were entitled to as Domestic Workers, quoting from the government document on the Act for Unorganized workers. 

She spoke of the need to prepare identity cards and the process of obtaining the same. At this point the women shared their apprehensions and the difficulties faced in the past to obtain the same. They openly shared about how they had been cheated, their money and forms filled but the earlier person in contact with the CCO had not been able to keep to her promise and how the government office had not responded to their applications which had  been submitted. 

Ms. Chitra requested the group to take a follow up on the issue with the department and shared the possible process. Ms. Mishal from CSA shared her experience on the difficulties faced by her at other CCOs. The women promised to try to work on the same, however putting faith in this system was practically unproductive  and unfruitful. 

A Vision Unfolds…Becoming Home Managers!

“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 16^th 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

16^th Dec, 2015

Participation in the BMC Exhibition of SHG products held at Mulund East

Date: 2^nd and 3rd November 15

Time: 8 a.m to 7 p.m

Venue: Chintamani Garden, Mulund East

Objective: Empowerment of the poor and marginalized women

The T ward officials i.e. community development officers invited St.Pius CCO to participate in the SHG women’s stall. The purpose was to allow the women to display and sale their home made products. The women would get the profit and BMC had provided the place for the various SHGs. St.Pius CCO participated both the days with lots of enthusiasm and zeal. Three women participated who had sold home made bakery items and Diwali sweets.

The women got an opportunity to come out in public and build confidence. They learnt a lot as it was very new experience for them. There were around 34 SHGs along with St.Pius CCO. Sr.Alison got a chance to explain about the various activities of St.Pius CCO. It was heart warming to see the overwhelming response from the people. Many came and asked about the various services provided by the CCO.

The bakery items especially the cakes were sold very fast. People liked it so much that they came asking for the next day. We thank many people who helped us a lot in putting up the stall. Thus the stall put up by St.Pius CCO helped the women  to learn many things.

Girl Child Day Celebration - St. Pius X, Mulund - 11th Sept, 2015

The Supplementary Class being conducted at St. Pius X CCO, Mulund, hosted a programme - “Girl Child Day (8th Sept)”  on the 11^th September 2015 from 5.00 to 6.00 pm inviting girls, boys and their parents to bring awareness of the girl child in our country.

The programme was conducted by Mrs Josephine Fernandes and Sr. Anjana. Sr. Anjana introduced Mrs Josephine Fernandes to the audience and it was well taken care by the teachers. Josephine did her best to draw attention to the parents the reasons why girl child is not given importance when she is in the prime of the family. Looking after the needs from sunrise to sunset e.g. making breakfast, cooking food, washing, bathing children, teaching, showing love and care to the family. The mother/wife works tirelessly for the family. She gets no income from her family members for the love, care and sharing she shows in the household chores.

They  showed how to respect a girl as she represents mother, wife, sister or a friend so it calls for awareness in the minds of our family. Treat a girl with goodness and kindness not for festivals celebrations like Rakhi, Dassera, and Diwali etc. but through her whole life as she is a model to her family and the world.

Women should stand up for their rights. One woman shared how she stood for her girl child when her husband did not take up the responsibility of the child. She took care of the girl child single handedly in spite of all the struggles she had to undergo. All clapped for this courageous act. Also girls showed interest in taking life seriously and of choosing their career to be Doctor, Teacher, and Engineers etc. All were appreciated for their determinations. Appreciation towards them boosted their morale. Teachers spoke to the parents of individual child about their performance in studies and encouraged their parents to do well and keep them happy at home.

The program ended with the strong determination and firmness to do something for the humanity.