Estd 1960

Quilon Social Service Society

47th Year of Service

“MARCH OF THE MARGINALISED FOR A NEW WORLD”

ANNUAL REPORT 2006-07

 A chirp into the year

● New office Building

● Jagat Jyothi Mandir
● Diocesan Perspective Plan Exercise
● Women in transformation for Development
● Alternative livelihood training
● Elder care
● Housing and Infrastructure
● Natural Resource Management
● Community Based Disaster Preparedness Project
● Child Care
● Suraksha – Anti Human Trafficking Project
● Emergency Assistance
● Response to disasters
● Family sponsorship—SAFP
● SPED
● Educational support
● Research and Documentation
● Social security
● Fishermen sangams
● Other Programmes
NEW OFFICE BUILDING AND CENTRE FOR CAPACITATION

“To be with the lost, the least and the last”

Most Rev. Dr. Stanley Roman
Bishop of Quilon
President
From the Directors Desk

The challenge faced by the nation as well as every

organization committed to contribute towards
national growth is to reach the global vision to change
the face of the world so as to introduce a system
entirely distinct from that which now prevails,
“where the desire and the motive for large and mighty
empires and gigantic armies and great
novices……..will die away …….where man becomes
one family and freely exchanges the fruits of his labour
with his ……man” (Richard Cobden – ManChester
Laberal). In a world dominated by the market
dynamics we are trying with similar organizations to
create an alternate economy and social system that
will place the common man, nay the marginalized to
the centre of the global search for a “new world”.

Tsunami has exposed the vulnerability of both our

operational area as well as our focus group. We have
been forced to reorient our priorities and rework our
strategies. The struggle to advocate for a growth
process that is more socially inclusive and regionally
balanced has strengthened our resolve to combat
domineering forces and to renew our commitment to
voice the concerns of the displaced, dispossessed,
disadvantaged and those with little access to the
avenues of growth.

This report is the story of the small steps we took to

walk with our stakeholders, our humble efforts to
unfold their aspirations and to pray for the bright dawn
of “a new heaven and a new earth where there will be
no more pain or tears” (Rev 21.4)

“To be with the lost the least and the last”

Fr. Romance Antony

Director
Revamping QSSS
New wine in new vine skin

J anuary 15, 2007 was a crowning moment in the forty

seven years of the journey of QSSS in the service of
the people, when Most.Rev.Dr.Stanley Roman the
Bishop of Quilon ushered in the Society to its new
Office complex. Way back in 1960 we began our march
from a simple office in the Bishop’s House till we
moved to own office in 1980. We did not hesitate to
transfer our office facilities for the noble cause of
training teachers in 2003. Foundation for the new
Office cum Capacitation Center was laid on 21-5-
2003. The new centre, with a plinth area of 1086 m2
provides space both for conducive office facilities and
for a capacitation centre and more professionalism to
respond to emerging concerns of the people that has
dawned on us.

JAGAT JYOTHI MANDIR

Centre for religious harmony
In a country battered by religious and communal
divisions it is the mission of voluntary organisations Inauguration of Office

Jagat Jyothi Mandir, Social Amity Center on the eve of inauguration

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 4 I

to champion the cause of harmony, amity and of the ground realities as also to search viable
dialogue. The Development Education Center of QSSS development alternatives. The final draft of the
received a new impetus on January 26, when a very Diocesan Perspective Plan will shortly be presented.
unique Mandir christened as “ Jagat Jyothi Mandir “
was consecrated by the Bishop of Quilon The Mandir
is designed to function as a centre for inter religious
dialogue. We are offering the facilities for promoting
discussions by people of various religions on
contemporary issues of social relevance and to strive
for common approach on social transformation.

DIOCESAN PERSPECTIVE PLAN

Leading the Diocese to a new Phase
QSSS has set in motion a process of PERSPECTIVE
PLANING AND STRATEGY DESIGNING so as to
keep pace with emerging trends in the Development
sector and to respond to the issues of the poor and
marginalised in our time. Caritas India and Kerala
Social Service Forum provided the necessary
guidelines in this process of meeting the challenges
and chalking out a new identity for the organisation.
We have been able to put in place a database about
our reference groups and to compile their concerns.
We resorted to Participatory tools to identify problems
and to fix the objectives.
Following process has been completed in the above
line
● Socio economic survey and interpretation of the
above
● PLA exercise in 66 Parishes/ units
● Analysis and interpretation of Resource Map, Venn
diagram, Seasonality calendar prepared at parish/
unit level.
● Problem Analysis {Matrix Ranking }
● SWOT Analysis of the DSSS
● Preparation and ranking of the objectives churned
from PLA.
● Drafting of policy and sector wise interventions.
● Identification of strategies.
A diocesan level perspective plan work shop was held
on May 29-30, 2006 for wider discussion and analysis
Villagers of Neendakara preparing the Resource
Map as a part of DPP
“We earn 1000 Rupees per month”
Proud Voice of the members of Samrudhi SHG
No 22 rocks us. Ten Coastal women from weaker
economic background came to form a Self Help
Group under the banner of QSSS in
Thirumullavaram. Community organiser
facilitated them to start a cut piece selling unit.
Mobilising Rs 2000 each they started the unit
with an initial investment of Rs 20,000. They
approached the people’s bank of QSSS for a
loan and we delivered them Rs 20,000.
Improvements in the sale were noticed and they
approached a lead bank in Kollam and got
Rs.30, 000 as loan. Within one year they repaid
the loan from QSSS and lead bank and now they
are getting Rs 1100 each as profit. Innovative
ideas put by QSSS team helped them to start a
shop in Thirumullavaram. Women are planning
to open a chain of cloth cut piece cum tailoring
shops in neighbouring villages.

