CENTRE FOR SOCIAL ACTION
ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BUILDING III
5 CONVENT STREET, COLABA – 400 001
TEL: 2021509 / 2022987
Email: osw@vsnl.net


DIRECTOR : FR. ROCKY BANZ

COORDINATOR : MS. VANESSA CORREA

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Centre for Social Action is a registered Trust which takes up development programmes in Mumbai, Raigad and parts of Thane district. It is covering an area of 17,309 sq. kms. The total population is 16,951,356 (Census of India 1991). Mumbai city and suburbs – 9,908,547: Thane dist. – 5,224, 679 and Raigad dist. – 1,818,130. Languages spoken here are Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Malyalam, Konkani, Bengali and Gujarati. Though Mumbai districts and parts of Thane district are urban areas, more than 50% of their population live in slums in sub-human conditions. Tribal, landless labourers and small marginal farmers predominantly habit the rural areas of Thane and Raigad districts.

VISION:
“To build a new social order based on values such as love, justice, equality and peace.”

MISSION:
“To restore the human dignity of the oppressed, the poor and the marginalised through a process of empowerment.”

ACTIVITIES:
• Service with a commitment to justice and peace.

• Promotion of social, economic and cultural enhancement in the society.

• Initiate empowerment of the poor and the marginalised through a process of animation.

• Give special attention to the marginalised groups like the urban poor, dalits, tribals, women and children in their struggle for freedom, dignity and equality.

• Support community based organisations at the parish and deanery levels.

• Conduct Capacity Building Programmes by way of workshops, seminars and training on various social issues.

• Create awareness and involving concerned citizens in developmental and disaster management work.

• Provide manuals, handouts on various social issues / concerns.

• Reach out to the families in distress.

• Work towards Disaster Management like

 Natural: - Floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones etc

 Man – made: - Communal riots, refugees, conflicts situation

 Other disasters: - Epidemics, fires, transport accidents.

• Encourage volunteers to work in reaching out to the less privileged.

• Work towards unity and solidarity among all sections of people.

The Centre for Social Action along with the Western Region Social Service Society has so far brought out the following three manuals.
1. ‘Credit Societies and Self Help Groups – A key to women’s empowerment’. Priced at – Rs. 30/-
2. ‘Innovative NGOs and Community Based Livelihood Programmes’. Priced at – Rs. 50/-
3. ‘Home Remedies and Medicinal Plants’. Priced at – Rs. 50/-

A scientific research study also has been conducted ‘To Review The Services
of Community Based Organisations And Non Government Organizations And
Assess The Qualitative Outcome Of Their Services On Women Beneficiaries
In Mumbai, Thane and Raigad’.

Profile of Community Centres that are coordinated by The Centre for Social Action

There are presently 53 Community Centres in the Archdiocese of Bombay. The aim of every community centre is to mould and build the Mahila Mandals into strong action & support groups wherein they are able to help themselves to take collective decision, demanding of their rights and taking up life issues.

The following Community Centres are supported by us:

Name & Address of the : Pragati Kendra
Community Centre C/o Sacred Heart Church
26 Sasmira Marg, Worli,
Mumbai – 400 025

Telephone No. : 4920005 (ext.) 30 /31

Director : Fr. Joseph Pereira

Coordinator : Sr. Luiza Fernandes

Activities
1. Mahila Mandal
Mahila Mandals – 12 of 12- 35 members in each.
Credit units – 12
Number of members – 300
Income generating activities such as catering, fish selling, garment selling, snacks, etc.

2. Legal Aid Cell
The following cases have been undertaken such as
• Encroachment
• Domestic Violence
• Dowry
• Rape, etc.

3. Housing Project
4. Medical Unit
Areas of Intervention
• Awareness
• Medical camps
• Medical assistance
• Referrals

5. Empowerment of Women Domestic Workers
• Regular meetings
• Organize training programs
• Create awareness about the current issues related to them.

Name & Address of the : Navjeet Community Health
Community Centre Centre
C/o Holy Family Hospital
At. Andrew’s Road
Bandra (West),
Mumbai – 400 050

Telephone No. : 642 3777 /1992

Director : Sr. Kusum

Objective of the Centre:
• Completion of Immunization
• Improvement of nutritional status in Mal-nourished children
• To bring about changes in health attitudes
• To train & equip health workers
• To organize self help groups

Activities of the Centre
1. Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) programme
The ECEC programme is being carried out in 4 centres in Bandra and Andheri area. There are a total of 113 children of which 53% are female.

