March 16 2017: Sahodaya Bethany Seva Kendra in collaboration with the Sahodaya Bethany Mahila Okkutta , Bendur, Mangalore celebrated the International Women’s Day on 16th Sunday 2017 at Sahodaya Hall, Bethany, Bendur. The programme commenced with a prayer song led by the members of the Sahodaya Mahila Okkoota. Sr Michelle BS, the Coordinator of Sahodaya, welcomed the President Sr Lillis BS, Asst Superior General and Vice President of the Bethany Social Service Trust (R), chief guests Ms Mavis Rodrigues, the president of the Co-Operative Society and Managing Director of Social organization “Your Future”, who inaugurated the women’s day. Addressing the participants she said, “Women have the power given by God. We need to explore and make use of the integrated development of oneself, others and society. She exhorted to grab the opportunity and never to leave it because there is so much you as women can do.
Sr Nisha FSM, the Karnataka State Coordinator of Akhila Karnataka Domestic Workers Trade Union along with Sr Shanthi FSM, the programme Coordinator, Br Jason, the Asst Coordinator Sr Virginia the Staff, along with their team – Mrs Jayamma the State President of Akhila Karnataka Domestic Workers Trade Union, Bengaluru, Mrs Lalitha, the secretary Mrs Nagamma, the Treasurer of Akhila Karnataka Domestic Workers Trade Union were the resource persons of the day.
Through a street- play they depicted the present situation of the domestic workers and the various challenges they face in their work places. After which Sr Shanthi, the programme Coordinator, highlighted the “Need of organizing the domestic workers, challenges involved and the government facilities available to make them more safe in their working places. Women from various self help groups exhibited their talents through their dance and drama. Sr.Lillis the President and Sr Leena Pereira, the Superior of Bethany Mother House, distributed the prizes for the winners. The students who secured the highest marks in Sahodaya Competitive Exam were felicitated by distributing the certificate and cash prizes. Mohammed Asim from Madeline School, Mulki and Afia from St Joseph School, Kankanady, received the honour. Sr Lillis BS, the President, in her Presidential address appreciated the women for their courage and confidence with which they performed their role in their respective groups and appealed to them to stand united in obtaining their rights. She also congratulated Sr Shanthi Priya the Director, Sr Michelle BS, the Coordinator along with the Social workers and the staff Mrs Nalini, Ms Nimisha, Deepika and Ranjini for their selfless service and sacrificing spirit. Programme was compared by Ms Nimisha, staff of Sahodaya and Vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs Sunitha, the president of Sahodaya Mahila Okkutta.