I 5 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

Women in
Transformation for
Development
Line up to shower prosperity to million families

E mpowering women is an
indispensable tool
development and reducing poverty.
for

Three decades back we embarked on

a scheme to eliminate gender
disparity and to place women in the
vanguard of the development march.
Pro-active role to organise women for
self-dependent growth, credit
mobilisation, bestowing them
negotiating power, promotion of
income generating programmes etc
has no doubt set in motion a silent
revolution. In the reporting year we
have clubbed all our initiatives in
women development under one
umbrella called “Women in
Transformation for Development”.
The new department strives to
combat gender disparity and place
women in the vanguard of the
struggle for development. We are
also exploring new vistas for
empowering women through
entreupreunral development and
creative interventions in social
re-construction.

SAMRUDHI

Savings and credit networks that

were set in motion a quarter century
back are sustained through new
logistics. The pool of Savings and
easy access to credit at affordable
terms is a powerful weapon in the
hands of the underprivileged in their
tryst with destiny. 34,241 women
have lined up to create models of
development.

Coir Making Unit

Self Help Groups
Developing counties have found in Self Help groups
an easy route to poverty eradication and social
transformation. Democracy has found new utterance
and development has been placed in the hands of the
marginalised .The combined power of the small
groups has to be harnessed to be an alternative to the
culture of hegemony preached by the new imperialism
of globalisation.
I 7
The grouping of women into Self Help Groups has
been hastened and new ground has been explored in
the reporting year. 22,776 women have been
networked into 1,449 Self Help Groups for shared
growth. Women SHGs have become a force to reckon
with in the march to development
ANWESHA Federation of SHG’s
A sense of coordination has been attained to
the SHG’s after the launching of Anwesha. In
the field level the women have got a platform
for developmental activities. Election of
representatives was done in all zones and the
central federation leaders were selected for
smooth running of this Social Accounting and
Networking Platform.
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I
Prachodini (DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENURAL DEVELOPMENTS)

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Does even more...

E conomic empowerment may be considered the

entry point to a sustained process of emancipation.
Members of our Women Network are taking keen
interest in setting up income generating ventures.

Book Binding Unit

Group initiatives by Self Help Groups are positive seen a surge towards economic activities that will
signs of the collective march of the marginalised to empower women, which in turn will result in Gender
attain sustainable development. Reporting year has Equality.

Incom Generation Programmes Entrepreneurship Development Programmes

Trade Groups Individuals Trade Programme
Grossary 49 20 File and Folder Making 24
Dry fish Units 51 25 Book Binding 36
Coir Making 64
Tailoring 32 22
Rabbit Rearing 24
Animal Husbandry 0 13
Garment Making & Embroidery 62
Others 23 42 Jute Bag Making 20
Total 155 122 Total 230

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 8 I

Alternative Income
Generation Project
The new road map to development

Training on three wheeler driving – Alternative Income Generation Project

E mployment creation must be an explicit and

central objective of all economic and social
reconstruction efforts. Realising that unemployment
is the core issue behind under development we have
framed many projects for youth in association with
ILO, FVTF, CHAI and ILead.
TRAINING FOR ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD
In association with United Nations team for Tsunami
response and Support {UNTRS } and International
Labour Organisation , QSSS has launched a project
to generate new and alternative employment by
improving skills, imparting new skills and creating
an employable army of youth ready to fight poverty.
The project aims at creating alternative employment
opportunities having specific objectives of
diversification of coastal economy through alternative
employment opportunities; expansion of human and
social capital for ‘employability and inclusion of
vulnerable groups such as women headed households,
physically and mentally challenged persons belonging
to the underprivileged sections of the society and
improve the skills, competencies of existing human
resources to get high reward in terms of money,
efficiency and utility.

I 9 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

Nursing our mama, FVTF trainee caring at an old age home
 ● Post training services through placement, bank linkages
for self employment

FUNCTIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING FORUM OF

INDIA
Drop outs from coastal areas of Kollam are selected for the
alternative income generation trainings conducted in
association with FVTF. 98 trainees were taken for this project
and were given training.

