View allAll Photos Tagged CommunityDevelopment
Pilsen is considered Chicago’s center of Mexican-American life and here at El Zócalo, Pilsen’s own town square located south of 18th Street and Paulina, its heritage is celebrated by picturesque murals and events that bring live music acts and dance performances throughout the year.
The old Bohemian church in the plaza used to be St. Vitus Parish, a key player in the history of Pilsen’s community organizing as it spearheaded the first Pilsen Via Crucis (Way of the Cross, a march through the neighborhood on Good Friday) in 1977. St. Vitus closed in 1992 and now is home office for The Resurrection Project.
The Resurrection Project is a community based organization established in 1990 with a mission to build relationships and challenge people to act on their faith and values to create healthy communities based on community development, education and community organizing.
Omana hails from Kottayam and is a member of a World Vision Self Help Group (SHG). The SHG played a vital role in awakening the latent enthusiasm among women. It is a ray of hope for many women as they get the needed moral support and also find a way for income generation programs. Through various capacity building programs, women are taught to be bold and face all challenges wisely. They are given skill training and self-employment opportunities, thus contributing towards enhancing their income. The women in this SHG have gone a step ahead and have even ventured into the field of driving.
Omana’s husband met with an accident a year ago, making it difficult for him to continue his job. At this situation, Omana shouldered the responsibility. She began working as a daily-wage labourer. However, feeding 4 mouths (2 children, husband and mother-in-law) with her little income was not an easy feat for Omana. At this juncture, thanks to the counseling sessions conducted by SHG, Omana got an interest in auto driving. SHG paid 50% fees towards her auto driving course. She successfully finished the course and obtained the license. Later, SHG also helped her purchase an auto.
Omana now earns income through driving auto. She feels very happy about her new work. Women and girls call her over phone whenever they want to travel as they feel very safe with her. “Thanks to the timely intervention by World Vision, my life has changed. I now feel confident and am able to overcome all challenges in life,” says Omana with joy.
Gusti Tri Putu Agus Wiyantara in full control of the ball during a practice session at the BFIA Campus, Kalimantan.
Recently spotlighted by a Chicago-area market research firm study, Pilsen’s 18th Street commercial corridor is one of the city’s most promising retail hubs. The neighborhood’s distinctive buildings, with their carved stone lintels and decorative gables, underscore the Bohemian and German influence of the first immigrant settlers. Currently, these historic structures house a vibrant mixture of Mexican-owned businesses that have positioned the area as an exciting destination for dining, entertainment, and the arts.
Ananda Velli is also a part of a Self Help Group (SHG) initiated by World Vision India. With a loan from the SHG she constructed a tin roof over her workspace so she can work even during the rains. Kavya who is studying in her 8th standard has a little sister Kirti studying in the 4th who is a world vision sponsor child. Venu their father bursts into life when asked how World Vision India’s economic assistance has helped his children- “school fees, uniforms, good food and clothing, why I even send my elder daughter for tuitions.”
“Most widows live just of the income of coir rope making,” says Lovegy Paapachan, World Vision staff who works in Vechoor. “It is an ancestral occupation and world vision has made it more profitable by providing these coir rats,” he adds. The locals also don’t have to worry about raw materials or sales. There are dealers who provide them with the raw coir for free and then after the product is made, the same dealers buy the product from them.
Kavya, still hides behind her mother, but when asked what her interests are she says- “Badminton (long pause)I won 1st prize in a cultural program, I danced with my friends and we won the competition,” she finishes with a flourish. Surprisingly her mom does not want to be left out. She won a fancy dress competition organized by her SHG. What did she dress up as? “A police woman,” she says with a smile