Celebration of Orange Day 2017
Orange day was celebrated at Nanjangud on 19th November 2017. 350 children
gathered for the programme. An awareness on human
trafficking and their right to protection was given to
them. It was a wonderful experience. The resource persons appreciated the efforts a lot.
ORANGE DAY
An attitude of gratitude is indeed a never ending prayer. Ripples like vibrations go round in circulation. Ever since Sr. Rita Mascarenhas introduced the idea of the ORANGE DAY it took wings. Sr. Nora got back the kit sensitized the core group of the Education to love-call it the Meena Raju Manch or Gender sensitivity ,the seven member group was all enthused they said it’s just a re enforcement sister, it is a burning issue we shall start right away. The literature was made available, we could not wait for the province to send the CD so we tapped urgently the source Sr. Rita was as quick as QUICK SILVER she send the CD free…gave a call to tell ask Sr. Aruna if it does not open and I will send you another tomorrow…the teachers viewed it and then did the organization. Each tailored the material for the respective classes V to X…, then got the class teacher involved in preparing the orange in a creative way…variety the spice of life…tea shirts, kurtis, sarees, scarfs,ribbons, flowers, sashes, dupatas,balloons.. we all go ORANGE TO FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENCE INFLICTED TO WOMEN.
We are educators sister, we shall do some spade work,read up ,clippings ,facts to sensitize the youth.We have to make it creative and acceptable. Tr.Suchita a born orator took the mike …its her good morning fable but which will never be deleted from the mind’s eye…the dialogue technique that the audience is focused…primary teachers were roped in that the ripples would move wider.
Tr.Suchita began her narration with a group of 5 craftsmen who went to the forest. They decided that they would have to keep the night vigil if they wanted to remain alive the next day. The first to be the opening batsman was the carpenter. As he looked around he found a log of wood he swiftly began to work at it and fashioned a woman from it, the next was the weaver, he said she look drape let me drape her in the Indian saree…the third was a jeweller he said an Indian women without gold
is
incomplete let me decorate her with ornaments the fourth on the list
was the traditional a craftsman he has his box of beads and bindis and
kumkum. He dressed her in green bangles, with bindi and kumkum now the
last on the list is the Sadhu he said what a masterpiece but lifeless
let me breathe into her the breath of life…and lo and behold the statue
sprang to life.Now begins the drama all the group fight to have her in
marriage. The poor woman sits still in a corner, in walks an old farmer
he said I have watched the scene can I give the law…who can be her
rightful partner, not the carpenter, nor the jeweller, nor the weaver,
nor the sadhu then turning to the traditional matchmaker he said he can
take his rightful place as her better half.Now the woman sprang to life
and says I want none of them…all this time did you involve me in my
decision I am not a piece of art I am a living being a BECOMING..Gods
miracle of love. I have my own dreams and aspirations. Arise and save my
dignity. India can count on me.The children were spell bound..the fable spoke for itself. Then walked in Tr.Maryann she spoke in English and encouraged the youth to stand for their rights, their dignity and honour and finally walked in Tr.Vivita she briefed the audience about the importance of colour-orange for sacrifice –lets go orange and fight for our dignity .Say No ,Unite to end violence against women and girls. –Auxilium Convent Wadala
Published Date: September 12, 2012
A new service in favor of tribal women and young
girls.
“Seeing the plight of
poor tribal girls, we began tracking the nets of the traffickers from where
they were being transported” said Srs. Annie and Sheeba of Franciscan
Missionaries of Mary Sisters.
The FMM Sisters at
Vijaya Jyoti Convent, Kansabel, Jashpur, have ventured into a new service in
favor of the women and young girls of the region being trafficked daily to
other parts of the country and abroad for the purposes of domestic service,
cheap child labor, commercial sex exploitation and many other forms of cruelty
to women and children.
We began this mission
through our existing Jeevan Jharna Vikas Sanstha (JJVS), a registered NGO of
FMM Sisters of Delhi Province, working for the development of the Tribals of
Jashpur Region in Chattisgarh, India. Two
of us, Annie Jesus Mary and Sheeba Antony, are fully engaged in this
ministry realizing the danger of thousands of our young women and children
falling into the hands of traffickers who lure and exploit them and force most
of them into prostitution. We began focusing on the transport of these poor
young girls from interior villages to the cities.
