In the Development scenario, change takes place in varieties of spheres but the challenging part is to document the change. The Most Significant Change approach is a qualitative and participatory form of monitoring and evaluation based on the collection and systematic selection of stories of reported changes from development activities. It is the most valuable source of information to record the change in people’s lives.

Caritas India has planned to initiate the documentation of Most Significant Change (MSC) in Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign in Kerala. The campaign that started in 2014 has loads of positive changes in the community which can be captured under MSC. Caritas team in Kerala organized physical training for the DLOs of 31 Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSS) partners named Ashakiranam Most Significant Changes under the CIDAL banner along with the programme review.

Ashakiranam campaign has paved the way to make personal, family and community-level changes which is witnessed by many. The training indented to collect the most significant changes that have taken place through the Ashakiranam campaign. The trainings were conducted at the cluster level on 17th, 19th and 21st May 2022 at Santhwanam, Thrissur, MSSS, Trivandrum, CSSS, and Cochin, respectively.

“This is an opportunity for Ashakiranam team members to come together after the Covid pandemic to learn more at the field level interventions and gain new knowledge to better implement Ashakiranam activities in the future,” shared Abeesh Antony, State Program Associate – Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign while setting the context of the program. The official inauguration of the review meeting and MSC training was done by the Executive Directors of the hosting DSSS. 

The inherent preventive approaches, patients support systems, volunteering efforts, resource development initiatives were highlighted through the life inspiring stories by the Ashakiranam DLOs of the DSSS during the review meeting. They were presenting the program achievements of December 2021 to May 2022. 

“This exercise helped us to acquire ideas for Ashakiranam exemplary activities taking place in one DSSS partner and to formulate plans for implementation of the same in other diocesan operational areas,” shared Nelson, the Ashakiranam DLO from Santhwanam, Thrissur. After the presentation, an inclusive action plan for the month of June includes Cancer survivors meet and promotion programmes, 1 plant 1 Volunteer initiative, tree saplings distribution, planting under SHGs, cleaning drive, poster designing and distribution as part of World environment day and expanding school level Ashakiranam programmes etc. was unanimously agreed by the representatives.

“Caritas India is setting an opportunity before us to scientifically bring out the results of the Ashakiranam activities that have taken place to date.

This koinonia is a resource hub for acquiring skills and knowledge,” shared Dileesh Varghese, the resource person and Lead – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) of Caritas India. He explained specific processes and stages for conducting MSC with the community people. It covered the detailed discussion on basics steps in Most Significant (MSC) (Deciding, Collecting, Sharing), Methods, modalities and process of MSC, techniques of collecting the Most Significant Stories mainly through focused group discussions, how to prepare a good story (structure). He also shared a facilitation guide on the MSC approach, and tool of MSC data collection with the Ashakiranam DLOs for their further guidance. After the training, the DLOs will facilitate Focused Groups Discussion (FGDs) in the selected areas with Cancer patients, family members and volunteers in 1 month of time and will be able to capture and 31 Most Significant Changes stories from the field. 

Appreciating the efforts of Caritas India, Fr. Vincent Charuvila, Director, MSSS, Trivandrum said: “The training program organized by Caritas India under CIDAL, extends the capacities of the Diocesan Social Service Societies and enables the staff to act proactively, measure the results and replicate the learning in their future intervention more efficiently”. 

“Through this training session, I have gained the knowledge and ability to achieve and document the right results of the interventions of Ashakiranam Campaign in a scientific way,” said Mr. Biju Antony, Ashakiranam DLO, NIDS, Neyyattinkara.

“This Cluster level gathering of Asakiranam DLOs gave new impetus and inspiration. This has led to an increase in the interest for poor cancer patients to work more efficiently,” said by Ms. Laly, DLO, CSSS, Cochin.