The annual Capacity Enhancement Programme for 36 Sisters involved in social ministry in Bangalore, Mangalore, Western, Southern Provinces and Central Delegation, was held at Bethany Provincialate Bangalore on 25 and 26 September 2023. Sr Shanti Priya BS, the Asst Superior General and the General Coordinator of Socio-Medical and Pastoral apostolate of the Congregation made it a point to review and update the sisters on current trends of Micro Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Skill Development.
The CEP was inaugurated by lighting the Diya. Sr Shanti Priya in her keynote address expounded in the words of Pope Francis “I invite the whole church to turn their faces to the poor’’. As long as the service for the poor exists, Bethany will flourish. It may be a hidden service but certainly Bethany will bear fruit in plenty. She appreciated the sisters for their involvement in realising the priority issues of XVI General Chapter and working systematically towards the cause of anti-human trafficking and promoting safe migration, upholding dignity of women and organizing the target groups and training them in skills thus enhancing their livelihood. Focussing on the strategies of social action she invited the sisters to be actively involved in ‘need appraisal, situational analysis, employing development strategies, to use the tools of social advocacy through campaign, lobby and network with other like-minded NGOs and champion the causes of the poor individually and collectively. She highly appreciated the systematic community-based action plans that were diligently carried out by the different Centres.
Mr Felix D’Souza, CEO FVTRS enlightened the participants on ‘Entrepreneurship and skill development, Value chain and marketing and Collective Enterprise. Citing the success stories of FVTRS and CSR, he said with skill training and entrepreneurship women have become economically stable, rebuilt their images and some of them excel in entrepreneurship.
Participatory method and through a rapid analysis method, skills are provided to women. While talking on the marketing strategies, he spoke on cloud kitchen concept, website, networking. Few tips were shared with regard to obtaining CSR funds.
Fr. Richard Pais the Director of Karnataka Regional organization for Social Service (KROSS) and Mr. Chinnappa Programme Coordinator SAMRUDI dealt elaborately on the topic - Women in Micro Enterprise, a model -Sustainability of Women Enterprises. Members were channelised to use of EDP and EAP in order to make women grow collectively and individually thus increase their standard economically and socially. The concept ‘hands 2home’ –a digital marketing platform was explained.
Sr Sahana BS the Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province being the host province, welcomed all the sisters and each one was inspired by their spirit of hospitality, unity and generosity. The Province Coordinators took active responsibility to present the reports of their respective provinces and identified their ‘core competences’. Indeed, it was a wonderful experience to share and care, learn and rejuvenate the spirit, to be an effective leaven in the society. With a deep sense of joy and greater enthusiasm moved forward to be with the poor and to represent God to the poor.
News By: Sr Mariola BS & Sr Tresa Lidya BS