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

“Thejus – a sheer model of self Help for Keeping the idea of reduction of unemployment in the
economic reconstruction” coastal areas of Kollam QSSS in association with CHAI is
offering training on four trades to 251 peoples from Kollam
Womenfolk in palakadavu spent much of
their time in unproductive purposes till and Aleppey.
QSSS ventured into the field. Eight
members from the locality formed the Institute for Livelihood Education and Development
group and they were given training in Findings of the Suraksha project brought to lime light that
Mushroom cultivation. Group members drop outs and discontinued youth in Kollam are increasing.
shares that they never thought they would In order to create employment opportunities we sent selected
be able to cultivate a product which is so drop outs and discontinued youth to Institute for livelihood
demanded in their locality and could earn education and development at Trivandrum. This project was
a decent livelihood. Motivated by the in partnership with Aide et Action.
training programme they mobilised Rs.17,
000 inter nally and made use of an
abandoned shed for mushroom cultivation. Livelihood Training Provided
Twenty five mushroom bags earned them Partners Trade Trained Placements
a profit of Rs. 150 daily. They planned for
M F
door to door selling and distribution to near
by shops but surprisingly all the stock was DTP 13 17
sold in no time. The group is planning to Mushroom 0 32
expand the enterprise with facilities like In next
ILO-ALP- Cultivation reporting
more spacious and semi permanent UNTRS Building 0 30 year
building. Mrs. Sulochana the group leader
materials
says ‘we need to increase the number of
bags to 100 at a time and will link our group Three Wheeler 21 6
with credit facilities. Thejus group has Plywood Boat 11 10
inspired other women in the area and they Making
have moved forward for setting up such Out Board 22 0 20
units. FVTF Engine Repair
Masonry 0 45 37
Project area
Home Nursing 0 20 15
Project is being implemented in five wards of
Alappad and entire 22 wards of Chavara Grama Coir Making 0 96 90
Panchayath. Coir Handicrafts 0 33 29
CHAI
Garment Making 0 66 57
PROCESS Fish Products 0 60 53
● 26 ALP awareness programmes were
Automobile 7 0 7
organised.
● 25 Rapid Community assessments were done BPSA 0 5 3
iLead
in the project area. ITES 2 6 6
● 225 youth from SHG’s are to be selected and CRS 0 2 2
trained in two years time under seven
16 Trades 76 418 329
distinctive trades.

I 11 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

Elder Care Department
Caring the aged with love and dignity

T sunami brought elders to the frontline not only

for relief and rehabilitation but also to provide
avenues for meaningful presence in society. In this
we were fortunate to find a suitable ally in
HelpAge International an agency working
exclusively for the cause and care of older
persons worldwide.

Our partnership began with relief to elder

persons and we have catered the needs of
elders. We moved to livelihood restoration
and 791 were assisted to set up income
generating projects.

Formation of Elders Self Help Groups

and Federation
The innovative venture for sustainable
development of elders was launched with
the formation of Elder Self Help Groups in
twelve villages – a new initiative to
increase the social, economic and
psychological well being of the elderly. We
are proud to present 98 ESHG’s the first of
its kind in Kerala development scenario. A
total number of 1185 elders have joined
together for shared growth.

PUNARJANI- The federation of ESHGs

Elder Self Help Groups Have been federated at
the village level and at the district level .As we
cover two districts we have formed a state level
federation called Kerala PUNARJANI Vayojana
Samithi (Reg. No – Q-444/07).

ECONOMIC SECURITY OF ELDERS—SEED

CAPITAL TO ESHGs
Seed capital grant to the tune of Rs 14, 65,000 was
disbursed to the graded SHG for starting income
generating activities.

VILLAGE ELDER CARE COMMITTEE FORMATION

Social Protection of destitute elders is ensured through
Adopted Granny in Azheekal VECCs. It is a community based approach for
 12
8

Floral tribute to deceased –

Tsunami commemoration at Eravipuram “I am self sufficient now”
destitute elder care. The committee provides food
Debacles always followed Mable
grains and medical requirements worth Rs.400 to 121
Amelian throughout her life.
destitute elders.
After twenty five years of married
life her husband committed
Grain Banking
suicide leaving Mable and her four
We have set up grain banks in 8 villages with a view
unmarried daughters and a mentally challenged
to ensure sustainability to the care of destitute elders.
son. She however managed to send all her
Concept is to trade with grain and provisions and
daughters in marriage. By that time Tsunami
pump the profit for ensuring food security of elders.
washed away her small hut and utensils used
Capital grant to the tone of Rs 6,98,197 was transferred
for fish vending and she was in despair. She was
to the VECCs for conducting grain banks.
in relief camp and returned home after the camp
was closed. Initially she started her occupation
Mobile Medical Unit
by taking loan from money lenders but soon
The mobile medical unit covers 18 villages. In the
found it as a trap. By this time the elder care
reporting year 6000 elders were catered to through
department of QSSS moved to field for the
this service’. 12 Super speciality camps were arranged
formation of Elder Self Help Groups and she got
for elders. 767 elders benefited from the camps.
fish vending utensils and capital grant through
livelihood restoration of HelpAge India and
Other significant programmes
QSSS. She joined the group and she got seed
● Seminar on building coastal MFI
money for fish vending also. Savings habit
● Elder’s week celebration
learned from the group helped her to avoid
● Advocacy for elders’ rights and entitlements
money lenders and she could have a sound sleep.
● Interface with Press
At the age of 67 she is earning for the family of
● Tsunami commeration
a widowed daughter, two grand children and a
● Seminar on disaster management
mentally challenged son.
● Workshop on social Protection of elders
● Exposure visits for elders to Tamilnadu

I 13 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

Tsunami Rehabilitation Housing
Bringing hope to shattered lives

Fr.Vargheese Mattamana handing over the keys to Hon. Chief Minister. Mr. V.S. Achutanandan.