2. School Programme

• For this programme 293 children have been enrolled.
• Twenty teachers and twenty-five volunteers have been involved.
Teachers Intervention
Regular meetings to plan year’s curriculum and events
Skill training for adolescents

3. Special Children
An appointed psychologist to look into the behaviour and emotional problems of the children
12 children were followed up for problems such as
• poor scholastic performance
• family conflicts
• panic attacks and depression

4. Street and Rag pickers
• 20 children have registered

Areas of Intervention
Substance and drug abuse problems
Weekly awareness inputs
Motivation
Saving and nutrition programs

5. Mahila Mandal
18 mahila mandals are present
A committee formed
Each member assigned with a task for the promotion and growth of the society.
Credit units – 18 with 480 members

6. Domestic Worker’s Movement
Part of the Mumbai Domestic Welfare Association
Regular interactions with the group
Problems discussed during the meetings

7. Youth
Areas of Intervention
Training programs on
• Communal harmony
• Communication skill
• AIDS awareness
• Career guidance
• Encouragement for dropouts – Open school
• Skill training – tailoring, beautician, typing, nursing assistants, computer course and driving cum mechanical course.

8. Tailoring Unit
• Supported by the Tata council for Community Initiatives (TCCI)
• Takes part in sales cum exhibitions
• Enables women to earn some income
• Various items on sale are cards, dolls, flowers, pickle and snacks.
• Also involved in crochet - earn Rs.50/-

9. Skill Training
• Flower preparation, chalk, candle, soap, agarbatti, typing, computer and beautician.
1. Health
• Awareness on herbal, yoga, medicines, AIDS, T.B.
• Medical check ups – on an average 200 patients per month
• Referred for specialty consultation
• Patients mainly women and children
• Major illness – respiratory infection
• Minor illness – skin problems, worms infestation

Name & Address of the : Sneha Kiran Community Centre
Community Centre C/o St. Joseph Church,
Station Road, Vikhroli (W),
Mumbai – 400 079

Telephone No. : 578 5272

Director : Fr. Gerald Fernandes

Co-ordinator : Mr. Mike D’Souza

Aims:
• The main role of the community centre is an enabling role, enabling lkfjdsiorne;lrwjroirqeur

Activities of the Centre
1. Legal Aid:
2. Community Celebrations: Haldi kum kum, Women’s day, Anand Mela
3. Environment Programme - collaboration with BMC officials
• Cleanliness of the surrounding areas such as garbage, water drains, etc.
4. Rationing issue:
• Network with Ration Kruti Samti to tackle issues
5. Ekta Mahila Mandals:
• At Present there are 40 members.
• takes up issues related to the community.
6. Marriage Bureau & counseling
7. Counseling for social and psychological problems like anti- drug and anti programs.
8. Self-Employment Scheme – Starting small-scale business – candle making, pickle making.
9. An Employment Bureau – contacting of various companies for job vacancies.

Name & Address of the : Jagruti Kendra
Community Centre C/o St. Jude’s Church
Mathurdas Vasanji Marg,
Jeri Meri, Mumbai – 400 072

Telephone No. : 851 1369

Director : Fr. Barthol Machado

Assist. Director : Sr. Chitra

Coordinator : Fr. Simon

Activities of the Centre:
1. Mahila Mandals –
• Registered body moving towards people’s organization.
• At present they have strength of 750 members.
2. Housing
• Influence the govt. either to stop demolition or to find an alternative method.
• Mobilising the people to fight for their rights and creation of credit housing co-operation.
3. Environment –
• programmes based on protection of nature –
• Networking with BMC resources and other NGOs
4. HIV / AIDS Project
• For women with special focus on pregnant women.
• It provides prevention programs, counseling and rehabilitation.
• another project on HIV / AIDS where the target group is migrant labourers and the main objective of this project is awareness, education and behaviour change.

5. Jagruti Mahila Mandal Credit Society
• At present there are 500 members
• Loan is given for self-employment, marriage, education, house repairs, sickness, etc.

6. Skill Training
• income generation programme such as chalk making, papad making, etc.

Name & Address of the : Asha Kiran
Community Centre C/o St. Anthony Church
Vakola, Santacruz(East)
Mumbai – 400 055

Telephone No. : 619 1370

Director : Fr. Louis Periera

Asst. Director : Sr. Kiran

Co-ordinator : Mr, Valerian

Activities of the Centre:
1. Mahila Mandal:
• 13 Mahila Mandals, working in several pockets of Vakola.
• The Executive Body forms the Mahila Council - once a month
• The inputs are shared amongst their own mahila mandal members.
2. Bal- Mandal:
• Targets children
• Aims to develop and utilize children’s talents to the fullest.
• Bal-mandals help children develop a particular mindset by making them aware of their possibilities of growth in the present day society.
3. Domestic Worker’s Group:
• Council group, which is given inputs
• And they in turn reach out to others in their respective groups.
• Work at the level of empowerment, implementation of the General Resolution (GR) as well as maintaining a follow up on the cases.
• Bureau of employment for domestics where names of domestics and employers are registered and
4. Youth Group:
• Process of moulding begins at Bal Mandals
• So working with this group is an easy accomplishment.
• Motivated to bring in freshers and influence their behaviour, values, beliefs by their own example.

