BIS #2950 NETWORKING IN KAPADVANJ

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE #2950

NETWORKING IN KAPADVANJ

Fr. Ivan Desouza sdb

KAPADVANJ, MAY 29, 2012: In the Province we have been talking about networking with other like-minded trusts "ad nauseam" but we have not really done anything about it so here at Kapadvanj, the dynamic Fr. Mayank thought of trying it out. He first helped the VS Gandhi and Kapadvanj Kelavni Mandal to plan their summer camp by conducting a planning session for their staff and volunteers. When he suggested some of our traditional methods, they were skeptical but were surprised with the results when they tried them out. The brothers, Evangelo, Sachin and Jerome helped with the different programmes in which we collaborated.


While looking for someone to represent Don Bosco, we thought none other than the first Gujarati rector, Rev. Fr. Pravin Macwana, the newly appointed rector of Narukot. We are grateful to him for consenting to be the face of Don Bosco at the function and sitting on the dais together with the other dignitaries.


A summer camp, lasting forty days closed with the concluding ceremony held on May 27, 2012 in the presence of Mr.  D.G. Chaudhari, (Secretary, Special Olympic, Gujarat), Mr. Jayesh M. Gandhi (Trustee: Shree V.S. Gandhi Charitable Trust, Kapadvanj), Mr. Nileshbhai R. Patel (Industrialist and Social worker, Baroda), Mr. Jayesh Bhalavala (Senior Badminton Coach, Gujarat), Mr. Nishitbhai Sheth (Industrialist, and Social worker), Fr. Pravin (CEO, Don Bosco, Kapadvanj) and Mr. Dhanvantlal S. Gandhi (Vice-President, Kapadvanj Kelvani Mandal).


This camp was really a unique event at Kapadvanj in the sense that it was the initiative of three different trusts working in collaboration for the kids of Kapadvanj town: Shree V. S. Gandhi Charitable Trust, Kapadvanj Kelavni Mandal and The Kapavanj Don Bosco Society.


This summer camp was inaugurated on April 15, 2012 with an entry of only thirty participants but at end of the same week we had two hundred registered participants. We have had various activities during the camp. The highlights of the camp were village experience, Camp Fire, Tracking, Cooking competition, fancy dress, cultural day etc.


These children were awarded certificates and prizes at the valedictory function at which guests from various organizations were part of the function
Dr. Kundaliiya CEO and Secretary of Shree V.S. Gandhi charitable trust said that they had been having this summer camp for last the last three years and this was only limited to various types of coaching but with Don Bosco coming in, the camp got a new vision – that of enjoyment, fun together with social commitment in addition to the usual personal development programmes.


Mr. Raval the Principal of Science college of Kapadvanj in his speech said that they had many meetings with Fr. Mayank in order to organize this programme and that the innovative ideas they got from the Don Bosco staff were amazing and that they are seriously considering future collaboration with Don Bosco to make the NSS and NCC groups of college students aware of their social responsibilities. They are looking forward to us helping them to draw up a curriculum and conducting sessions in the college.


Fr. Mayank too spoke and stressed on the importance of collaboration and networking with other NGOs. He got a huge applause when he said that this was a unique experience and an activity in which for the first time in the history of Kapadvanj town three NGOs worked together for a common purpose.
We helped in a special way with the planning, the village experience and the campfire. The brothers who came to help with the vocation camp were an instant hit with the children with their talents and organizational abilities.

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org