M emories of the great disaster linger but the

response to the greatest disaster of our time was
apt and stands out as the single largest humanitarian
Mr.V.S.Achuthanandan the Hon. Chief Minister of
Kerala handed over houses to 300 families at Alappad.

intervention of the organisation. In partnership with

international aid agencies, QSSS was in the frontline Sponsors No of Houses
of RELIEF, REHABILITATION AND
CARITAS INDIA 445
RECONSTRUCTION in Kollam and Alappuzha
districts. CRS 83
OXFAM GB 41
The reporting year witnessed many a colourful and KOTTAYAM DIOCES 38
consoling functions where houses were handed over SVD FATHERS, 19
to a total number of 639 families .Of these 171 families
HOLY SPIRIT SISTERS - Pune 12
from Alappad and 39 families from Sakthikulangara
were relocated. It was a proud moment indeed when MANIMOOLI Parish, Mananthavady 1

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 14 I

COMMUNITY MOBILISATION ALONG WITH
SHELTER PROGRAMME

Our shelter programme found a new dimension by

introducing community mobilisation as an inherent
component aspects of which are detailed below:
● Consultation about the design of the house
● Formation of beneficiary committees
● Discussion and search for income generating
programmes and occupational sustainability
● Classes on health practices , waste management
and education of children Two Storeyed Disaster Resisitant House at
● Formation of Self Help Groups for sustainable Arattupuzha
development
Additional amenities provided in disaster
housing
Townships ● CYCLES FOR RELOCATED FAMILIES - A cycle
Townships for the resettled. It sounds each was provided for relocated families for easy
confusing. Is not it? But it is a reality QSSS has commutation to work place
constructed 12 townships. Social engineering ● INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR SHELTERS - We
was a key aspect of the houses QSSS built after have insured all the houses provided against
the Tsunami disaster. Not only in disaster natural calamities
resettlement but also in development induced
NEW SCHOOL AND NEW DREAMS
resettlement also we have followed the same.
R.C. Emmanuel Lower primary School Azheekal was
Our social engineering starts with the formation
destroyed by tsunami. Having provided temporary
of Project Management Committee of the
arrangements for twenty months, QSSS rebuilt the
beneficiaries in which they are the monitoring
agents of the construction. They demanded for
open spaces, parks, common well, Occupations
and formation of Self Help Groups. Most of
our beneficiaries are fisher folk and the PMC
demanded for facilities like Anganwady and we
were able to build Anganwadys near to the
townships. Self Help Groups are in the full
swing and the income generation programmes
have been triggered off. The Post Habitation
Maintenance committee the successor of the
PMC looks after the Habitat and maintains it.
Some townships have been also registered in
the same format of Residents association.
R.C. Emmanuel Lower primary School Azheekal

I 15 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

School with the support of the City of Oelde Germany,
Deena Seva Sisters Pattuvam & Malteser
International. The School founded in 1895 and the
alma mater for many a citizen of the disaster ravaged
village now enjoys all the modern amenities needed
for modern education. On August 28th 2006 the Bishop
of Quilon dedicated the school to Alappad Gram
Panchayath.
DEVIKULANGARA HOUSING PROJECT
With the support of CRS and the Govt. of Kerala We
have launched a housing programme for 29 families
in Devikulangara. Project proposes to provide habitat
to fishermen families living in isolated cluster of
islands in Kayamkulam Lake. Early completion of the
project is awaited.
REHABILITATION HOUSING SCHEME FOR
EVICTEES FROM GOVT. LAND
Twelve families evicted from Govt. land for road
widening in 2004 were settled as a joint venture of
state govt, Kollam Corporation and QSSS. New habitat
at Punthalathazham was handed over on 6th October
2006.
KOVILTHOTTAM REHABILITATION
Five families who were displaced in sea erosion in
2003, found new lease of life when they were ushered
into new houses on 3rd Jan 2007
HOUSE MAINTENANCE
In the reporting year 119 families were assisted for
house maintenance.
Minister for Water resources Mr.M.K.Premachandran inaugurating the RWH tanks
Road to Eravipuram
being washed away by
high tides
ERAVIPURAM SEA EROSION-REHABILITATION
PROGRAMME
Families who had to suffer the burden of the
catastrophic sea erosion in 2005 will soon move to
the new township. Constructions of the 99 houses
are in the final stages. Habitat Management
committees are in place and close monitoring of the
construction of houses are going on.
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Streams of water in tsunami ravaged village
RAIN WATER HARVESTING TANK
Alappad had always faced shortage of safe drinking
water. We had the proud privilege of presenting Rain
Water Harvesting Tanks to 100 families in the very
tsunami ravaged village. On October 6th 2006 the
bishop of Quilon presented the new facility and
Mr.M.K.Premachandran the minister for water
resources commissioned the project..
Community Based Disaster
Preparedness Project
Building resilient communities in the coastal belt of Kollam

Rescue training by fire brigade

H istory of the world is the story of man’s tryst

with disasters. “Survival of the fittest ‘is too
naïve a way of depicting the story of disasters and
how humanity has survived the disasters. Tsunami
has revealed to us the volatile shade of our existence.
As the natural sequence of relief and reconstruction
we ventured into a programme to build resilient
communities. Community Based Disaster
Preparedness Project is the expression of the
commitment of QSSS to the coastal community to
effectively manage disaster
Programme envisages that vulnerable communities
in the coastal area of Kerala affected by Tsunami
disaster are self determining, self reliant and resilient
acting in solidarity by the year 2010
Expected Outcome
The substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives
and in the social, economic and environmental assets
of communities and countries.
Strategic goals
● The integration of disaster risk reduction into
sustainable development policies and planning
● Develop and strengthening of institutions,
mechanisms and capacities to build resilience to
hazards.
● The systematic incorporation of risk reduction
approaches into the implementation of emergency
preparedness, response and recovery programmes.

