Dolcy, born on 30th October 1970 in Mumbai to Mr. & Mrs Fernandes. Supportive parents, Dolcy Simon was given the freedom she needed. Equal opportunity- be it for education, sports, games or career options was not just preached but practiced. What moulded her to be the person she is today is that she got the freedom to explore what she decided to do without the feeling of being judged.
Tragedy and way forward!
Sadly, Dolcy’s father passed away while she was still in primary school. Her mother took on the mantle and Dolcy noticed through those young eyes and understanding on how she took things forward. She handled her multiple roles with grace and conviction. A lecturer, a textile designer and of course a homemaker and an amazing mother. This influences Dolcy’s growing up years to a great extent. Today Dolcy is a friend, soul mate and guide, protective but not an overbearing parent to her 21-year-old daughter Rueeva.
Formative years
With freedom comes a sense of doing ones best. Dolcy became an all-rounder in school. Social circles, sports, academics prioritized well, she also understood her responsibilities both at home and outside very well. This made her a popular figure in school. She cleared her grade X with flying colours and opted for Humanities stream. A brilliant student like her opting for this stream over science was rare. Her family made her believe that one’s individual choices always comes 1st and with that one needs to accept mistakes and learn from them. Early in life, she understood the importance of being self-governing, cultured & fiercely independent. Dolcy, gives credit to her upbringing where respect for individuals, religion and tolerance is the only way to creating a peaceful world. Dolcy’s daughter is fortunate to have such inspiration in the house and learn from what she sees her mom preaching and practicing.
Choosing a career
Just as most students, at the crossroads of 12th grade she was unsure on which path she wants to follow. The underline urge to be with people and help the less privileged and less fortunate was her pointer. An interaction with a visually impaired individual showed her the path, ironic in a way. She made up her mind – Social Services it was.
She cleared the entrance test with great scores and took up Bachelors of Social Work in one of Mumbai’s most prestigious college Nirmala Niketan College of Social work. Knowledge gained from a professional degree helps hone the ability to understand needs and sufferings of those underprivileged.
Loss – irreparable yet life has to go on
Tough times in life helps refine and, in a way, chisels your personality. Dolcy’s mother too sadly passed away and that was indeed a tough phase for her. Life seemed to hit a wall but her Principal Dr. Hazel D’lima and her teacher Dr. Lillian Menezes were the candles that lit up her dark tunnel. Struggles she believes only make you stronger and every situation, however bad has to end sometime or the other. Every human, Dolcy believes is worth something and there is no time, age or boundary for one to improve and become a better version of themselves. Dolcy counsels many youngsters who think they have hit the dead end.
Shifting lanes and moving cities
From not knowing a single individual in Vadodara to being one of the most well-known and respectable Social Workers in the city, Ms Dolcy has travelled a long way. Challenges do not deter Dolcy. Her first assignment was in a small town called Vaijapur in Aurangabad. In her presence, lives of orphans and destitute were changed besides her support to adolescents made a huge difference. Education and emotional support helped in moulding the lives of these people with whom Dolcy was associated. A life giver and life changer in her they saw.
To quote Gordon B. Hinckley, “The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others.” That’s what happened with Dolcy, working with them made her realize how one sees one’s own issues with a different perspective. She kick-started the project for women facing abuse. She tried a reverse psychology by educating and changing the mindset of men, hence making a difference to their outlook itself. Involving the youth gave them a sense of inclusion.
A partner for life adds substance
Subsequently Dolcy moved out of Aurangabad to pursue her Masters in Social work from the Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. She made a lot of new friends and during this phase met her husband, Sylvester Simon. His perseverance, sincerity and passion for his work attracted her to Sylvester. He was a completely self-made man.
Adding value and spreading goodness
Though he was not in the same field as her he made it a point to volunteer regularly. Marrying him and having his support in achieving her goals was for Dolcy literally a blessing from the Lord. Dolcy began doing more on her professional front. She was associated with CRS for the state of Gujarat overseeing rural and tribal work in field of mother child health care and water conservation. Dolcy then worked with Habitat for Humanity India & led United Way of Baroda for 7 years as the Executive Director. She, subsequently had to resigned for a personal medical emergency.
Mrs. Dolcy Simon presently is the Managing Trustee of a NGO –VYOM. She has always been associated with this unique project. She was instrumental of establishing Toy Rooms in hospitals. It took a bit of convincing as the concept was new. However, with this distraction the children not just recovered faster but the fear of being in a hospital was reduced. Many hospitals followed this format and introduced toy rooms and play areas for kids in paediatric wards.
Another project called the “School on wheels” was developed by taking inspiration from similar projects in Mumbai and was introduced in 111 Municipal schools in Vadodara. 7 village schools also adopted to play-way method of education. Education to the child was well accepted and appreciated by teachers and students. Dolcy and her team takes on challenging issues and works with people in rural areas. Child/early marriages, women support/ development, skill development, vocational training school development, waste management and so on.
In all her assignments she is often called a change maker and has always been promoted to the next level because of her strong work ethics, commitment and her believe that small steps can make a remarkable difference. She leads by examples. She believes that care and concern elevate humankind and learning through experience is what enables individuals to grow.
Awards & Accolades
Rewards and Recognition, many in her kitty. However, her best reward for Dolcy is being able to serve the underprivileged who are forever on the look out for a helping hand and a kind soul.
- Selected as a Torch bearer for the 1st Marathon in Vadodara
- Awarded the City Ka Sitara award in Vadodara 2019
- Awarded the Remarkable Women 2021 award for Social Work Contribution.
- Elected as the 1st women trainer for Family Commission for Vadodara diocesan
- Dolcy and her team were the brains behind India’s 1st accessibility fashion show for differently abled individuals in Vadodara and Ahmedabad
- Her team and she conceptualized & implemented the Concept of walk for Baroda the 1st
- She a founder core committee member in the Child Friendly Initiative Vadodara.
- She gives her services in many MNCs as an External Committee Member in the POSH -Internal Complaints Committee
Philosophy simple and straight
With the vast experience Dolcy has, and working with people at all levels she makes it a point to understand every other person’s outlook. Be in the company of good, well meaning people and avoid those who spread negativity or those who we term as toxic. She also believes success leads to power, influence but always be rooted, stay humble but have no ego, it hold backs people from accomplishing great things. Each of us needs to keep the child alive in us.
Hobbies by her side
Dolcy’s passion is social service but music helps calm the mind and improves performances both at work and home. Being in the company of her daughter and having friendly chatter is another part of her life she loves. She loves and enjoys mentoring students. Travelling is another area that is a huge big classroom. Travelling is the best teacher and Dolcy loves travel and indulging in time spent with nature.
Why and how? Life gives cues
She stated that it was impossible to choose one particular reason to love social work as a field but when an individual entrusts her with the responsibility to help them and bring a positive change in their lives inspires her to work even harder.
She believes that we live in a society that doesn’t always embrace and uplift those who need assistance, thus there is room for people who want to contribute in making the world a better place. On an ending note she thanks God for the gift of providence, her family for being her strength, her friends for their love and encouragement and her acquaintances for their good will. “There is incredible value in being of service to others” – Elizabeth Berg, This quote sums up Dolcy’s persona in one line.
Website – Vyom Foundation
