Community Ownership and Development - Towards Sustainable Livelihoods!

CSA with its networking partner has organized a course on Retail Associate Training for the youth at Dongri. It is a 2-month course which covers modules on Personality Development, Spoken English and Retail Management. As a part of this course, twenty-eight youth headed for an exposure visit to Big Bazaar, Bhayander on 22 nd  May 2018. The domain teacher of retail marketing, Mr. Siddhesh Sarvekar introduced them to different segments of the store such as electronics, grocery, cosmetics etc. to get an in-depth knowledge of its functioning. They got an idea of displaying products, price tags, discounts etc. The exposure visit and practical learning has tremendously helped their theoretical understanding.

On 2 nd April 2018, at Manthanpada in Manori, 9 youth attended the session on career guidance. The session was started interacting with the youths. They were asked what did they dream of becoming in their life? Many responded that they wanted to be nurses, some even said teachers and so on. Mr. Dayanand, CSA staff and resource person then gave brief information on various courses like teaching, nursing, fine arts, banking courses, account courses etc. which could be taken up after completing Std 10 th and 12 th . This brought a sigh of relief to the troubled and confused youth.   He also guided them with the criteria for the courses and shared the salary range they can expect. The session helped them rethink their career choices and expressed their need for further guidance from the CSA & CCO staffs. Std. 10 th is the foundation of every youth to make a wise choice for a better tomorrow.

Out of the 17 issues in the village unemployed youth was one of the major problems. Ten subcommittee members attended the meeting on 14 th Nov 2017. It came to light that many youths had completed the higher studies or did Hotel management courses but were still finding it difficult to search for a job. After a quick survey taken in the meeting in order to know the requirement of the youth, it was decided that courses on English communication will be conducted and sessions on career guidance would be organized. As some are even clueless with no guidance to help them choose a career path befitting them. CCO has already begun giving English classes to the youth and the session on career guidance is being planned. A seed of hope for a better future has already been sown.

The three main issue at Pali are Health & Uncleanliness, lack of information on rationing and irregular water supply. On 23 rd November 2017 at Church New Hall Pali a meeting was arranged with 26 youth to explain the concept of the project, involve the youth in creating awareness through street plays and guide them on the prioritized issues. The subcommittee member Mr. Rajesh Patil explained how these issues pertains to the present situation, the effect it can have in future and the measures as responsible individuals each must take for a positive result. CSA staff, Mr. Dayanand also the resource person explained in brief the Project Concept of Centre for Social Action and gave an introduction to Sahajeevan Social Centre. He guided the youth to present the play in a simple yet noteworthy manner. The youth decided to begin  practice every day from 24 th November at 8.30pm, and the CCO staff Sr. Nisha would attend the practice sessions, guide them wherever necessary an...