5. Small Saving groups
• Organize into groups of 10 members to start saving.
• Contribution of Rs. 1000/- per person - to set up a rolling capital
• Disburse loans at an interest rate of 2%.
• Coordinating with the community development officer of the BMC

6. Skills Training with Marketing opportunities
• Implemented through the BMC.
• Given training in tailoring, bakery products and computers.
• A marketing platform - through an exhibition cum sale outlet.

Name & Address of the : Vimla Vikas Kendra
Community Centre Our Lady of Rosary Church
Dockyard Road, Mazagaon
Mumbai – 400 010

Telephone No. : 370 3183

Director : Sr. Olive Pinto

Objectives
• To bring awareness to women and children about their right to live as dignified humans and empower women and children
• To enable the women to stand collectively and work for the actualization of their rights.
• To identify others needs like nutrition, health, literacy, etc.

Activities Of the Centre:
1. Education
At present the Kendra has three balwadi centres at Dockyard Road, Reay Road and Wadi Bunder. Each Centre caters to 30 –40 children. Besides there are centres for non-formal education which are attended by 80 young people. Literacy classes are conducted for the women at Reay Road, Wadi Bunder and Chandra Bose Nagar.
2. Health, hygiene & Nutrition
health check-up every month.

Including training programs, rally’s, etc. on world AIDS day, breast-feeding day.
3. Referrals and Medical aid to patients

4. Women
The Centre provides income generation schemes, takes up health issues, identifies needs, forming/reviving Mahila Mandals, organizing women’s groups to facilitate in action their leadership qualities, saving groups, developing knowledge through relevant input session.
5. Youth & adolescent girls
It provides vocational training, education and training programs for the youth.
6. Housing
It provides the necessary assistance for housing materials.
7. Rationing
The centre looks in to issues pertaining to rationing & networks with the Ration Kruti Samati.

Name & Address of the : Jeevan Dhai Community Centre
Community Centre Our L. of Health Church Compound
Sahar, Mumbai – 400 099

Telephone No. : 832 6003

Director : Fr. Joe

Coordinator : Sr. Jacinta


Jeevan Dhai Community Centre began on January 2001 with people from the neighbouring slum areas. The present activities held in the community centre are:-

Activities:
1. Health Programme: Health awareness training programme to provide in sight about the preventive and curative measures that can be undertaken and routine medical check-up camps to improve the health condition of the people have been organised for this slum community.
2. Rationing Issue: Training the women about their rights to ration at a subsidy rate and the benefits that they can receive. Women’s leaders from the community tackle all issue pertaining to ration.
3. Domestic Workers Issue: Training given to domestic workers regarding their rights along with the duties. Regular classes Meetings are conducted along with their participation in various activities like rally, morcha etc.
4. Environment Programme: Network with BMC to see to the cleanliness of the surrounding areas. They also conduct cleanliness drives and also take up garbage issue to make the neighbouring people aware of the sanitation and hygiene conditions.
5. Community Celebration: Haldi kum kum, Women’s day
6. Mahila Mandals: At present there are about 15 Mahila Mandals which have initiated Bachat Ghat, skill training.
7. Skill Training: Tailoring classes have been started at the centre for women and girls to avail of it and hence equip themselves with some trade in hand.

Name & Address of the : Colaba Community Centre
Community Centre Holy Name Cathedral Office
5, Convent street, Fort
Mumbai – 400 001

Telephone No. : 202 0121

Director : Fr. Ivo D’souza

Coordinator : Ms. Mercy Mendonca

Activities
1) The Pre-school : Two Pre-school teacher are trained intensively with “Pratham” of the College of Social Work to undertake the Balwadis in a systematic way. We have now strength of 35 children in the batch.

2) Self Employment Training Scheme : Young school drop out girls and women have been trained by in tailoring and after their training, they have been initiated in taking up small orders of dress making. We have now three batches of 15 girls / women of slums who undergo this training (total 45).

