Caritas India reviewed its Saksham program and found that the outcomes are not only fruitful but also bringing forth new positive insights in the community.
From November 19-21, 2024, Navjivan Renewal Centre in New Delhi was filled with energy as 18 diocesan partner organizations from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar gathered for a three-day reflection on the Saksham III program. This annual event, a cornerstone of Caritas India’s commitment to community development, served as a crucial platform for evaluation before the program’s conclusion on March 31, 2025.

The meeting created avenues as coordinators passionately shared their progress, painting a vivid picture of the program’s impact. Under the banner of Good Governance, special Gram Sabhas flourished, social audits empowered communities, and women leaders emerged, their voices growing stronger with each passing day. The Sustainable Agriculture initiatives bore fruit – quite literally – with thriving community nurseries, bustling Haat Bazaars, and a resurgence of millet cultivation.

Fr. Antony Fernandes, Executive Director of Caritas India, set an inspiring tone on day one with a data-driven review of Saksham’s achievements. He emphasized the critical importance of aligning program targets with budgets and meticulous implementation, urging the maintenance of detailed field records and logbooks.

Over three days of intense deliberation, participants grappled with emerging issues and strategized for the program’s next phase. The discussions were a symphony of ideas, focusing on:

• Amplifying impact-oriented interventions
• Shining a spotlight on program results
• Forging stronger bonds with civil society organizations
• Empowering communities to mobilize their own resources
• Embracing real-time reporting for nimble implementation

Fr. Anil Crasta, Assistant Executive Director, led a thought-provoking session on the third day. While celebrating the program’s achievements, he gently nudged the team towards innovation and enhanced effectiveness, stressing the importance of linking program narratives with hard data for greater credibility and visibility.

As the meeting drew to a close, Fr. Antony rallied the team with a clarion call to meet program targets by March 31, 2025. He announced upcoming evaluations and called for strategic input from partner organizations. The Lenten campaign emerged as an opportunity, offering a chance to mobilize resources for differently abled individuals in intervention areas.

Under the expert guidance of Program Lead Dr. Saju, participants dove into a brainstorming session, exploring thematic possibilities for the next phase. The focus areas that emerged – from community markets to women’s entrepreneurship – promised a future brimming with potential.

As the curtains fell on this transformative gathering, participants left with hearts full of satisfaction and a renewed fire to serve their communities. The deliberations had reinforced a simple yet powerful truth – that collective effort and strategic planning are the twin engines of sustainable change.

Caritas India’s Saksham program stands as a testament to the power of innovative thinking and community-driven development. As we look to the future, one thing is clear – the seeds of change planted by Saksham are ready to bloom into a garden of hope and prosperity for communities across India.