Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Project Management Training for Claretian Independent Delegation of Indonesia-Timor Leste was conducted by the General Mission Procurator, Fr. Lord Winner, CMF at OMI Retreat Centre, Yogyakarta, Indonesia from 27th to 30th of August 2019. The participants of the training were 18 priests, 9 students of Theology and one Sister from the Religious of Mary Immaculate Congregation (Claretian Sisters).
Fr. Francesco Jose Baeza Roca, CMF (Econome and Mission Procurator of the Delegation) on behalf of the Major Superior of the delegation inaugurated the training inviting the participants to work towards self-sufficiency of the delegation through pastoral and social projects. Fr. Lord Winner, CMF explained the objectives of the training as to arrive at a clear understanding about project methodology used by the Congregation and to start preparing project proposals for the needs of the mission.
The training focused on various components of projects, study of the formats of Mission and the General Mission Procure, organizational structure needed to implement projects and how projects need to be designed using the sustainable development goals ( SDGs). The steps needed to be taken by the missionaries to move from charity-based approach to rights-based approach were also explained using the theme ‘not only leading people to Heaven but making Heaven on Earth’. The Trainer dealt in length on the functioning of the Mission Procure and the criteria used by the Congregation for managing projects.
The staff of Caritas Germany working in Indonesia were also invited to share about their project planning process which enlightened the participants with concrete examples. Using the funding guide published by Mission Project Service (USA), the participants made a prospect search to enlist the possible funding agencies for a project proposal they prepared during the training.
The Evaluation done at the end of the Training revealed an increase in confidence among the participants to engage in projects. Many also expressed the need to continuously increase their knowledge and skills so that each community can prepare proposals in consultation with the people and send to the Mission Procure. The participants returned with the promise of sending one or more projects for the next project cycle of the General Procure, whose deadline falls on 31st January 2020. (Reported by: Fr. Paul Madoni, CMF)