by Father Gregory D'Almeida for BISMumbai

On 03 March, 2021, MumbaiSalesians' Provincial-Father Savio Silveira had a review meeting with the Provincial Team for Migrants Ministry of the Don Bosco Suraksha Migrant Services. The meeting began in the council hall with each of the six desks sharing their experiences and information related to their desks of the last three months from the time the desk was initiated. The report included findings of the survey google online forms, the areas visited, issues of the migrants, actual outcomes on the ground so far, budget and plans for the next one year. In the second half of the meeting, Father Ajoy Fernandes, Director of Don Bosco Research Centre gave a systematic google form analysis of 2770 forms filled by 6 different desks of the Province of Bombay. He gave demographic information about the migrants and the crucial issues faced by them. His valuable suggestions and interventions regarding the research and data collection gave an overall perspective and directions to be followed for the next one year.

Based on the google form analysis and interventions, Father Silveira guided the team to move into the second phase of the migrant ministry. He suggested to focus on 03 points for the next 06 months. First, to limit our geographical distance upto 15 kms only. Second, to focus on the target group of migrants and third, to focus on three key issues related to migrants. The key issues related to migrants that were highlighted were: health, education of children, documentation, savings and insurance, and recreation. He suggested that 'giving' approach should not be encouraged rather we should adopt ACE approach (Accessing Citizen Entitlements). It means networking and collaborating with the concerned authorities to access citizens entitlements related to work, education, food, insurance, etc. The sharing of the experiences of different desks, google form analysis and the direction by Father Provincial into the second phase of the migrant ministry gave an impetus to move more strongly and vibrantly with and for migrants.