A meeting of all the Catholic Lawyers’ organized by Kaira Social Service Society was held on 17th June 2007 at Bishop’s House, Ahmedabad from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Lawyers from Ahmedabad, Kheda and Anand attended in good numbers. Fr. Joseph Appavoo, Director of Kaira Social Service Society welcomed all and briefed them on the need to ensure, protect and promote our rights, and to serve the poor, marginalized and the Christian community. Rt. Rev. Thomas Macwan, Bishop of Ahmedabad shared the present problems and concerns faced by the Christian community. The various problems discussed were: (1) Police harassment in our Institutions & Community; (2) Dalit Christian Issues; (3) Conversion Issues; (4) Problem with Government Department regarding Land, Building, Educational Institutions, Approval of Teachers in minority schools; (5) Marriage divorce cases & criminal cases against couples; and (6) Other Human Rights issues.

Catholic Lawyers expressed their willingness and support to Catholic Lawyers’ Solidarity Association. They also appealed to Bishop that church must trust and support Christian Lawyers. They suggested the commencement of Christian Lawyers’ Cell and to educate the community on legal issues. Capacity Building programs for the lawyers may be arranged to increase their competence and skills. Bishop’s concerns were considered and various practical suggestions/solutions were evolved. They showed their willingness to participate in such meetings. It was unanimously decided to hold the next meeting at Anand on 25th August 2007. Dhiraj (Nadiad) and Kirit (Vadtal) have taken the responsibility to contact all the Catholic Lawyers in Kheda & Anand District and Mr. P.T. Chacko, Mr. Joy & Mr. Romesh for Ahmedabad.

Dr. Ms. Radha Mohan, M.D. from Baroda was the resource person of the program in which 23 sister nurses, Health Coordinator of the Diocese and Director of KSSS were present. She dealt with various topics during her session like Viral Diseases, Making Health Services people oriented, Avoidance of Injection, How to clean the mind through Hypno therapy, and General Counselling. All the participants expressed their satisfaction over the points considered during the session. They unanimously agreed to meet once in every 3 months. The next meeting will be held on the 3rd Sunday of September 2007. Two Sisters (Sr. Flavia – Khambhat and Sr. Neela – Koth) were elected by the members to lead the group. KSSS will provide all the needed assistance and support to them.

On 02nd June 2007, an Awareness Program for Economic Upliftment of Widows was organized at two places viz. Shanti Nivas – Thasara and Sisters of Mary Immaculate – Kathlal. From the villages of Kheda District total 60 widows participated of which 32 at Kathlal and 28 at Thasara. Mr. Anil Dave of Social Defense Department – Nadiad was present on the day. He motivated them to live a life with dignity and informed them about the various schemes for improving their living standard through self-employment training. He wished them to be independent through economic upliftment. Kaira Social Service Society (K.S.S.S.) has been asked by Social Defense Department, Nadiad - Gujarat State Government, to organize it on their behalf. KSSS has received a project of four modules for 100 widows amounting to Rs.3,00,000/-.

As part of this awareness program 100 women will be trained for 12 days on various topics viz. Sewing Classes, Petty Shops, Vegetable vendors, etc., in detail about managing them from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. After completion of this training program, each participant will be given a free kit of value Rs.3000/- for commencing his or her own self employment economic activity. Moreover KSSS will also give a certificate to them. The program is implemented by staff of KSSS.

Year 2007 is declared as the "Year of Children" and hence greater importance is given to their issues. As a measure in this regard, ‘The trainings to the Boarding Prefects and Boarding In-charges’ were envisaged for the overall development of the children of Ahmedabad Diocese. Two trainings were held from 06th – 07th June’ 07 at Pastoral Centre, Nadiad and 08th – 09th June’ 07 – at Pastoral Centre, Ahmedabad respectively, organized by Karia Social Service Society (KSSS) and supported by CRS. Rt. Rev. Thomas Macwan – Bishop of Ahmedabad presided the program and shared his experience with the children in Boardings. He wished to experience God’s love in them. Fr. Joseph Appavoo – Director, Karia Social Service Society emphasized the four rights of the children: (1) Right to Life, (2) Right to Protection, (3) Right to Development and (4) Right to participate. He appealed the participants to increase their capacity and skills in order to work closely with them and deal with their issues.

The resource persons for the program were Ms. Tejal Thakore, Psychiatric Social Worker – B.M. Institute of Mental Health and Ms. Bhairavi Dave, Psychologist & Consultant – B.M. Institute of Mental Health. 29 Boarding Prefects and 24 Boarding In-charges attended these sessions. The various issues considered during the session were (1) Child Counselling, (2) Behavioural Change and (3) Common problems of the children and its measures. The participants expressed satisfaction over the topics taken up. The next training is scheduled on 23rd September 2007.