From Jashpur alone, over
20,000 girls belonging to Chhattisgarh’s tribal region have been sold by human
traffickers in the last eight years in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Goa,
Bangalore and Chennai our former Chhattisgarh chief minister said in a recent
statement. Our enthusiasm in this
Mission caught the attention of both the Government and Non Government
officials of the region. For the first time the State Government invited us to
participate in the workshop on Anti-human Trafficking from May 26th to 28th
2012.
At this Public gathering
of about 230 Government and likeminded Non Government officials, Sr. Annie
Jesus fmm spoke about JJVS’ activities that focused on anti-human trafficking.
This was the beginning of a strong bonding between FMMs, our Organization JJVS,
politicians, Police and renowned philanthropists and others working for the
poor. This has boosted our courage in
this daring mission and we find the local police officials ever ready to help
us or seeking our collaboration in their rescue operation of trafficked
persons. Here are the details of one of our joint efforts in rescuing five
trafficked young girls.
Rescue Operation in
Collaboration with the Police Force.
On 5th June 2012 Kiran
Kathan, a 20 year old leader of a group of 5 girls between the ages of 15 to 21
was taking them to Bombay for domestic work. While they were waiting at the bus
stop the police nabbed them and Immediately informed us. Srs. Annie and Emelda Kujur fmm went and
along with the police counseled them. Their parents and the local Panchayat
President were called and instructed not to send girls to work anywhere. Making
minor girls to work is crime. These parents were made to understand the
difficulties the girls face in cities Our
involvement in the Village protection committee at Jashpur.
In 2012 the Government,
decided to make Jashpur a CRIME FREE district and formed a new committee to
reduce crime in the villages and to bridge the gap between the Police and
society. The members were to be people of character, commitment and integrity
and we were included.
On 6th June Srs. Annie
and Emelda fmm, along with the local police team attended the Conference of the
Village Protection Committee and we were given the opportunity to address the
large gathering. Both of us spoke about JJVS activities in Kansabel related to
anti human trafficking and our net working with the local police. It was an eye opener for the people and after
the meeting many parents started to come to Kansabel asking for help to bring
back their minor girls from different cities.
The pathetic story is
the fact that this violation has been inflicted on the girls by their parents
and by agents who are their own relatives. This is one of the biggest crimes in
our Jashpur district. To control over this crime various plans have been
implemented in our district especially through the Panchayats.
Along with our staff, we
also took part in a 2 day training in June on anti human trafficking at the
district level by the police department of Jashpur district for police
personnel’s, lawyers, CWC department, media personals and the selected NGOs of
Jashpur.
A memento has been
awarded to JJVS for our contribution to bring dignity to humanity.
Bonding with the
Villagers to reinforce our efforts. We
are now working towards bonding with the villagers to save their daughters who
have been lured away from this tribal, poverty-stricken region. Rarely they
encounter good fortune and prosperity where they go. More often, they are
physically abused. And yet, the call of
the major Cities are so enticing that innocent girls, mostly in their teens and
unaware of what lies ahead, often run away from home even without their
parents’ knowledge. We have begun to create awareness among the villagers on
the evil consequences of human trafficking.
We were delighted to get
the support of a villager on 20th June 2012. We received a call from one of the
villagers saying that there were girls getting ready to go to Delhi along with
an agent. They had well planned their
trip and had arranged a vehicle to get out from their village in the early
hours of 21st June before anyone notices. Sr. Annie contacted the local police
immediately. At 11pm sisters and the police went to the village along the
village president to locate the family.
The car, the driver and
his friend, the agent and the girls were arrested and brought to the police
station for enquiry and were then sent to jail; but the girls were released and
we were happy to hand them over to their parents.
AMRAT - Asian Movement of Women Religious Against Trafficking in Persons by
Sr
Sahaya FMM, Mumbai
Introduction: Human Trafficking is a modern form of slavery which is
intrinsically linked to migration. Combating trafficking- in-persons is the one
of the most pressing challenges facing the international community today. The
victims of this insidious crime each year number in the hundreds of thousands,
possibly millions. Because of its No individual country has the power to
eradicate trafficking in persons alone because of its transnational nature.
Organizations such as the International Organization for Migrants (IOM) are
working in new ways to combat this terrible world- wide plague.
