Empowered Together: A Beacon of Hope for Families

In a meaningful event titled “Empowered Together to Support and Celebrate Life”, single parents gathered at the school auditorium on September 26th,2024 for a special workshop. The atmosphere was filled with hope and solidarity as Rev. Sr. Lilly Pushpa, the Principal, Dr. Sr. Prem D’Souza, the Administrator, and Rev. Sr. Premal, the Vice Principal, graced the occasion with their presence.

The program began with an invocation by the staff choir, setting the tone for the event with a song that reminded everyone that life, while challenging, is worth facing head-on. This was followed by a warm welcome address by Mrs. Shilpa, who extended greetings to all attendees and dignitaries present.

Dr. Sr. Severine Menezes, Director of the Pauline Home CounselingCenter in Mulki, engaged the audience with her reflective and thought provoking address. She opened with a simple yet powerful question: "How many of you looked into the mirror this morning, and what did you see and feel ?" The audience responded eagerly, setting the stage for an interactive session. Dr. Sr. Severine spoke passionately about the unique advantages of raising children in a supportive environment, highlighting aspects such as having greater control over household decisions, raising adaptable children, and managing financial resources with full autonomy.

However, she also addressed the challenges many families face—balancing finances, dealing with power struggles, custody issues, and the emotional development of children. She emphasized that households often encounter increased rates of youth crime and social isolation, making it even more important for caregivers to nurture their emotional well-being and create strong support networks.

To help navigate these difficulties, Dr.Sr Severine encouraged parents to start each day with a whispered prayer and cultivate positive thinking.. Her advice: "Don’t isolate yourself. Stay connected with family and friends, take care of yourself, and motivate yourself to find joy, even in the toughest times"was well accepted by the parents.

The workshop then took a lively turn when Dr. Menezes introduced therapeutic exercises for healthy living. Attendees participated enthusiastically, closing their eyes, lifting their legs in a light-hearted moment of physical therapy. She also led brain exercises aimed at stimulating various parts of the brain, including the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes, much to the delight of the participants.

Following this, Mr. Sathish Maben, the D.K. District Resource Person of the PMFME program, enlightened the participants on several government schemes available to help families achieve financial stability. He covered initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which supports small businesses, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), designed to assist with affordable housing. Minority subsidy schemes, including micro-loan options for SC/ST communities, were also thoroughly explained.

As the event drew to a close, participants were presented with thoughtful gifts and treated to refreshments. The sense of community and shared experience was palpable. Mrs. Juliet delivered a sincere vote of thanks, acknowledging the efforts of everyone who made the event a success. The program, beautifully compered by Mrs. Akshatha, left the attendees with a sense of empowerment, ready to tackle life’s challenges together.

The workshop, much more than an informational session, became a sanctuary of support and motivation, proving that together, families can celebrate life and its victories, no matter the challenges they face.