by Father Johnson Kshirsagar for BISMumbai

Bosco Samajik Vikas Sanstha (BSVS) Walvanda developed a 'mogra [Jasmine] nursery with 01 lakh saplings during the COVID-19 providing employment opportunities and wages for tribal women of the neighbourhood. Along with the tribal women and their family, BSVS staff also worked hard to achieve this task. These saplings were distributed among the tribal women after 06 months to cultivate in their fields, so that they could be ensured a sustainable livelihood opportunity.

BSVS Director Father Anaclete D’Mello planned and implemented this unique and innovative method with the primary objective of providing employment opportunities to the poor Katkari families affected by the closing down of brick kilns due to COVID-19. These daily wage earners are very grateful to the organization for providing them wages through this innovative opportunity. Besides, these families are the primary beneficiaries in receiving the saplings when it is ready to plant in their fields. Thus, it's a double benefit. The other BSVS staff and Salesian in residence at Walvanda, play proactive roles for the successful implementation of this project