Historical visit of Archbishop Thomas Macwan to Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh

On 5^th July 2019, His Grace Archbishop Thomas Macwan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Gandhinagar and President of Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh visited the social work office and met the staff. The day began with the First Friday Eucharist and later on with staff meeting. Each team of the project prepared a power point presentation and presented to the Archbishop and the staff. Archbishop was very much impressed with the good works our staff does, with the help of our fathers and sisters in the rural mission stations. We are grateful to Fr. Salvador Fernandes for his tireless service for the last nine years. We thank our fathers and sisters who take this work forward to the needy and the vulnerable in the society. We look forward to the continued support of our fathers and sisters to reach out to the grass root.

Staff development training programmes at Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh in August

Month of August was one of training progammes at Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh. The monthly staff meeting was the way to present the achievements of the staff in their respective projects. The Social wing of the Archdiocese has resolved to mainstream persons with disabilities or differently abled. Keeping this focus in mind, all the staff together with Srs. Selvi, Geeta participated in three days seminar at Jivan Vikas Kendra, Pethapur. Mr. Kempaiah and Mr. Kabui came from Collective action for Basic Rights Foundation, Bangalore to help the staff to understand various kinds of disabilities and motivated everyone to work for the welfare of persons with disabilities. Thereafter, Mr. Joseph Fonseca and Mr. Nirmal Minj came from Caritas India for Account and Finance management training programme. Mr. Joseph helped the staff to learn tally. Staff began using their knowledge practically on the spot. Then Ms. Steffi Jose and Fr. Sajish came from Western Region Social Service Forum, Mumbai and helped the staff to know and understand Social Teaching of the Catholic Church which guides the social work in the Church and in the Archdiocese. Many expressed that how the Church is human and touching the lives of the vulnerable and bringing meaning to the lives of the people.

Annual General Body Meeting of Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh

Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh, Archdiocesan Social service wing had its Annual General Body Meeting on 29^th August 2019 at 4 pm in the presence of the President, His Grace Archbishop Thomas Macwan and fathers and sisters at Archbishop’s house, Pethapur, Gandhinagar. The meeting was well attended by the members and Archbishop appreciated everyone for their presence. He expressed his gratitude to Fr. Salvador Fernandes for his long years of service in the social field. Thereafter the staff of SSSS presented their works and activities of each project to the Body and thus brought clarity of social work in the Archdiocese. His Grace Archbishop released the Annual Report of SSSS for 2018-2019 and distributed copies to each member. After going through the agenda, Archbishop expressed his concern over ecology, abortion and cancer in Gujarat and urged everyone to act upon. Fr. Xavier James expressed his thankfulness to all members and the partners. All Glory to God.

Field visit of SSSS Director with the Coordinators of various projects

The newly appointed Director of Sabarmati Samruddhi Seva Sangh, Fr. Xavier James after meeting the staff and acquiring enough knowledge of the system, went for field visits to different centers to meet the operating partners and animators. He began his visit from Siddhpur then going to Khiloda, Mandali, Kadi, Mehsana, Deesa, Radhanpur, Bhiloda, Nanakantharia and Meghraj along with project coordinators. As it was the first visit to various centers and parishes, Director listened to the diversed concerns of the animators and persons in charge of the project at the centre. He encourged them for the good work they do to reach out to the marginalized in the society. He also enlightned them with some facts regarding hunger, malnutrition in our country.

Legal aid & Situation analysis seminar for SSSS staff

On 23^rd September 2019, SSSS staff was given training on Legal Aid by two advocates Mr. Dhurgeshbhai & Mr. Sudhirbhai. They dwelt on JJ Act and POCSO Act. Later, Fr. Xavier James helped the staff to identify the problems and issues in the society through situation analysis. These trainings were well participated by the staff as they are very important to their profession.

Training Programmes for Women of the Archdiocese at SSSS

On 28^th September 2019, the women of cooperative societies of the Archdiocese gathered at JVK, Pethapur for account training programme. Mr. Isudas Vaghela was the resource person who helped the women of the 10 cooperatives of the Archdiocese to practically write and keep up the accounts in their respective cooperative societies. They were encouraged by Fr. Xavier James, Mr. Vaibhav, Mr. Jaifin. Mr. Nitin helped them to gather data of the women with disabilities in their villages in order to bring them to mainstream of their work.

On 30^th September 2019, Village health workers and animators of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar had assembled at JVK, Pethapur for their review and planning of health programmes in their respective villages. Fr. Xavier James, Ms. Sharmila, Mr. Anil helped them to understand different aspects of health and hygiene which the animators will in turn teach other women in their villages. They were given some tips to identify cancer and be on guard at the early stage. Mr. Nitin helped the women to collect data of persons with disabilities so as to include them in the health work of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar.  

Archdiocesan Girl Child day celebration

Keeping the nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in mind, Archdiocese of Gandhinagar celebrated Girl Child day on 1^st September 2019. 164 girls along with Religious sisters had gathered at Jeevan Vikas Kendra, Pethapur. After their formal welcome and refreshment, all participated in the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by His Grace Archbishop Thomas Macwan. Thereafter the day’s programme began with lighting of the lamp and skits, information about health and hygiene, empowerment, child help line 1098 etc. After the lunch, each parish girls came up to the stage with their creative programmes with the message that ‘empowered girl brings bright future’. All the participants enjoyed their togetherness. Towards the end of the programme each girl was given a plant to take care of it and grow it so as to show their responsibility with regard to the environment. Each parish center was also given the same. Archdiocese of Gandhinagar is grateful to women’s desk Srs. Nila, Nirmala, Vincy and the SSSS staff for making this day a memorable one for the girls of the Archdiocese.    

Manos Unidas officials visit the Archdiocese

From 11^th to 14^th October 2019, Manos Unidas officials Ana Carcamo and Chiqui Bebido visited SSSS and Archdiocese of Gandhinagar to see the developmental works in the Archdiocese. As they arrived they met the staff of SSSS and the staff presented them the activities which are done in the area of health, empowerment, livelihood, rehabilitation, child care, care for persons with disabilities etc. They were very happy and obtained clarity of our activities. They met Our Archbishop Thomas and Archbishop thanked them for their generosity and support to the Archdiocese. Next day they visited Nana Kantharia mission and met all the health workers, animators and sisters Sangita, Ila, Shanti, Jackline from Nana Kantharia, Khiloda, Bhiloda, Meghraj. There after they visited Ramela village interacted with the women. Thereafter they visited Dabeli village in Palanpur parish. They met the village people and interacted with them. They also met Frs. Salvadore, Isidore, Julian and Sr. Aruna.

Then they went to Mehsana met Sr. Nirmala and interacted with the women and proceeded to Mandali where they spent quality time with women. Thereafter they went to Kalol to meet Fr. Raju and Sr. Vincy. Fr. Raju had arranged a felicitation for them. The culmination of their visit was with the birthday celebration His Grace Archbishop Thomas. They left the Archdiocese with good memories. They are indeed happy to help us.   

Capacity Building for SSSS staff

SSSS staff had capacity building seminar by Fr. Joseph Appavoo at Pastoral Centre, Nadiad on 9^th October 2019. The staff was eager to learn new things and approach new people for funding and so Fr. Appavoo was so kind enough to take a half day’s session which energized the staff as he is an expert in the field of Social work. Staff was also glad to meet Rt. Rev. Retnaswamy, Bishop of Ahmedabad. The staff also paid a short visit to Anand press to understand the process of printing and management. Everyone returned with joy and much knowledge to do their work professionally well.