Animators take up Political Leadership

Raigunj, Nov. 15, 2008 Caritas, Raiganj motivated animators to take up village leadership. 23 animators of Social Welfare Institute, (SWI) popularly known as Caritas Raiganj have become Village Development council members during the recent selection. Out of the 25 animators working with the SWI on Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) programme, 23 of them have been selected by the village Panchayats to be the members of the Village Development Council (Gram Unnayan Samiti). These members have a role in planning village level Development, disaster management and health related programmes for the good of the villagers. They will also control the part of the finances given for development programmes by the Government in each Ward, said Fr. Puthumai Nazarene, the Director of SWI.We are very proud that our animators who have been trained by us have become VDC members in Harishchandrapur II Block of Malda District, said Miss. Bimala Baru, coordinator for CBDP programme supported by the UNICEF (United Nations Children's Education Fund). This is a great recognition for our organisation, said Fr. Puthumai who conducts monthly trainings for the animators.I am glad to learn that our animators have achieved this level of leadership, said Miss. Parnasri RayChowdhuri, Emergency officer of UNICEF, Calcutta. We are sure these animators will help the Panchayats to utilise the funds fully for the good of the vulnerable communities, said Bro.I.P.Sarto, Secretary of the Bengal Regional Forum. This is a good achievement on the part of the diocesan social service society in empowering people to take up political governance at the village level. We are sure these animators will help the people to get the Government facilities, said Sr. Naveena Tudu of the Sisters of Charity. SWI based in Raiganj works in three districts of North Bengal, viz, Malda, North Dinajpur and south Dinajpur since 1972. SWI was formerly involved in relief works for the Bangladesh refugees and later shifted to children's welfare, women's health and all round development of the vulnerable communities, said Fr. S. Santhappan, former director of SWI. Presently SWi works in collaboration with various Government departments. ## I.P.Sarto, Calcutta (from a Press Report sent to Christian magazines by Fr. I.P. Sarto)