Creating Awareness: One of the ways to combat trafficking is to work in
partnership with like-minded organizations. Such a partnership is developed
between International Organization for Migrants and International Union of
Superiors General (UISG) in response to the call of Vatican in1998.
Counter-Trafficking Training Programs for religious Personnel are jointly
organized by IOM and UISG. Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA(India) was the
representative of UISG till May 2010, while Mr Stefano Volpicelli(Italy)
represents IOM. They successfully organized the workshops in various regions of
different continents and created a world-wide network of women religious working
against trafficking.
After working for 12 years continually Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA has handed over
her responsibility of training the religious personnel and strengthening the
‘International network of consecrated life against trafficking in persons
‘TALITHA KUM’ to Sr Estrella Castalone FMA(Philippines).
The South Asian Workshop to train women religious was organized and conducted
jointly by IOM and UISG. Sr. Jyoti bs, the delegate of UISG-India facilitated
the process and arranged the logistics. First phase of the training was for 6
days at Raia, Goa at the Seminary campus of the SVD Priests, from 18th - 24th
November, 2009. 43 participants representing 18 congregations from Bangladesh,
India, Nepal and Sri- lanka reflected together on this global crime and
searched for the means to prevent it effectively. The workshop was sponsored by
Conrad Hilton Sisters’ Fund from USA.
The following topics were explained by the resource persons through case studies
and power point presentations:
Trafficking in Persons and migration; trafficking and gender; social and
institutional responses; trafficking and health; prevention; helping
relationship; empowerment and spiritual support for preventing burn out.
Participants were then grouped on regional basis to evolve an action plan as
each region of India and South Asian countries had unique ground realities to
deal with.
South Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Goa and
Maharastra, Delhi and North India, North East India and West Bengal, Sri Lanka,
Nepal and Bangladesh regional plans were worked out to counter
Trafficking-in-Persons. It was decided that the follow up session will be
conducted in the fourth week of May, 2010 to review the work done and to form a
Network of the women religious of South Asia, to work in collaboration with
those involved in the Cause.
Networking - Living in Hope: The follow up session was held at Kolkota at Dhyan
Ashram of the Jesuit Priests, from 27th - 30th May, 2010. 27 women
religious who were present at the first phase of the workshop returned with
their experience in combating the trafficking. The resource persons were
Sr.Bernadette Sangma FSA (UISG), Mr. Stefano Volpicelli (IOM) from Rome and
Mrs.Shimray Mungreiphy from Caritas India, Delhi. Sr. Estrella Castalone FMA,
the new co-ordinator of Thalitha Kum was also present and enriched the workshop
sharing her own work among these exploited and marginalized groups.
Sr.Bernadette was the moderator of the sessions and Mr.Stefano guided the
participants on the dynamics of net working. Mrs.shimay enlightened the
participant on the Legal Provisions on Trafficking provided in the
Constitutions of India(Art.23.1,39.e,39.f), and Indian Penal Code. She also
highlighted the laws from the ‘Immoral Traffic(Prevention) Act, 1956(ITPA)and
also pointed out that the application of various laws need collective and
determined efforts.
The participants shared on their involvement in working against human
trafficking in persons in the light of the action plan made in November, 2009.
It was very enriching to listen to each other and was a learning process.
Their collaboration with local NGOs and local bodies was greatly appreciated.
The aim of the second phase of the workshop was to create a Net work among
the women religious and to evolve the vision, objectives and plan out strategies
to combat trafficking in a realistic manner.
The following vision , objectives and activities of the net work were evolved by
the participants.
Vision: Inspired by the love of Christ who came to give the fullness of life
to all, we, the women religious of South Asia, commit ourselves to promote and
restore human dignity, addressing the issue of trafficking in Persons, in
collaboration and solidarity with equally motivated organizations.
Based on this vision the participants formulated the objectives. Brainstorming
was done to name the new Network.
AMRAT - Asian Movement of women Religious Against Trafficking in persons
(Meaning: Water of immortality/life giving water - Sanskrit) was accepted as the
name of the Network.
The structure of the network was then discussed. Central and Regional
co-ordinators were elected by the members.
