There’s a special kind of energy that fills a room when grassroots leaders come together — not just to share challenges, but to build each other up. This was the spirit that defined RISE—BREADS’ Capacity Building Workshop for Coordinators, held on 4 – 5 April 2025 at Don Bosco Provincial House Bangalore.
Across two vibrant days, 25 project coordinators working across various BREADS initiatives in Karnataka, for vulnerable children and communities — Mobile Clinic, MINDS, CSN, Alternative Care, JCI, ECO and CLEP projects— set aside their daily duties to invest in something equally important, themselves.
The formal inauguration, led by the esteemed BREADS leadership team, set a powerful tone for the workshop, with Fr. Joy Nedumparambil, the Chief Guest and Director of BREADS, delivering an inspiring address on the essence of leadership and community-driven change. His words resonated deeply, urging participants to take ownership of their roles as change-makers and to lead with vision, responsibility, and a commitment to transforming their communities.
The trainings, led by esteemed development professionals such as Fr. PS George (Executive Director of BREADS), Ms. Renita D’Souza, Fr. Prasad, Ms. Joyce, Fr. William, and Mr. Benny, facilitated participants to become proactive advocates for change, motivating them to become active defenders of community
Key topics covered a wide range of essential topics, including solution-focused communication, leadership strategies, innovative approaches in social work, goal setting, team management, social media advocacy, and project management fundamentals. Delivered by experienced trainers, the sessions emphasised practical skills, critical thinking, innovation, and personal leadership, empowering coordinators to enhance their fieldwork with greater efficiency, empathy, and impact. Interactive group activities and sharing of personal experiences helped the participants gain real-world insights, practical tools and strategies to make a lasting impact in their communities.
The workshop wasn’t about lectures or one-way talks. It was about conversations. About real field experiences. About learning new leadership skills, discovering new ways to engage communities, and strengthening their ability to make a difference where it matters most.
Ms. Geetha, a coordinator from Kalaburagi, said it best:
“Before this, I felt I had to solve everything alone. Now I realise that leadership is also about asking the right questions, building a team, and walking alongside the community.”
Coordinators left not only with practical action plans but with a renewed sense of purpose. Investing in our coordinators is an investment not just for the present but also the future— in stronger communities, in resilient children and women, and in a development process that is authentic, participatory, and sustainable.
This workshop was just the beginning. The journey to build stronger leaders continues — one conversation, one idea, and one community at a time.
