SELF-HELP GROUPS

Peoples Organization: KSSS gives top priority to animation programs starting from the grass-root level aiming at the total development of the people and their community. Following the example of Jesus, who is our model and guide for social work, we concentrate on the under-privileged in the society and organize them in small groups. We help them to analyze their social situation and to work out best possible ways for their liberation from bondage and to work for their integral development. We also concentrate on evolving their leadership and train the leaders so that the groups become self-reliant. Promotion of Participatory approaches has been the prior concern and focus of KSSS. Participation has become the most vibrant concept in the developing communities. Participatory approach has become an innovative and indigenous way to promote sustainable development. To achieve the goal an effective structure is a must for participation. We believe in people’s participation as it has great influence and access to the resources, which can make them sustainable and improve their living standards.

 From 1994 on wards Kottayam Social Service Society give priority to organize the self-help groups in its operational area. Thanks to the charismatic leadership of Fr. Abraham Mutholath, the former Secretary of Kottayam Social Service Society from 1994- 2000 who gave a new vision and development strategy to Kottayam Social Service Society. KSSS organized rural and urban poor in 76 villages under 8 regions in five districts. SHG meetings help the people to form a forum to understand and analyze their problems, and make use own talents to search for solutions collectively, to experiment various models and to make their own decision on all things related their life.

PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATION

KSSS give priority to organize and empower the unorganized village poor in 76 villages for their Integral Sustainable Development. The trained village animator organizes the people below poverty line in each village in small groups.  KSSS facilitate to analyze the social situation of the villages and village people and work out best possible means for their integral development. We concentrate on enhancing leadership in the groups and training the leaders for the sustainability of the people’s organizations.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF SELF-HELP GROUPS

 # Regular meetings and awareness programmes # Savings and Micro- credit # Capacity Building and Leadership Promotion Trainings for empowerment # Alternative Life style practices and income generation programmes  # Networking of groups  for collective action # Health, Social and Gender based programmes and cultural events.

SELF-HELP GROUPS AT A GLANCE

 To address the specific felt needs of the target groups KSSS has initiated groups for various categories of people with developmental needs. They are:                                          

WOMEN DEVELOPMENT GROUPS

Development of women is one of the top priorities of KSSS. We have initiated since the formation of self-help groups of women with the cooperation of paid animators and coordinators. At present we have 817 women groups with an average of 25 members each. So the total number of direct beneficiaries is 20,425 and their family members are indirect beneficiaries. We have 64 full time animators and 11 coordinators for this purpose. They are in the process of forming more groups. Groups in each Panchayat are also registered under Charitable Society's Registration Act. All the groups have started credit unions where the members save their expenditure and credit the money in their account for future income generation programmes or for unexpected emergencies. All  groups have income generation programmes individually or collectively. All groups meet once in two weeks and discuss their social, economic, political, and cultural issues. They try to solve their problems that they have been unable to do individually.

AGRICULTURAL GROUPS

KSSS has organized several farmers clubs in Hi-range region of Idukki District. Each group consists of 45 members with farmers, women, and youth. They also have credit union deposits. These groups aim at integral development of their village with special emphasis to agriculture. They have initiated group farming, watershed management, and income generation programmes. Twenty-one animators do voluntary service for the betterment of these groups.

COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES

Besides the institutions for the physically handicapped and mentally retarded, we have  Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes for the handicapped and for the mentally retarded in 40 villages. Our well trained  field workers visit houses, conduct surveys and help all the handicapped. Each coordinator regularly trains eight handicapped students each.

SELF-HELP GROUPS OF SENIOR CITIZENS

Instead of building more old age homes, KSSS gives priority to their community based rehabilitation. In every village KSSS is organizing senior citizen's groups and help them to support each other.

NAOMI GROUPS

KSSS also organizes widows, and other ladies who have to bear full family responsibilities to organize in groups and to deal their issues collectively.

SMART GROUPS

According to this programme, children of self-help group members are specially trained on Saturdays so that become as competent as the children of high class families. They are also given training on social and moral values to become good citizens. 

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Last modified: 09/26/10