I 17 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

 Earthquake preparedness
Along with high tide earthquakes are becoming
common in the reference area. We arranged classes
on preparedness in the wake of earthquake.

Community Mobilisation for bridges

connecting Alappad with the mainland
QSSS was selected by the Govt as facilitating agency
for community mobilisation for the construction of
two bridges connecting Alappad with the mainland.
Our task includes negotiation with landowners for
CBDP Review purchase of land.

Focus areas Legal literacy programme

● Promoting and strengthening community based
Minimum awareness on rights is essential for citizens
people’s organisation at different levels.
for early redressal of grievances and access to benefits.
● Capacity development of organisation, leaders and
Legal awareness classes were arranged at different
community members.
centers.
● Ensuring community involvement in situational
analysis and needs assessment.
● Facilitating communities get prepared to prevent
and mitigate disasters,
● Establishing networks with civil society
organisations and PRIs
● Experimenting pilot projects
● Formation of Emergency Response Teams (ERT)
as follows :
● Early Warning Team
● Search and Rescue Team
● Medical and First Aid team
● Relief and Rehabilitation Team
Flood Management by Emergency
● Damage Assessment Team
Response Teams
● Co-ordination Team
The torrential rain in the last week of October
Rapport building with various govt. 06 resulted in flash floods in coastal wards of
departments Kollam Corporation. Our ERT lost no time to
Our CBDP department has established rapport with respond.
Govt.departments and local administration. The A quick overview of the response
programme is now supported by District ● Scan of affected areas and assessment of damage

administration and LSG’s. We are also getting ● Liasoned with revenue officials and PRI for

assistance for training of our task forces from agencies immediate relief
like fire force, police, coast guard, health dept. etc. ● Arranged local Schools as relief centers and
facilitated food supply from Govt and set
Chickungunya response community kitchens
Awareness classes were arranged at various centers ● Escorted the affected people to Camps

along with fogging, medical camps. Emphasis was to ● Special attention to the aged

impart education to prevent the spread of disease. ● Brought in district medical centers for

Waste disposal programmes were also arranged medical assistance and to prevent spread of
periodically. diseases.
● Arranged special care of children in the camps

Disaster prone area survey ● Took up the management of Camps

We have carried out a survey of the families living in ● Prepared the list of damage and submitted to

disaster prone areas in the entire coastal belt. Findings Government.

of the survey are being published separately.

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 18 I

Child Care
We care for the children
Prathyasha Kuttikootam are creating models in villages
K eeping in line with our objective of providing
conducive atmosphere for integrated
development of children, QSSS has ventured into a
novel scheme to cater to integral development of
children below three. We are specially targeting children
of fish vending women who go unattended. Six Kids
Centres called Kids Gardens have been set up as a pilot
project offering a package of child development.
I 19
CHILDREN’S GROUPS WAY TO FUTURE
We have been able to line up 1683 children in seven
villages into 84 groups called PRATHYASHA
KUTTIKOOTAMS. Provision has been made for
enhancing intellectual formation and to instil life
skills .Facilities for games and stress management are
also provided. Efforts are on to form Child Parliament.
Is this not the way to future……
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I
 Suraksha
Ensuring protection to women and children
Focus Group Discussion of Anganwady Workers as a part of Situational Analysis
G od’s own country is not spared from occurrences
of abuse to women and children. Globalisation
and migration have further intensified the threat to
sanity in social life. It is in this context that we have
set out to make strategic interventions to combat
human trafficking. Vernacular dailies are reporting
of increase in incidence of trafficking in Kollam.
Catholic Relief Services and DOS-Tip is funding for
this three year project.
In the first phase of the project a Situation Analysis
was undertaken in the coastal belt of Kollam
Corporation making use of the tools like:
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07
●
●
House hold survey – Questionnaire was prepared
to collect the data.
Unorganised sector survey – Respondents were
from Prawn peeling sheds, sales girls,cashewnut
processing factories, Coir making units,dryfish
units, fish vendors.
● Focus Groups discussions—PRI members,
Teachers, ICDS staffs SHG Leaders.
● Interviews with eminent personalities
● Village matrix – Peeped into the vulnerabilities
existing in our reference area.
● Polling booth - Instrument used to recognise the
attitude of common people.
I 20 I
 “My life is safe now and i
enjoy my schooling here”

