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.

Community based organisation, Mobilization and SHG Formation 11-8-2016

On 11^th August 2016, 2nd Capacity building session was held at Dadar. The topic was community based organization, Mobilization and SHG formation.

CSA staff, Ms.  Mishal Dabre was the Resource person. There were 66 participants who were present  from various community centres.

She covered the following topics using different activities, group discussion and role play. 

They are as follows:

Definition, objective, methodology, process and SHG formation and documentation.

The objectives of CBO are to:
1. Establish community based institutes for sustainable community development.
2. Develop capacity of community to manage their development projects.
 Ensure community participation/involvement and thus ownership.

Community organization is known to lead to greater understanding of community context, and is characterized by community planning, community action and mobilization, the promotion of community change and ultimately influence within the  larger systems.

The participants actively participated and had an enriching session.

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. 

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. 

Leadership Skills for Children of Sarva Seva Sangh, Gyan Ashram, Andheri 22-4-16

Sarv Seva Sangh,Gyan Ashram Campus,Mahakali, Andheri - 22^nd April 2016

Leadership Skills for children between the ages of 12yrs to 16yrs.

The Goal was to make the kids understand the traits of leadership.

Activities were conducted so the children understand the types of leaders and how they affect the people they lead. 

For Example:

Three groups were made and were asked to elect a leader, then the leaders were called aside and each was asked to behave aggressive, lazy, and helpful respectively. Meanwhile the team members were told to make a dress for their leader out of paper where they could take help from their leaders if they want. 

The leaders were then told to join the group, where they behaved as told. In the end, the group with a helpful leader completed the task successfully. Then each group was asked to describe what went right or wrong, after which it was reviled the truth about their leaders.

Activities to understand how to- solve problems, think out of the box, take control of the situation, quick thinking, etcetera in order to make the children understand the skills be a good leader.

Ms. Mishal Dabre

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

Women's Day Celebration, Roshini Graha, Poinsur CCO - 10-3-16

 80 community women from Poinsur Community participated in the Women’s Day event organized on 10^th March by Roshani Graha CCO, Poinsur. A ‘Face to Face’ panel discussion was conducted with four empowered women- Mumtaz Kazi, first Asia’s woman diesel and locomotive engine driver, Annapurna Shetty, a blind woman, Pushpa Singh – a community woman and Priyanka Sharma a community youth. Ms.Clipsy Banji addressed the participants on the topic of “Gender Sensitization”.

The Information derived by putting questions related to the limitations faced during their struggle period from family, neighborhood and society was a source of inspiration motivating the participants to move towards empowerment. 

The confidence of Priyanka Sharma was further boosted by representation as a youth on such an event. Annpurna Shetty a blind women conveyed that if a handicapped person can achieve, others too can easily achieve. There is need for the elements of passion and desire for achievement by any other able person.

The Outcome of this Women’s Day was that after the sharing of experiences by the four empowered women which was a source of inspiration for other women, six women came forward expressing their interest to start an SHG and requested for assistance on vocational training for livelihood.

~ Ms. Mishal Dabre

Leadership in solving a community issue of Building Toilets - Poinsur

Roshani Grah CCO, Poinsur and Prayas Foundation has jointly started a Capacity building program for the Domestic workers to make them aware of their rights and empower themselves.

CSA staff Mishal Dabre conducted a Community mapping and leadership sessions with them. 

As part of the follow up of the capacity building one of the participants Ms.Selvi had taken an initiative to solve the Toilet issue in her community. 

She mobilized the community members and collected the entire information of toilet project. She clicked pictures of the existing toilets. Toilets were there but the condition was very bad just like a Dumping ground, hence people were badly affected. 

Nobody was ready to make a complaint against the Corporator and the BMC. She herself wrote an application and collected the signatures and formed a CBO. 

With the help of CCO staff Ms.Sushilla Pallicha, together they met the Corporator as well as concerned BMC officers. 

After the follow up and meetings, finally, the BMC started the renovation of the Toilets and now they built eight Toilets in that Community’s. 

Ms. Selvi had taken the right step of leadership to solve this issue in the community.