Kerala Social Service Forum

Annual Report
2009 - 2010
29 year
29 year
th
th
of celebrating the networking experience

ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - 2010

Contents
6 Chairman's Message

7 From Director's desk

8 Homage to Great Shepherds

9 Building Perspectives

17 Bhakshya Samurdhy

23 CBDP
Vision
Growing into a vibrant

27 WatSan
resource centre of
excellence in social work

31
for the establishment of a
FARM Wayanad just society

35 IDEA
Mission
38 Research Capacitating of the partner
organizations through

41 Liaisoning
Animation, Training,
Knowledge dissemination,

44
Consultancy, Networking,
Women and Child Protection program Advocacy, Lobbying and
Research.

45 AMOS Centre
Objectives of Kssf
46 Advocacy ● Strengthen and professionalise partner
organaisatons
48 Spiritual Exercises at Taipei
● Facilitate the planning process of the
partner organaisations

52 Annual Accounts
●
●
Exchange of ideas and experiences
Strengthen the federations of
community based organisations
● Network with development actors
● Conduct quality training to address the
social issues
● Provide consultancy services
● Initiate policy dialogue, advocacy and
lobbying
● Conduct scientific studies and
researches
● Inspire and encourage the application
of science and technology in social work
● Develop new approaches in
development
● Monitor and evaluate the activities of the
partner organisations
● Declare solidarity to the struggles for
social justice
● Facilitate democratization process
through peoples participation
● Initiate and promote local resource
mobilization
Executive Board

Rt. Rev. Stephen Athipozhiyil Mar. Mathew Arackal Thomas Mar Koorilos
(Member, JPD) (Chairman, JPD) (Member, JPD)

Rev. Fr. Romance Antony

(Executive Secretary, JPD)

Rev. Fr. Main Melvettom Rev. Fr. Varghese Maruthoor Rev. Fr. Shaj Kumar. D

Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil Rev. Fr. Jacob Kattady Rev. Fr. Jose Venmelott Rev. Fr. Michael Vettikattu
Ex- officio members Associate members
1. Alleppey Rev. Fr. Siju P. Job Caritas India
2. Bathery Rev. Fr. George Vettikatil Indo Global Social Service Society
3. Calicut Rev. Fr. Sebastian Karakkat Catholic Relief Services

Nominated Members
4. Changanacherry Rev. Fr. Jacob Kattady
5. Cochin Rev. Fr Johnson Chirammel
6. Ernakulam Rev. Fr. Thomas Vaikathuparambil
1. Alleppey Mrs. Jenova Philip Thekkepalakkal
7. Idukki Rev. Fr Sebastian Kochupurakal
2. Bathery Mr. P.M. Pathrose
8. Irinjalakuda Rev. Fr. Jose Palaty
3. Calicut Mr. P Antony
9. Kannur Rev. Fr Benny Manapatt
4. Changanacherry Mr. Jose Puthupally
10. Kanjirappally Rev. Fr Mathew Paikatt
5. Cochin Mrs. Catherine Roy
11. Kothamangalam Rev. Fr Paul Choorathotty
6. Ernakulam Mrs. Annies P.J.
12. Kottappuram Rev. Fr Johnson Panketh
7. Idukki Mr. Joy Mathew Plathara
13. Kottayam Rev. Fr Michael Vettikkatt
8. Irinjalakuda Mr. Chacko Parekaden
14. Mananthavady Rev. Fr John Choorapuzhayil
9. Kannur Mr. Jesudas
15. Mavelikara Rev. Fr Jose Venmalot
10. Kanjirappally Mr. Saji Poovathany
16. Muvattupuzha Rev. Fr Geevarghese Melepidikayil
11. Kothamangalam Mr. Robin Antony Mundackal
17. Neyyatinkara Rev. Fr D. Shajkumar
12. Kottappuram Mr. Shinil P.C.
18. Palai Rev. Fr Thomas Valummel
13. Kottayam Sr. Linette
19. Palghat Rev. Fr Jacob Mavumkal
14. Mananthavady Mr. O.P. Abraham
20. Punalur Rev. Fr Roy Prakash B Simson
15. Mavelikara Mr. C.S. Reji
21. Quilon Rev. Fr Rajech Martin
16. Muvattupuzha Mr. Prasad .R.
22. Tellicherry Rev. Fr Mani Melvattom
17. Neyyatinkara Mrs. C.Lalitha
23. Thamarassery Rev. Fr Roy Thekumkattil
18. Palai Mr.V.L.George
24. Thiruvalla Rev. Fr Wilson Nirakandathil
19. Palghat Mr. Shaji T.J
25. Trichur Rev. Fr. Geo Kadavi
20. Punalur Adv. Jerome P
26. Trivandrum AD Rev. Fr Sabbas Ignatius
21. Quilon Mrs. Mary Latha
27. Trivandrum AD-M Rev. Fr John Vilayil
22. Tellicherry Mr. P.M. Devadas
28. Verapoly Rev. Fr Mathew Kallinkal
23. Thamarassery Ms. Bincy Mathew
29. Vijayapuram Rev. Fr Thomas Tharayil
24. Thiruvalla Mr. K.C. Mathai
30. Pathanathitta Rev. Fr. Christy Thevaravelil
25. Trichur Prof. Elizabeth Mathew
26. Trivandrum AD Mr. Hubert Pink
27. Trivandrum AD-M Mr.George
28. Verapoly Mr.Christy D’Silva
29. Vijayapuram Mr.K.P.John

