SSSS Activity Report for March 2024

 Caritas-Misereor Meeting in the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar

From 5^th to 7^th March 2024, Caritas-Misereor project development meeting took place at Pethapur in the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar. SSSS has implemented Sanjivini project in 10 villages of Danta taluka in Banaskantha district for the past 3 years and this month it is coming to completion. Caritas-Misereor invited Baroda, Gandhinagar, Indore and Rajkot dioceses to write proposals to further the good works in some more villages. Thus, Gandhinagar has proposed 15 villages in Aravalli district besides 10 villages of Danta. This proposal is to encourage women, to bring them to the forefront, and to promote more women in governance. Along with Father Directors, Out Reach Workers, Community Educators from 4 dioceses Dr. Saju, Mr. Melwin, Mr. Nirmal were present and helped the partners during three days meeting cum workshop.

 

Archdiocesan Women’s day celebration

On 8^th March 2024, International Women’s day was celebrated at the Archdiocesan level. 250 women from all over the Archdiocese came together and participated with great joy. His Grace Archbishop Thomas Macwan presided over the Holy Eucharist and prayed for every woman of the Archdiocese. His Grace Archbishop awarded the women who helped various parishes. Ms. Induben Rao was the resource person this year who with her long years of encouraging women helped them to come to the forefront to lead society and nation as they do in the family with much humility. The women performed beautiful cultural programme. The day ended with Garba and agape meal. Thanks to Sr. Nila and other sisters who supported the women. Thanks to all the Parish Priests who came and supported the women. Thanks to Archbishop for taking care of the expenses. Thanks to SSSS staff for all arrangement.

 

Manos Unidas visit to Archdiocese of Gandhinagar

Manos Unidas officials Ms. Ana Carcamo & Ms. Chiqui Cabido visited the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar on 9^th & 10^th March 2024. On 9^th Saturday together with SSSS Director and staff they visited Khiloda, Pahadiya, Nanakantharia where vocational training on tailoring and embroidery takes place. They met the women, sisters who help Sangath Shikshan project. They also checked all the documents and interacted with those who completed the trainings about their future plans. They were so pleased to see the products which the women had made. The women were very grateful to Ana, Chiqui and Manos Unidas for helping them to acquire skills through these trainings and stand on their own feet in terms of financial independence. Thereafter they had an official meeting with the Archbishop.

 

On 10^th, Sunday Ana & Chiqui were accompanied by SSSS staff and Director to visit the families of specially abled children and adult at Vasan, Unava, Borij, Pethapur. They interacted with them in order to begin a programme among them. Thereafter they met the CHANGE II Community Educators from Banaskantha at SSSS office and were glad to hear their success stories and good practices in the villages of Banaskantha. They also checked the documents of the Community Educators. Thereafter SSSS staff presented all their works around the Archdiocese then checked all the documents and accounts of SSSS. They were very glad to see and witness the progress of the projects with the hard work of SSSS. They met a group of adults who are specially abled. With rich memories they left the Archdiocese on Monday.

 

Women’s day celebration at CRPF Church

On 10^th March 2024, CRPF Church, Gandhinagar had celebrated International women’s day. Special prayers were offered for the women of the parish who are very active. After the Holy Eucharist, each one was given a gift and they all cut cake together. All the parishioners participated in Agape meal at the end, which was prepared by the women themselves. There is much joy in Sharing, this is the experience of the faithful at CRPF Church.

 

SSSS visit to Banaskantha district

On 12^th & 13^th March 2024, SSSS Director and Staff visited Chicken vas, Pedcholi, Bhamariya villages of Amirgadh block, Vakvada, Varan of Lakhni Block and Zerada of Deesa block in Banaskantha district. In all these villages, the Community Educators conducted several trainings on government schemes, nutrition food, kitchen garden, preservation of organic seeds. Although the women were engaged in harvesting wheat still many were present for trainings as these trainings do much good to them. Kudos to SSSS staff and Community Educators for their dedication!

SSSS visit to Danta villages

On 19^th March 2024, SSSS Director and Staff visited interior villages on the mountains of Aravalli such as Chorivav, Shiyawada, Dabavalivav, Devaliyavalivav of Danta block in Banaskantha district. In each village, more than 40 men and women had gathered to listen to the Community Educators and the staff. They enlightened the people with health topics and government schemes. Fr. Xavier James encouraged the people to have all the documents with them and the staff is always ready to help the people so that people can avail the government schemes with proper documentation.