(ANS – Hyderabad) – Salesians in Hyderabad Province are using “Macs for socio economic improvement of Tribal women”. No, not exactly by gifting Mac Computers to them, but by helping them to start units of “Mutual Aided Cooperative Societies” (MACS) among them. On 23 June 2014, for instance, nearly 500 women from various villages of Tajangi, Lambasingi and Pedda Barada participated in the opening of a MACS programme at Tajangi, Chintapalli Mandal.

Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar, Vice Provincial of Hyderabad Province, Fr. Rayappa, Rector and Principal of ITDS, Mr. Chandrashekar, state coordinator of the institute of Don Bosco, Mr.Angadar Rao, MPTC of Tajangi, Mr. Bajjayya, Sarpanch, and other important persons were present at the inauguration programme.

In the inaugural speech Fr. Rayappa explained to the members of the tribal groups about the purpose of getting the approval for the MACS project, the importance of savings, the need for education and other important issues. Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar spoke appreciatively of the MACS concept and congratulated Fr. Rayappa SDB and Sr. Padma SJA for the creative and humanitarian work they were doing for the development of the tribals in Chintapalli Mandal. Mr. Chandrashekar explained to the women and the cluster leaders about the need for savings, how they have to save money, and the benefits of it. The village leaders thanked Fr. Rayappa for his efforts in motivating their people and helping them to realize their rights.

Chintapalli Don Bosco Mathru Janani Mahila Mutually Aided Co-operative Thrift Credit Society Ltd. was thus formed. It will continue under the leadership of Mrs. K. Bhagya Lakshmi and B. Venkatakumari and other B.D.O. members of Chintapalli.

Currently Don Bosco ITDS is helping the tribal women in 24 mandals of the region. DBITDS reports that about 16 thousand tribal women aremaking a saving of 4.20 crores through the MACS project.  Incidentally, MACS has taken up also its first programme of constructing a water tank for the tribal people at Lambadapalli. Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar laid the foundation stone for the project onthe same day. 

Published 30/06/2014