Aswathy daughter of a separated

couple was staying with her
grand mother. A money lender
near her house came to know
about her vulnerability and
approached her offering better
education and stay. Money
● Data analysis and interpretations were done in
Lender was successful in brain
Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
washing her grand mother who was ready to
The research report was published in a meeting by
send her with him for better schooling. Self Help
the Minister for Labour and Excise MR. P.K. Guru
Group of QSSS was working near her house and
Dasan on 15th January 2007.
the members came to know about this incident
and after discreet enquiry understood that the
Findings of the study
money lender would take the girl to a house in
● Human trafficking exists in Kollam.
Trivandrum. Motivated by the Suraksha project
● Gangs involved in trafficking are relatively few.
the members identified the motive of money
● Individual trafficking agents are more.
lender who was a known trafficker in the area
● Gulf traffickers exist in Kollam.
and they acted promptly. They informed the
● In a particular area children are used as carriers of
animator of the Suraksha project and the ward
Drugs.
member. Animator along with the members of
● Sales girls in the cities are prone to abuses.
the Self Help Group visited her family briefed
● Parental abuses and domestic violence are in the
the grand mother of what was going to happen.
increase
Grand mother realised the fact, but expressed
● For illegal liquor business women are being
her inability to maintain Aswathy with out
trafficked in some pockets.
income. Members of the group met and decided
● Middle class women in a particular area were
to send the girl to a convent boarding. Animator
trafficked to make porn films.
of the Suraksha project with the help of
● There are child abuses & trafficking in places near
neighbours moved the girl to a convent
Go downs, flourmills, etc. where the attention of
boarding. After two months animator visited
parents are minimum.
the girl and found her in very happy mood.
● Another important issue found was some auto
Aswathy said to the animator “my life is safe
rickshaw drivers and school van driver’s abuse
now and I enjoy schooling here”.
school children.
● The MSM’s trafficking is in the increase.
● There are cases reported of parents’ channelsing
daughters into sex rackets.
living with HIV/AIDS are cooperating with the
● High risk behaviour people are increasing in
project.
Kollam.
The second phase of the project mainly aims to create
● Vulnerabilities of women which may make them
awareness on the issue of trafficking in women and
a prey to traffickers are also high in Kollam.
children. Making use of the Self Help Groups,
Cause and effect of the issues at stake was identified Kudumbashree, adolescent clubs, mothers meeting of
and discussions were held with a cross section of Anganwady, the campaign was initiated. Leaflets,
Society to evolve a suitable plan of action. Based on Brochures, posters and documentaries were made
the research report a vision draft was chalked out. available to public and the documentary was aired in
Our five years vision target aims to reduce the Local Channels.
vulnerabilities and to combat trafficking. Liaisoning Sensitization programme for journalists of Kerala
with the district administration is going on full swing. Union of working journalist, Kollam chapter was
Labour department, health department, police arranged to rope in the media for a larger campaign
administration and the Kollam Network of peoples for sanity in civil society.

I 21 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
While we clamour for and plan for structural change
and social engineering we cannot ignore the cry of
people for immediate needs. Our Relief fund operation
has tried to meet the challenge within the limitations
we are placed with.

Womens Day Rally

Women’s Day Commeration

March 8 – Women’s Day
Suraksha project observed the women’s day with
variety of programmes in joint participation with
Catholic Relief Services, Anwesha, and the YET ANOTHER INFERNO
Federation of Self Help Groups in Kollam and Fishing equipments were provided to fishermen who
District Level Federation of Elders. Message for lost craft and crew in a fire accident in Kollam coast
the women’s day was in connection with the
situational analysis finding, “Ending Impunity
– for Violence against women and Girls”. A rally
was held from the St. Josephs School Ground to
Maha Jubilee Auditorium, Jerome Nagar, Kollam.
Thousand of women gathered in the school
ground in the morning of 8th March 2007 for the
rally.
The public meeting started at 11.30 am. Bishop
of Quilon, Rt.Rev. Dr.Stanley Roman presided
over the meeting. In his presidential address
Bishop spoke to train our children so that the
new generation will always uphold the values of
women.
Kerala State Human Rights Commission
Member Prof: S Varghese inaugurated the
One months ration distribution for the victims of
function. In his inaugural address he quoted that
Vaddy fire disaster
while enforcing protection of women under the
Domestic Violence act, the basic human rights
of others shall not be violated. Mr.
Perumbadavam Sreedharan famous writer SREYAS
delivered the Key Note address -DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CENTER
Programmes at a glance:
● Career Development camps – 8
ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ● Awareness Class and Seminars – 12
CYCLONE ● Blood Detection Camps – 3
Several houses in Mavelikara zone were affected by a ● Health Camps – 2
severe Cyclonic wind on 29/03/06. We have been able ● Agricultural Seminar – 4
to provide assistance to repair the houses to affected ● Gramsabhas – 5
families.

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 22 I

Save a Family Plan
Outstretched hands to the lost, the least, and the last

SAFP Beneficiary

H ands of friendship and kindness are stretched

from afar-from Canada. Save A Family Plan has
over the years become the single largest harbinger for
families living in abject poverty. Many a destitute,
widow, deserted women, family with sick people etc
has found solace in this great plan of family to family
sponsorship. In the reporting year 80 families have
been inducted to this stream of kindness.