Central Co-ordinating Committee Members(CCC)
Sr Jyoti BS,Goa and Sr Benjamin HM, Orissa
Regional Coordinating Committee Members(RCC)
North Region - Sr Rajni FMM, Uttar Pradesh
West Region - Sr Vinaya RGS, Goa
East Region - Sr Seli SMI, West Bengal
South Region - Sr V Amrutha SCCG, Andra PradeshSr Cynthia Cardoza SCCG,
Karnataka
Sri Lanka - Sr Nilanthi FMM, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh - Sr Zita Rema SMMI, Bangladesh
Nepal - Sr Teresa Madassery SCN, Nepal
North East India and Pakistan regional coordinators are yet to be found.
Central Committee and Regional Committee members will meet and work out the
modalities for coordination and working together to share and maximize the
resources that the consecrated persons have on behalf of prevention, protection
and assistance, awareness raising and integration of the rescued victims into
the society.
Religious networks against trafficking had 19 members until 2009. These
networks are from the countries of Europe, Africa, South America, North
America, South East Asia. ‘AMRAT’(Asian Movement of Women Religious Against
Trafficking in Persons) formed in Kolkata at Dhyanashram is the 20th
organization to join the religious network.
The Major Superiors of Women Religious of India will be informed about ‘AMRAT’
during their National plenary meeting in Goa to enlist their support and
participation in this important mission. It also will ensure the effective net
working among the religious congregations at national and international level.
Conclusion: The participants enthusiastically assured each other their support
and collaboration realizing only networking among ourselves and all who work for
this cause alone will bring about the desired change.
There was spontaneous expression of sentiments of gratitude for the services of
Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA, Mr Stefano Volpicelli, Sr Estrella Castalone FMA, Ms
Shimray Mungreiphy, Sr Jyoti BS and those who assisted the workshop
financially, the Conrad Hilton Sisters’ Fund and Caritas India and the Jesuit
Fathers for providing a conducive atmosphere for the workshop.
The meeting was brought to a fitting conclusion with a prayer and entrustment of
the mission of AMRAT to Mary’s help and guidance.
Sahaya FMM, Mumbai
Introduction: Human Trafficking is a modern form of slavery which is
intrinsically linked to migration. Combating trafficking- in-persons is the one
of the most pressing challenges facing the international community today. The
victims of this insidious crime each year number in the hundreds of thousands,
possibly millions. Because of its No individual country has the power to
eradicate trafficking in persons alone because of its transnational nature.
Organizations such as the International Organization for Migrants (IOM) are
working in new ways to combat this terrible world- wide plague.
Creating Awareness: One of the ways to combat trafficking is to work in
partnership with like-minded organizations. Such a partnership is developed
between International Organization for Migrants and International Union of
Superiors General (UISG) in response to the call of Vatican in1998.
Counter-Trafficking Training Programs for religious Personnel are jointly
organized by IOM and UISG. Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA(India) was the
representative of UISG till May 2010, while Mr Stefano Volpicelli(Italy)
represents IOM. They successfully organized the workshops in various regions of
different continents and created a world-wide network of women religious working
against trafficking.
After working for 12 years continually Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA has handed over
her responsibility of training the religious personnel and strengthening the
‘International network of consecrated life against trafficking in persons
‘TALITHA KUM’ to Sr Estrella Castalone FMA(Philippines).
The South Asian Workshop to train women religious was organized and conducted
jointly by IOM and UISG. Sr. Jyoti bs, the delegate of UISG-India facilitated
the process and arranged the logistics. First phase of the training was for 6
days at Raia, Goa at the Seminary campus of the SVD Priests, from 18th - 24th
November, 2009. 43 participants representing 18 congregations from Bangladesh,
India, Nepal and Sri- lanka reflected together on this global crime and
searched for the means to prevent it effectively. The workshop was sponsored by
Conrad Hilton Sisters’ Fund from USA.
The following topics were explained by the resource persons through case studies
and power point presentations:
Trafficking in Persons and migration; trafficking and gender; social and
institutional responses; trafficking and health; prevention; helping
relationship; empowerment and spiritual support for preventing burn out.
Participants were then grouped on regional basis to evolve an action plan as
each region of India and South Asian countries had unique ground realities to
deal with.
South Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Goa and
Maharastra, Delhi and North India, North East India and West Bengal, Sri Lanka,
Nepal and Bangladesh regional plans were worked out to counter
Trafficking-in-Persons. It was decided that the follow up session will be
conducted in the fourth week of May, 2010 to review the work done and to form a
Network of the women religious of South Asia, to work in collaboration with
those involved in the Cause.