3) Adult Education Classes : Through a trained teacher, we have two batches of these classes of 15 adults attending each batch. Besides teaching them the basics of 3 R’s other human / social / general knowledge topics are taken. Dialogue / discussion methodology is used in imparting education.

4) Mahila Mandals : They mahila mandals has already been initiated. Regular meetings of women groups are held where they discuss various issues connected to their social and civic life.

5) Special Classes for Domestic Workers : A batch of 20 domestic workers mostly tribals, working in Colaba area as full time workers are given special classes to help them to appear for the S.S.C under the Central Govt. Board. Besides the classes, they take up issues concerning their lives and work situation through the help of “SETU” a project of the College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan.

6) Women’s Issues : Issues related to women have taken up by the Social Worker with the help ‘Sakhya’ a NGO, based in the College of Social Work.

7) Counselling : Issues are taken up with the concerned parties like husband / in - laws / employer etc. To rectify the mistakes and help women to ascertain their rights.

9) General Health Awareness programme : Focus is on Community Health and issues like cleanliness, balanced diet, immunization, AIDS, etc. has been taken regularly. Health camps are held regularly.

10) Networking : The Colaba Community Centre is an active member of the Federation of the Community Centre Organisation of the Archdiocese and at the federation level various activities are undertaken and the Centre joins on certain issues. Besides that, it also networks with other NGO’s of Mumbai i.e., Vasundhara, Sakhya, Setu, Justice and Peace Commission, Save our sisters, Family Service Centre, Cancer Patients Aid Association and other Community Centres etc. depending upon the issues.

13) Training Programmes: Various awareness Training programs are organised to give the people of the community insight into various issues on Health, life issues, Community issues, leadership, etc.

Name & Address of the : Korlai Community Centre
Community Centre Mount Carmel Church
Korlai, Murud, Dt. Raigad

Telephone No. : 952144-84135

Director : Fr. Vincent

Coordinator : Sr. Arathi

Activities

The centre has been organising various activities like mahila mandal, balwadies, income generating schemes like candle making, chalk making, mushroom cultivation training, computer classes etc. in order to help them to continue the activities effectively. They have employed a community development worker who will be taking care of the activities.

Name & Address of the : Human P.E.A.C.E(People
Community Centre Expressing A Concern for
Everyone)

Telephone No. : 3714266

Coordinator : Mr. Gene D’silva

Activities:

Balwadies:
At present 2 balwadi batches are going on from 1.00 –3.00 pm and from 3.30 – 5.30 pm in each area. Each batch has about 25-30 children. The children are trained through creative educational method (play-method) to equip them to join normal school. Regular meeting with parents are conducted once a month. The Medium of instruction is Hindi.


Non Formal Education (N.F.E.):
At present there are 2 NFE batches of 15 members each. These classes gives an opportunity for not only the dropouts but also those who have not even gone to school due to some reason.

HIV Positive People
Besides counseling and medical assistance they are also provided with ration, school fees, clothes, and plastic sheets for the roof, etc. 35 families are being supported.

House Repairs
Those houses which are in dilapidated conditions and unsafe to be shelter in are taken up for reconstruction. Quarter of the amount is contributed by the owners and the balance by the organisation.

Emergency / Medical Cases
Those who are not in a position to contribute the amount mentioned by the doctor for the treatment is helped by the organisation.

Name & Address of the : Mukti Kendra
Community Centre (Social Welfare Centre)
Our Lady Of Fatima Church
Majiwada Village,
Thane – 400 601

Telephone No. : 534 5115

Director : Sr. Shaila M

Activities:
Mahila Mandal: At present there are 2 Mahila Mandals of about 150 members. The Mahila Mandals meet every 12th of the Month to discuss issues and topics that affect their lives.

Credit union: Saha Jivan Mahila Cooperative Society was initiated it on 1st August 2001 and they have 475 members who are taking loans for various purposes like small-scale business, education, etc. They simultaneously repay the loans in installments with the 2% interest.

Income generating Schemes: A group of 12 women are involved in income generating activities like phenyl, surf, Colgate powder, Liquid soap, etc. They take orders and share the profit among themselves.

Training programmes: The centre organises a number of training programs for the women on various topics like health, leadership, income generation, awareness etc.

Name & Address of the : Sneha Sagar Society
Community Centre 6/C23, Priyadarshani Hsg. Society Pvt. Ltd.,
S.V.P. Nagar, Mhada Colony,
Andheri (W), Mumbai–400 053

Telephone No. : 6352013

Director : Ms. Martha Mandal

Objectives
• To provide Physical care and emotional support to the women & children
• To provide food, clothing, education, medical attention
• To create a secure environment where they feel comfortable, loved and cared
• To enable the women to handle the situation and build her capacities through various training programs.
• To provide professional counselling to help them deal with specific problems.
• To create a New world where there is no caste, creed, race, religion but only humanitarianship.

