Since 1992, Roshnigraha Community Centre has been catering to the empowerment of the poor and marginalised sections. They operate under the tutelage of Our Lady of Remedy Church, Poinsur in Kandivli West. “Our centre undertakes activities for children, housewives and senior citizens. Our primary aim is to reach the needy, we want to empower them with a better future,” said Sushila Pallicha, assistant director of Roshnigraha Community Centre. Pallicha has been with the centre since 2004.
Essentially, the organisation administers balwadis, where the medium of instruction is English. They assist children in learning skills that help them take admission in BMC schools and other aided schools. Currently there are 28 children under the aegis of the institute and they lend a helping hand to extremely poor families. “Many only dream of studying in an English-medium school, we fulfil that aspiration,” said Pallicha.
She added, “Sometimes people come to us and seek financial assistance after they get admission in any government school. If we fall short of funds, many like-minded philanthropists come forward with aid.”
After the classes for children in the morning get over, the centre conducts classes for single or married women, who want to be independent, but lack basic skills. “We conduct tailoring classes, where at least 15 women come to learn. Since they have to manage their domestic assignments, they come to the centre between 2 pm to 5 pm. In addition to that, we try promoting self-employment by teaching them to make agarbattis and candles so that they can rake in additional income. This will make them independent and increase their standing among their family,” said Pallicha.
They have also adopted 50 marginalised senior citizens. “We give them food rations every second Saturday of the month with the help of patrons like Helpage India, WNS and Bombay Stock Exchange. We also take them for picnics and outings,” informs Pallicha.
Last month, they had organised a picnic at Royal Garden, Vasai for senior citizens. They also help senior citizens with medical treatment. Every Thursday, qualified doctors conduct checks for diabetes and other illness, and also render assistance for TB patients by providing them nutrition and medicine.
On November 14, the centre distributed grocery which included wheat, rice, tur dal, ghee and sugar among the needy. “We also conduct literacy classes for adults. All this would not be possible without the help of parish priest Father Peter D’Mello and principal Antonio Fernandes who always gives us his school premises for our programmes,” concludes Sushila.
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