Networking - Living in Hope: The follow up session was held at Kolkota at Dhyan
Ashram of the Jesuit Priests, from 27th - 30th May, 2010. 27 women
religious who were present at the first phase of the workshop returned with
their experience in combating the trafficking. The resource persons were
Sr.Bernadette Sangma FSA (UISG), Mr. Stefano Volpicelli (IOM) from Rome and
Mrs.Shimray Mungreiphy from Caritas India, Delhi. Sr. Estrella Castalone FMA,
the new co-ordinator of Thalitha Kum was also present and enriched the workshop
sharing her own work among these exploited and marginalized groups.
Sr.Bernadette was the moderator of the sessions and Mr.Stefano guided the
participants on the dynamics of net working. Mrs.shimay enlightened the
participant on the Legal Provisions on Trafficking provided in the
Constitutions of India(Art.23.1,39.e,39.f), and Indian Penal Code. She also
highlighted the laws from the ‘Immoral Traffic(Prevention) Act, 1956(ITPA)and
also pointed out that the application of various laws need collective and
determined efforts.
The participants shared on their involvement in working against human
trafficking in persons in the light of the action plan made in November, 2009.
It was very enriching to listen to each other and was a learning process.
Their collaboration with local NGOs and local bodies was greatly appreciated.
The aim of the second phase of the workshop was to create a Net work among
the women religious and to evolve the vision, objectives and plan out strategies
to combat trafficking in a realistic manner.
The following vision , objectives and activities of the net work were evolved by
the participants.
Vision: Inspired by the love of Christ who came to give the fullness of life
to all, we, the women religious of South Asia, commit ourselves to promote and
restore human dignity, addressing the issue of trafficking in Persons, in
collaboration and solidarity with equally motivated organizations.
Based on this vision the participants formulated the objectives. Brainstorming
was done to name the new Network.
AMRAT - Asian Movement of women Religious Against Trafficking in persons
(Meaning: Water of immortality/life giving water - Sanskrit) was accepted as the
name of the Network.
The structure of the network was then discussed. Central and Regional
co-ordinators were elected by the members.
Central Co-ordinating Committee Members(CCC)
Sr Jyoti BS,Goa and Sr Benjamin HM, Orissa
Regional Coordinating Committee Members(RCC)
North Region - Sr Rajni FMM, Uttar Pradesh
West Region - Sr Vinaya RGS, Goa
East Region - Sr Seli SMI, West Bengal
South Region - Sr V Amrutha SCCG, Andra PradeshSr Cynthia Cardoza SCCG,
Karnataka
Sri Lanka - Sr Nilanthi FMM, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh - Sr Zita Rema SMMI, Bangladesh
Nepal - Sr Teresa Madassery SCN, Nepal
North East India and Pakistan regional coordinators are yet to be found.
Central Committee and Regional Committee members will meet and work out the
modalities for coordination and working together to share and maximize the
resources that the consecrated persons have on behalf of prevention, protection
and assistance, awareness raising and integration of the rescued victims into
the society.
Religious networks against trafficking had 19 members until 2009. These
networks are from the countries of Europe, Africa, South America, North
America, South East Asia. ‘AMRAT’(Asian Movement of Women Religious Against
Trafficking in Persons) formed in Kolkata at Dhyanashram is the 20th
organization to join the religious network.
The Major Superiors of Women Religious of India will be informed about ‘AMRAT’
during their National plenary meeting in Goa to enlist their support and
participation in this important mission. It also will ensure the effective net
working among the religious congregations at national and international level.
Conclusion: The participants enthusiastically assured each other their support
and collaboration realizing only networking among ourselves and all who work for
this cause alone will bring about the desired change.
There was spontaneous expression of sentiments of gratitude for the services of
Sr Bernadette Sangma FMA, Mr Stefano Volpicelli, Sr Estrella Castalone FMA, Ms
Shimray Mungreiphy, Sr Jyoti BS and those who assisted the workshop
financially, the Conrad Hilton Sisters’ Fund and Caritas India and the Jesuit
Fathers for providing a conducive atmosphere for the workshop.
The meeting was brought to a fitting conclusion with a prayer and entrustment of
the mission of AMRAT to Mary’s help and guidance.
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