ACTIVITIES:
Mahila Mandal
Women are provided with Literacy and social Awareness to achieve self-realisation and self-support, community health and wealth liberation and rehabilitation. Empowering and encouraging women to be self reliant and confident to handle situations pertaining to their lives.

Balwadi (learning classes for non-schooling children):
These classes are conducted for the deprived children from three years of age from 10.30 am to 12.30 afternoon in Hindi & Marathi. Children are provided with books & slates. Besides they are served milk & biscuits everyday.

Remedial Classes
Special tution classes are conducted free of cost for underprivileged children who fair badly in school due to poverty at home. In addition to it, adult education classes are conducted for school dropouts and those who cannot attend school, as they have to help parents in earning their daily livelihood.

Tailoring classes for Women
This project is intended to provide women with income – generating knowledge and skills as well as to provide them with non-formal education in the areas of child-care and family life, health and hygiene, human rights and women’s empowerment, etc.

Young boys and Girls
Those adolescents, who have a great motivation to study, but struggle to do so due to lack of means & resources. They intend to start our own boarding school for such children or place them in existing ones.

The Aged and the Homeless
Ration is given to about 15 helpless aged people.

Shelter
A shelter is provided for women and girls who are often victims of exploitation, including sexual. For such cases we rehabilitate the girl and provide the necessary assistance.
who are in a crisis and need immediate attention and who are desperately looking for shelter.

Name & Address of the : Institute of Social Service
Community Centre

Telephone No. : 95-2194-50358

Director : Sr. Rena Rodricks

Activities:
1. Non-Formal Education
Tribal children from the age of 3 to 6 years benefited from eleven Balwadis. There are 135 children attending the Balwadis. They also have 12 supplementary classes and there are 214 children out of which 147 children are enrolled in the Zilla Parishad schools.
1. Nutrition Programme
The centre monitors the nutrition provided by the ICDS & P.H.Cs provide health care & pulse polio Immunization which is held in each wadi.
2. Women
Through out the year many activities are conducted in order to enable tribal women to gain more self-dignity & self worth. At the village level sessions on different issues are conducted such as Panchayati Raj & specially women’s role & participation in it, family life education, women’s role in the family, in the society, information on govt. schemes, etc.
3. Adult Literacy classes
Literacy classes are held for women at night in one of the village. About 10 women have benefited from the classes.
4. Youth
Various sessions on different issues are conducted such as gutka, gambling, gram sabha, village unity, personality development, family life education & information on govt. schemes were provided. Ten people received caste certificates. They are also provided with vocational classes such as tailoring, etc.
5. Health
Through out the year the centre makes and effort to create basic health awareness, to promote herbal medicine & has worked towards prevention of common ailments. Various sessions on nutrition, health & hygiene, herbal medicine, balance diet, care during pregnancy, personal & community hygiene & family life education is conducted. The village health worker conducts training programmes at different villages.
6. Bachat Gats for women, youth and children
Women – 8 bachat groups of 90 women
Youth – 5 bachat groups from among the 15 villages that the centre works with.
Children – 95 children are members of the saving group.

Name & Address of the : St. Catherine’s Home
Community Centre C/o Laxmi Enterprises, 108 Gokhle Building
Birwadi, Mahad – 402 302
Dt. Raiga, Maharashtra

Telephone No. : 95-2145-50177

Director : Sr. Udaya Chiramal

Activities
1. Mahila Mandal
About 300 women are members of the mahila mandal. The mahila mandal leaders take initiative in planning & organizing programs.
2. Health
The centre undertakes health issues in the villages and encourages and provides training in home remedies.
3. Bachat ghats
Women have formed bachat ghats and are learning the purpose to save, which ultimately benefits them.
4. Issues
Resolving issues on aspects of health, superstitious beliefs, family conflicts, legal guidance, housing, water, ration, alcoholism, etc.
5. Employment Bureau
It provides employment opportunities to the unemployed.
6. Youth
On going training is given on HIV / AIDS, major other diseases & illnesses, youth mela, vocational training programs, capacity building programs, etc.
7. Women
Various training programmes are given on self-development, health awareness, mother and child health care & education, awareness on income generation, information about various schemes, etc.
 

© 2002 Western Region Social Service Forum - WRSSF.  All rights reserved