Sr. Teresa Joseph fma –
Have you ever thought that social works can be paths of hope and generativity? Read on to get a grasp of how it all happens in the grassroots and margins of our society. You are into the story of how the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco of the Bombay Province, network with a host of people in the four states of Goa, Gujarat, a part of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Dadra and in Sindoni – Dadra & Nagar Haveli, a district of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in western India.
To empower rural woman
A quick Google search informed that to empower means: to give someone the authority or power to do something, to make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. Well, 06 April 20025 was indeed a great day that showcased how 350 women are equipped, enabled and given the power to move ahead with self-confidence and spirit of daring. They were warmly welcomed to Auxilium Convent, Wadala, by 150 volunteers, youngsters and Sisters.
Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Ever since 2003, in the province of Bombay, the Self-Help Group (SHG) was launched to empower rural and slum women. There were seminars and number of sessions across the province for Sisters and Lay People. It was planned and organized by Sr. Aruna Castelino fma and her team with The Mysore Rehabilitation and development Agency (MYRADA). The Myrada Experience — a Manual for capacity building of self-help affinity groups did offer the participants knowledge, information and hands on experience. From information on Myrada to analysing gender relations in the family and community the manual deals with a variety of topics such as a structural analysis of society, analysis of local credit sources, building a vision, linkage with other institutions, building credit linkages etc.
By now, over 80,000 women are trained and they in turn continue to train others. These groups are linked with banks for savings and credit thus enhancing the financial stability of women. A good number of women have initiated their own small businesses, advanced entrepreneurial skills and today, they are trainers of trainees, motivating self and others. It is this process of formation that opens the path towards transformation in their families and communities leading to social transformation in their villages and society at large.
A Cooperative Bank in Dakor- Gujarat
Amazingly in 2011, the Salesian Sisters and the Women succeeded to start a Cooperative Bank in Dakor – Ahmedabad Diocese. This was the beginning of financial independence for women not only of the SHG network but also those outside it.
The bank:
- Provides financial independence and decision-making power to women.
- Offers affordable loans for small businesses, SHGs, and women entrepreneurs.
- Helps women to avoid reliance on moneylenders who charge high interest rates.
- Assists women in building a credit history, enabling access to greater financial opportunities in the future.
Other significant initiatives carried out are: Children’s Education Support Program (Since 1998), Farmers’ Club (Since 2022), Young at Risk (YaR) Shelter Homes (Since 1995), Neighbourhood Children’s Parliament (NCP) (Since 2010), Migrant Ministry and Human Trafficking Awareness (Since 2020). Promoting Volunteerism: Women, children, and youth volunteer for our education support programs, activities, and Women’s Day celebrations across all our centers. 30 volunteers are collaborating with Sahayini, the province development office.
The Mega Women’s Day Celebration
It was truly a feast to the heart to welcome Bus load of women from Bableshwar, Velim, Nandgad, Pansora, Dakor, Khedpa, Ahmednagar, Kune. All dressed up for the occasion. The theme: Woman: Ray of Hope was spelt out in various ways. It was a day of inspiration, reflection and celebration as we honoured the invaluable Role of Women as Rays of Hope in Society.
Sr. Meenakshi D’Silva, Provincial of Bombay Province and our Chief Guest expressed great joy. She was extremely happy to see such a big gathering of women. In her message, she encouraged the participants to give importance to education, not only of their sons and daughters but also of their own selves. Every woman should be proud and happy to learn to read and write said Sr. D’Silva.
Anita Vitthal Ithubone, Asst. Police Inspector stepped up as Mrs. Meenakshi Rane, Vice Principal of Police Training School Marol, Mumbai, was unable to be the Guest of Honour, as she lost her brother on the same day. Anita, a highly qualified (BSc, MSW, LLM, SET) woman in harmony with her spirit spoke like a flowing river. She gave a very powerful message highlighting the importance of education of girls to make them stand on their feet. Anita’s WhatsApp message offers yet another possibility to capture the spirit that characterized the celebration: “Dear Manisha Sister, Thank you very much for organizing such a beautiful and spectacular event with great effort and for inviting me!”
Conclusion
The sister coordinators of the Social Development Sectors of each community, under the able guidance of Sr. Manisha Parmar, Social development Office Coordinator (SDC) and National Coordinator for Youth at Risk, saw to the finest details of the Celebration.
All the women participants were coming from interior villages. Slowly they are getting liberated from all that turns them down: especially the traditional and cultural barriers. As the women took the stage, at every moment there was plenty of love and laughter. Success stories packed with hope, dances, skits, fun and laughter were all knit together into a triumphant symphony.
A short interview with Sr. Manisha Parmar, did reveal the secret that led the Women’s Day Celebration to be an exceptional one. Sr. Manisha, what would you like to remember about women’s day 2025? The very challenging online meetings that helped everyone to
collaborate and plan well. The Sister coordinators and the Lay collaborators joined the meeting with social workers from each centre. Team work was our priority. We were determined to facilitate in such a way that everyone could give their 100 percentage. Along with this, there was delegation of tasks and allowing freedom to accomplish what is entrusted to each one.
I was amazed continued Sr. Parmar, on the day of the celebration, to see the smile and enthusiasm on everyone’s face. It was undeniably a multicultural. Inter-religious and inter-faith celebration.
Sr. Manisha, what is your dream for the years to come? Our women have grown at all levels. A sustainable approach is the key perspective for the future. It is essential to develop long-term sustainability plans for the areas in which we work to ensure continued impact and growth. My dream is that we become a vast movement of women force. Women transforming their own family, the locality in which they live and gradually the world at large.
“Women are the real architects of society” opines Harriet Beecher. At this moment in human history, which appears excessively focused on power and wealth; we need heroines to design, to inspire and to lead. On 06 April 2025, we interacted with heroines who today are architects of society, who have experienced some of the levers of resilience and of commitment. Heroines who have given themselves to the cause of humanitarian work and have found purpose and meaning in their commitment. These exemplary women are inspired by their faith, sustained by their spiritual practices and reorganize each day with hope. Yes it is truly so. Oh today, these women themselves are so empowered that they in turn give the go-ahead/ the green light and the thumbs up to other men, women and children as they journey together with renewed hope.
Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph fma is a Salesian Sister of the Bombay Province, India, who holds a Master’s degree in Science of Education with specialization in Catechetics from Pontificia Facoltà Auxilium, Rome and a PhD. in Missiology with specialization in Inter-religious studies from the Gregorian University, Rome. Teresa has authored and co-authored several books and contributed numerous articles for various journals in India and abroad. She was one of the 20 panellists on the Global Sisters Report Panel, ‘The Life.’
