By Mahesh Kumar for BIS Mumbai

The Social Ministry Delegate Meet was organized on July 24, 2025 at Don Bosco Snehalaya in Gujarat. The event brought together social ministry delegates from all Don Bosco houses across Gujarat, focusing on sharing insights, strengthening collaborations, and aligning on key developmental themes and strategies.

The meet began with a welcome address by Fr George Miranda, Executive Director of Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), who emphasized the collective responsibility of the network in driving social change. This was followed by a short prayer seeking the blessings of the Almighty.

Fr Baptist, Rector of Don Bosco Snehalaya, extended a warm welcome to all delegates and expressed his gratitude for their presence and participation.

The event featured two eminent resource persons – Mr Mahesh Kumar and Mr Wilfred Pereira.

In his engaging session, Mr Kumar spoke on crucial themes including:

• Poverty and its dimensions

• Multidimensional poverty

• Sustainable livelihood frameworks

• Proven models of poverty alleviation

• Role and functioning of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)

His session saw active participation from the delegates, who contributed their field experiences and insights during the discussions.

Following this, Mr Pereira presented an update on the progress of the Multidimensional Poverty Reduction Project being implemented in the Mumbai Province. His presentation offered valuable learnings and inspired the delegates to enhance the effectiveness of similar interventions in their respective locations.

Fr Miranda further stressed the importance of smooth and systematic flow of beneficiary data from local houses to the Development Office, noting that accurate and timely data are crucial for planning, reporting, and sustaining donor trust.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr Xavier Bandya, appreciating the contributions of all speakers and participants. A special acknowledgment was extended to Fr Baptist and his team for their warm hospitality and meticulous arrangements that ensured the success of the event.