I 23 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I


Total families on rolls now stand at 443.
A sum of Rs 36,03,215 was mobilised by the
beneficiary families through various agencies for
productive purpose with the help of Animators.
Some of the other interventions of SAFP
● 89 families started IGP’s
● 86 families could construct/repair their houses.
● 18 families could send their children in marriage
● 81 families benefited for treatment
● 99 families benefited for education.
● 63 families could repay their loans.
● 7 families used assistance for other purpose
I can treat my husband now’
Lalitha the bread
winner of a family
of three girls and a
sick husband
shares her story.
Lalitha became a
beneficiary of
SAFP in a crisis
stricken situation
when her husband
fell ill and was looking for help. Being a SAFP
sponsored family they slowly came back to
normal life. With SAFP sponsorship and loan
taken from the local bank she started a coir yarn
unit herself. Economic status improved
gradually and she started saving for future. A
decent house was her dream and she approached
the local bank again. Being creditworthy the
bank along with the SAFP housing assistance
helped her to cherish her dreams. She was able
to give her husband better treatment and his
health status improved a lot and he also started
helping Lalitha in Coir yarn. Lalitha is now
looking forward to get her daughters married.
From ground zero she made this much. Is this
real empowerment?
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07
Rural women watering the saplings under SPED project
WATER SHED PROGRAMME
{Sustainability through Participation, Empowerment
and Decentralisation}
This is a research-oriented programme assisted by
Canadian International Development Agency. Project
focuses in creating interest and love in nature so as
to enable a community deeply rooted in environment
friendly aspirations. Project area is PARICHERRY, a
ward in East Kallada Panchayat. Through a variety of
interventions the project proposes to contribute to the
reduction of poverty by ensuring the management of
natural resources, increased educational status,
improved health and improved economic conditions.
Major activities of the project are given below:
● Formation of a watershed committee, training
and monitoring their activities
● Formation of 5 Nature Clubs in St. Francis
U.P.School, Koduvila
● Promotion of vegetable garden by the nature club
● Construction waste dumping pit
● Repair of houses -4
● Sanitary toilets -5
● Renovation of wells- 8
● Promotion of Kitchen garden through SHGs of
women - 20
● Promotion of organic farm through SHGs of men - 25
● Preparing & Distribution of IEC materials
PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD
INITIATIVES
● 136 units of income generation programme
were initiated under the project.
● Training programmes in EDP were imparted
to 184 persons
● Resource teams were formed and trained in
Gender Mainstreaming and Environment
Consciousness Building.
I 24 I
Education Assistance
F orming a new generation means equipping young
generation to take up positions in society. With
this broad perspective QSSS has supported education
programmes.
Career enhancement training to Prathibodhayam students
JOY SOWERS
Project was started in 1986 by those who wished to
place a smile in the faces of shattered children. We
are continuing our support to 22 children in various
streams like Nursing, Science courses, Computer
training, High school and higher secondary school.
PRATHIBODAYAM
This is an initiative of the Diocese to boost the
standard of education of the diocesan community.
Selected students are supported for education in
prestigious schools. Presently 37 students are
supported
PROJECT EXCELLENCE
Aiming the career development of the children in
Mavelikara region this project was initiated in 2003.
54 students were given free tuition. Eleven selected
I 25
students in Mavelikara zone are supported to upgrade
educational standards including coaching for entrance
tests.
SUPPORT TO STUDENTS FROM TSUNAMI AREA
Sixty seven students from tsunami affected area
studying in Vimala Hridya School Clappana are given
educational assistance. Scholarships for professional
courses like, Nursing, P.H.D, Health Inspector, MBBS,
Masters Courses, BDS, Dental technicians and MCA
were given.
LOAN FOR PROFESSIONAL COURSES
Loans were made available to 13 General Nursing
students and seven Bsc Nursing students from Lead
Banks in Kollam.
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I
Social Security
Bringing smile to battered lives

MAHILA INSURANCE
8514 women are members of this Central Govt
Insurance Scheme. 30 nominees got claim amount in
the report year.

NON-FORMAL EDUCATION FOR ENHANCING

Branch Manager, LIC P&GS unit distributing the
claims of Janasree Bhima Yojana.
JANA SREE BIMA YOJANA
We could reach a milestone by bringing ten thousand
families under Insurance coverage. The imaginative
project of Life Insurance Corporation of India has
brought a new dimension for our Development
package by assuring lives. An appended benefit of the
project is that 4475 students have become eligible for
education scholarship.
HAPPINESS IN LIFE
The continuing education Centre at Padapakara
continued to serve the village with fresh vigour. The
centre is working as Library, Information Unit. They
are organising Medical Camps, Eye Surgery camps,
Blood Group detection camps, Preventive Medicine
Distribution etc…
MEN SELF HELP GROUPS
We have been able to make progress in forming men
Self Help Groups. 488 inland fishermen were grouped
under 40 SHG’s for occupational empowerment and

Mrs. Lekha Raju, wife of deceased Mr.Raju

Vazhakootil receiving the claim amount
from Fr.Romance Antony Director. Mr. Raja
Das President of Alappad Panchayath is also
seen in the picture. Mr. Raju met with a road
accident on the way to Karunagapally. He
was a beneficiary of Tsunami Housing and
as additional facilities his family was
included in the Mahila Insurance Scheme.
The claim amount was delivered in a
shortest time of fifteen days.

I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I 26 I

 Several IEC materials were published
● Leaflets on anti human trafficking, community
based disaster preparedness’, women’s day
commemoration, Chickungunya
● Brochures on disaster preparedness, alternative
livelihood project
● Booklets on rights of women and children and the
vulnerabilities leading to trafficking, watershed
programme, disaster preparedness Posters on anti
human trafficking
● Documentary on rights of women and Children.
● Samrudhi quarterly bulletins
● Annual reports

stabilisation of traditional inland fishermen of

Karthikapally .Mavelikara. Chengannur Taluks of
Alappuzha district. Savings in the groups are
encouraging and efforts are on to make facilities for
credit linkages to free fishermen from money lenders
and provide viable alternatives.

