Self-help Groups constituted in St. Lawrence Parish, Belle

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’belle, 03 Sep 2014: One of the integral part of the Udupi Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Empowerment of Women is being gradually implemented under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto, Director of ‘Sampada’ by constituting women’s Self-help Groups in each and every ward of various parishes of the Udupi Diocese. As part of this programme, Self-help Groups under Women’s Commission  were inaugurated in the Parish Hall, Moodubelle on Wednesday, 3 September 2014 at a convention of around 200 women of the parish. The Moodubelle Unit of the Stree Sanghattan (Women’s Association) mobilized quite a large number of women for this purpose.

 

The programme was attended by Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, assistant parish priest of Moodubelle and Sr. Treeza Martis, Director of Women’s Commission of Udupi Diocese and Animator of the Diocesan Stree Sanghattan.

 

In preparation for the starting of the Women’s Self-help Groups in Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto in his homily on Sunday, 24 August 2014 had stressed upon the need for the women of the parish to constitute into Self-help Groups. He said that in the Karkala Deanery practically all the parishes have formed the Self-help Groups. In the Diocese of Udupi already 150 such groups have been constituted.

 

Following the welcome by Mrs. Treeza Lobo, president of the Moodubelle Unit of the Stree Sanghattan, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza in his brief message appreciated the presence of a large number of women for the convention and wished them well.

 

 

Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto once again explained the aims and objectives of the Self-help Groups and the modalities of constituting such groups in each and every ward of the parish. Stressing n the basic principles and aims of the Self-help Groups, Fr. Reginald said that women should chalk out their own progress by a life of unity and cooperation within their ward. Every member should be given information and training about the issues  where  progress can be achieved. Identifying the problems of the individual members and ward and finding out ways to solve these problems stage by stage. Encouragement to the members  to cultivate saving habits and to spend the amount thus saved with responsibility and enabling the women to live a life of self-reliance. Identification and development of various talents among the women and encouraging them to take up leadership. Making the members aware of the various government schemes and facilities.

 

The women were asked to form groups according to their wards and were instructed to choose an appropriate name for their Self-help Groups and also to select a President, Secretary and Treasurer among themselves. Fr. Reginald also explained to them about the procedure to open bank account in the name of the Self-help Group of each ward.

 

Once in a month soon after the SCC meetings, the members of the Ward self-help Group would conduct their meetings. Each member would be contributing Rs.100/- per month which will be collectively deposited in the bank. The needy persons would be provided loan. Besides promoting the habit of savings among the women, the needy women will have an opportunity to avail the funds urgently required n the form of soft loans.

 

Mrs. Meera Lobo compeered the programme and Mrs. Benedicta Castelino, member of the Women’s Commission of the Udupi Diocese proposed the vote of thanks.