WORKSHOP ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

by BIS correspondent

MATUNGA-MUMBAI, JULY 22, 2013: Don Bosco Development Society organized a two day workshop on Entrepreneurship Development for the SHG leaders from the slum Communities on 10th and 11th July 2013. 43 women attended the workshop. The aim of the workshop was to introduce the women in SHGs to the concept of micro entrepreneurship.
     

The workshop was addressed by 5 speakers who spoke on 5 different topics. In her opening speech Ms.Surekha Pednekar, Co-coordinator of DBDS said that Economic empowerment of women is one of the main objectives in development intervention and that DBDS regularly organizes such workshops for women to help them improve their economic status. There are many women who want to start a small business or who are running a small business and want to expand it. This programme is basically designed to help them.

Mr.Pradeep Moon, Dy.Director, Central Board for Workers Education, took up the topic "qualities of entrepreneurs". His session focused on motivating women and in analysing the role played by women. He gave various examples how women look down upon themselves and accept themselves as powerless and useless and that is why they are ill-treated. He gave examples of women and their businesses and explained how they became successful in their lives.
                  

Mr.Royal, Co-ordinator, Don Bosco Kurla, spoke about "knowledge and attitude for business" His session focused on the importance of knowledge, attitude and skill in business. He took the example of the wise woodcutter, who would sharpen his axe before cutting a tree and thereby taking less time and cutting more trees. This is one of the ways of increasing the efficiency. He also emphasized on the importance of positive attitude in running a business.  
     

Mr.Mahesh Kumar, Programme Manager, DBDS shared "case studies in micro businesses". His session focused on various case studies of micro entrepreneurs from Pune. He started with the availability of huge opportunity at the bottom of pyramid for sustainability of micro businesses. He presented the stories of various SHG micro entrepreneurs who started as a novice and then how they eventually built their businesses.
       

Ms.Ranjana Jahav Trainer-Project Mainstream took a session on the business of paper bags and envelops. She taught those present, how to make paper bags and envelops. She also taught how this can be developed into a business which can be easily run from home.
   

Ms.Chetana Rasam, Freelance Trainer, taught the skill in making jewellery items. She also presented various designs which are in great demand in the market. The participants were divided into 6 groups and she practically taught the participants how to make a pearl bangle. Jewellery making is an evergreen industry and well suited for women. A housewife can also take up this as an income generation activity along with their household responsibilities and earn a good income every month. 
    

The 2 day training programme focused not only on imparting income generation skills in paper bag, envelope making and jewellery making but also on imparting business management skills to women. The programme was very much liked by women and many of them got idea of starting a small business and promised to start one.

DON BOSCO BALPRAFULTA ANNUAL DAY

By: BIS Correspondent
ANDHERI-MUMBAI, APRIL 29, 2013:  April 20, 2013 was a special day in Don Bosco Balprafulta as it was ‘ Annual Thanksgiving day’.  Several NGO’s represented by their staff and a few stake holders, who assist Don Bosco Balprafulta whilst working on Child Rights participated.

The Annual Day began with the welcome address given by the Rector of Dominic Savio. Rev. Father. Godfrey D’souza, who welcomed the gathering and appreciated the efforts put in by the team members. The day’s Programme was well synchronized with a mix of children’s dance and skit performances based on the theme of Street children which gave much food for thought.

The program next in line was the annual report presentation which traced the various activities taken up by the organization; next was a short movie presentation made by the staff of Don Bosco Balprafulta, on the Theme of the Annual Day “ Street Child whose responsibility?”   This was followed by The Chief Guest Sir. D. Tripathi, Secretary of Maharashtra State commission for protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) a Gandhian who spoke elaborately on the growing phenomenon of slum   children on streets and a Gandhian philosophical approach for addressing the problem.

To highlight the annual Day; was a public debate on the current trends and challenges and way ahead of street children.  This was preceded by Don Bosco Research Centre presenting the major findings of the Rapid Assessment Study (RAS) in Mumbai, study on home placement and study on drug addiction in collaboration with National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Important trends such as slum spill over to the streets, prevalence patterns and measures recommendations in each of these studies were highlighted. The program continued with a panel discussion; the panellists comprised of –
Mrs Mrinalini Kher Hon. Secretary and Trustee of Kherwadi Social Welfare Association and co-founder of Yuva Parivartan spoke about Changing Face of Street Children in Mumbai.
Ms. Sunita Mhaiskar Assistant Labour Commissioner – Mumbai and Head of Child Labour Cell spoke on Prevalence of Child Labour among street children.
Dr. Sunita Shanbag Head of PSM Department – KEM Hospital spoke about the Health and Psycho-social Trauma of Street Children.
Dr. Deepa Bhanushali Administrative Officer Education Department - M-Ward spoke about Street children and their educational challenges.

The debate had an interesting insights and presentation. The audience was well animated and raised many important questions which were well ably handled by the panelists. In conclusion the Chairperson of the debate Rev. Fr. Barnabe D’Souza in his conclusion remarked mentioned that the responsibility to advocate for Child rights with regard to street child lies in the hands of each individual rather than the Govt. or society   The programme was concluded with the Vote of Thanks given by Sr. Jacinta the Asst. Director of Don Bosco Balprafulta. The programme came to a close with a sumptuous tea and snacks.