MEN SHGS IN KARIKUZY

34 Fishermen in Karikuzhi were grouped into two
SHGs. Satisfied with the inter nal resource
mobilisation of the groups we have provided matching
grant to the groups for internal loaning

SAGARA—THE FISHERMEN SANGAM

We are making a re-entry into the tumultuous coastal
belt of Kollam by setting up a registered society for
fishermen groups with the objective of ensuring the
rights of fishermen on the fish produce, enhancing
collective bargaining and control on market. Sangams
acted as a Liaisoning unit for the registration of
fishermen with the fisheries department. The
federation is giving assistance to fishing nets and
repair of fishing boats.

RESEARCHES AND DOCUMENTATION

Four researches were initiated in the reporting year.
The reports are on the anvil.
1. Disaster Prone Area Survey
2. Diocesan Perspective Plan
3. Situational Analysis of Human Trafficking in
Kollam An inland fishermen in
4. Diocesan Survey Oyster Cultivation

I 27 I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07 I

Other Programmes
Minister for Health, Mrs.Sreemathy presenting the
award to Fr.Romance Antony.
MOMENTS OF RECOGNITION
Fr. Romance Antony, the Director received
recognition from many associations and foundations
for His contribution to social cause especially for his
leadership in tsunami relief and reconstruction. Worth
mentioning is the award bestowed by Thikurussy
Foundation award for Excellence in Social Work in
2006. The award was presented by Honourable
Minister for Health Mrs. Sreemathi. Another
cherishing moment was the Rotary Excellence award
for social work in Kollam city by the Rotary club
Kollam on the 17th November 2006.
IT EDUDATION
Computer sets were donated for three schools. A
computer was donated to Vaddy Coastal Public library.
LAND FOR HOMOEO HOSPITAL
Land was donated in Alappad Panchayat for building
Homoeo Hospital.
YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMMES
250 Youth participated in camps in nine villages.
Leadership developments, disaster management,
response to social evils were the subjects dealt with.
I Quilon Social Serv ice Society I Annual Report 2006-07
BLOCK PLACEMENT & internships FOR MSW
STUDENTS
In the reporting year 18 MSW students from all the
universities in Kerala and Bangalore University did
their field level study in QSSS
COMMUNITY HEALTH TRAINING FOR NURSING
STUDENTS
Nursing students from perumbuzha Mar Evanious
School of Nursing, Arinallor Loka Raksha School of
Nursing did their training in community health in
QSSS.
INLAND FISHERMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Preliminary work is under way to set up an Inland
Fishermen Development Center at Karikuzhi. Land
has been purchased for the purpose.
COMMUNITY DRINKING WATER PROJECT
A community drinking water project was
commissioned at Kanjiramcodu 3rd October 2007.
Project provides safe drinking water to 47 families.
ASSISTANCE FOR ANGANWADY
Two Anganwadys were rebuilt in the Corporation
area. Land was donated for an Anganwady in Kundara
Panchayat.
Newly constructed Anganwady
I 28 I
 Capacity Building
Programme for ESHG

Assistance to Nursing
Students

Partners in Development Cleaning Programme

● Caritas India
● Catholic Relief Services
● HelpAge India
● Oxfam GB Cycle Distribution

● Manos Unidas Spain

● Andheri Hilfe
● Italian Bishops conference, Italy
Eravipuram grain
● Malteser International, Germany Bank Inauguration
● Raskob Foundation, USA
● Indo Global Social Service Society
● OPAM, Italy
Street Play on
● Kindermission Werk, Germany Human Trafficking
● Misereor, Germany
● Catholic Health Association of India
● American Indian Foundation
● United Nations Development Programme Grain Bank
● International Labour Organisation
● Joy Sowers Belgium
● Andheri Hilfe, Germany
● SELAVIP Japan Fogging in coastal
areas
● CAPART
● City of Olde, Germany
● Functional Vocational Training Forum, Bangalore.
● Kerala Social Service Forum Women Masons in
Action
● Kottayam Social Service Society
● Govt of Kerala
● Corporation of Quilon
● Life Insurance Corporation of India Community Based
Rehabilitaion
● The New India Assurance Company
 Quilon Social Service Society is the official
organisation of the Catholic Diocese of
Quilon for social concern and development
of the people. It enjoys legal status having
been registered under Travancore Cochin
Literary Scientific and charitable Societies
Registration Act of 1957 (Q-137/60)

Thematic Areas
● Organisation of women into a creative force for
sustainable development
● Promotion of peoples bank for micro finance
● Skill development for alternate livelihood
initiatives
● Mainstreaming entrepreneur development
ventures with credit and market linkages
● Leading the destitute to planned development
through a package of sponsorship
● Providing conducive atmosphere for integrated
development of children.
● Support for excellence in education and career
orientation
● Shelter programmes to ensure decent habitat.
● Regenerative management of natural resources.
● Response to Disaster and Disaster preparedness
programme
● Combat trafficking and ensuring protection to
women and children from trafficking
● Social protection and sustainable development
of elder people.
● Promotion of Community Health initiatives

Printed and Published by Fr. Romance Antony, Director

Compiled by Jaimon C. Uthup, Project officer

Estd 1960
Printed at Printers Castle, Cochin 16

Quilon Social Service Society

Reg: No- Q 137/60
Fatima Road, Kollam – 691 013
Call – 91-474-2797428 (D), 2797438(O)
Fax- 2797438, Email – qsss@rediffmail.com
Visit us at www.qsss.org