Empowering CCO Staff through Capacity Building - Karuna Kendra, Pokhran - 23rd, Oct, 2015

Date: 23.10.2015  

Time: 10am to 12:35pm

Venue: Karuna Kendra CCO, Pokhran

Nature of the Training: Capacity building training

Resource person: Ms. Shilpa Kashelkar

Members Present: KK staff and CSA staff (15 members)

Main objective of the training: CCO staff strengthening

The training started with a prayer song after which there was an ice breaker game conducted by the resource person. She led the participants into the process of collaborative efforts. The whole purpose of it was to strengthen the staff and work together as Karuna Kendra CCO.

She explained ASK- A- Attitude, S- Skills, K- Knowledge which are very much required in the field of social work. She started with the brief Social Work-History, Meaning & Ethics/Principles

Understanding History- Service by Family, Community, Kings, and Religious Groups etc. to aged, differently abled people, destitute, widows, and people with poverty etc.

Meaning – Social work is a helping profession; the main goal of social work is to improve a society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Acting to bring about social or systemic change to reduce social barriers, inequality and injustice.

Ethics/ Principles-To believe in people’s inherent worth, dignity and capability of continuing development, To work towards well being of people, To work with people with values such as honesty, peace, cooperation and accountability

Social Work Methods

Individual Work/Case Work Method- Social case work is the method used by social workers/organizations to help individuals to cope more effectively with their problems. 

Group Work Method - Social Group Work is a method of social work which helps the individuals to enhance their social functioning through purposeful group experiences and to cope more effectively with their problems.

Community Work Method- Community work is a primary method of social work. Community Organization is the process of people coming together to address and work on the issues that matter to them.

Community Organization –(Different from Charity, Different from Individual and Group work) CO  is using human rights approach, with legal framework, it is work for justice and rights, based on empathy, decision making and ownership with people, process is participatory and transparent, working towards empowerment.

Community Work Methods

Principles - Acceptance of Community, Understanding & identification of problems, Needs &  resources, Self Determination & Democratic Decision Making, People’s Participation, Intergroup Approaches, Maximum Utilization of Indigenous Resources, Evaluation,

Steps in CO- Identify the problem, List the problem, Give Priorities, Select problem, Redefine problem, Formulate achievable objectives, Work out alternatives, Select an appropriate alternative, Work out a plan of action, Mobilization resources, Implement the plan of action, Evaluate the action, Modification, Continuation, Select the next problem

Role of CO- Communicator, Guide, Counselor, Collaborator, Consultation, Innovation, Role Model, Catalyst, medium, Motivation, Advocate, Mediator, Educator, Facilitator,

Characteristics of CO- An organized personality, Free & open mind, Understand community situation with  cause and effects, Good observer, listener,  Can develop communication & networks,

Skills of CO - Problem analysis, Resource Mobilization, Conflict resolution, organizing meeting, Writing reports, Networking, Training

Strengthening CCO- Action Plan

Identifying leaders,- motivating them to take leadership, sharing information, knowledge building, networking, using space for people to come together, organizing meetings at center and communities, helping core members of each group to identify needs, problems, and also to work on same

Identify Community Issues- Water, Ration, Livelihood, SHG, Environment, and Food Security, health, Peace, Income generation, Implementation of Government schemes, Law & rights, safety

Rights of – Children, Youth, Women, Senior Citizen, Men

Use of  Human Rights perspective and Community Organization for empowerment of community people and sustainability - Participation, Involvement, Network, Leadership, Responsibility Sharing, Information sharing, Learning from each other, Community Ownership

The training ended with the few tips to work in collaboration with the likeminded organizations in the cco which would enhance the activities of karuna Kendra cco.

By: Sr. Anjana Parmar, CSA

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.

Capacitated Leaders in Action, Poinsur - 8th July, 2015

On 8^th July 2015,Roshini Graha Community Centre had organized a Capacity Building Program for community women. CSA staff – Ms. Mishal Dabre conducted a session on Leadership. 23 community women had participated in this session. The objective of the workshops was to allow community leaders to reflect on, and practice their values as well as build their knowledge and use resources to improve community performance.

The workshop began with an icebreaker .Mishal spoke on different styles of leadership that help them to develop skills and confidence. Also she discussed leadership qualities and gave a recipe to become a good leader. Women had shared their community issues like, toilet, water, garbage etc. She guided the women on how they can take an initiative to solve these issues at the community level.

As a result of the training after one week one of the women from the community, Ms. Selvi P. had taken an initiative to solve the toilet issue. She clicks pictures of the situation and then drafted a letter with the help of CCO staff which will be submitted to the Ward Office. Her ration card was cancelled but with the help of CCO staff she contacted the Rationing Office and reactivated her card and solved the problem. The CCO staff and community leaders have gained confidence and have sharpened their skills to deal with authorities.

Mishal Dabre

CSA- Social Worker

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.