Kerala Social Service Forum 4

Member Societies Organogram
1. Alleppey Alleppey Diocesan Charitable and Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council
Social Welfare Society Justice - Peace - Development Commission
2. Bathery Shreyas 1. Chairman
3. Calicut Jeevana 2. Two Elected Members
4. Changanacherry Changanacherry Social Service society
Executive Body
5. Cochin Cochin Social Service Society
1. Chairman
6. Ernakulam Ernakulam Welfare Services
2. Executive Secretary
7. Idukki Highrange Development Society 3. 7 Elected Ex-officio Members
8. Irinjalakuda Social Action Forum
9. Kannur KAIROS KSS Forum General Body
10. Kanjirappally Malanadu Development Society 1. Chairman
11. Kothamangalam Kothamangalam Social 2. Executive Secretary
Service Society 3. Directors of 30 Diocesion Social Service
12. Kottappuram Kottapuram Integrated Societies
Development Society 4. 30 Nominated Lay Members from DSSS
13. Kottayam Kottayam Social Service Society 5. Associate Members
14. Mananthavady Wayanad Social Service Society
Standing Committees on
15. Mavelikara Chetana Integrated
1. Tribal
Development Society
2. Gender
16. Muvattupuzha Samrudhy 3. Fisher-folk
17. Neyyatinkara Neyyatinkara Integrated 4. Good governance
Development Society 5. Environment
18. Palai Palai Social Welfare Society 6. Agriculture
19. Palghat Peoples Service Society Palaghat 7. Health
20. Punalur Punalur Social Service Society 8. Livelihood
21. Quilon Quilon Social Service Society
22. Tellicherry Tellicherry Social Service Society
23. Thamarassery Centre for Overall Development
24. Thiruvalla Bodhana
25. Trichur Social Action
26. Trivandrum AD-L Trivandrum Social Service Society
27. Trivandrum AD-M Shrothas
28. Verapoly Ernakulam Social Service Society
29. Vijayapuram Vijayapuram Social Service Society
30. Pathanathitta Anugraha Social Service Society

5 Annual Report 2009-10


“Today the subject of development is closely
related to the duties arising from our relationship to
the natural environment. Environment is God’s gift
to everyone, and in our use of it we have a
responsibility towards the poor, towards future
generations and towards humanity as a
whole.”(Pope Benedict XV1, Caritas in Veritate 48).
Environment has occupied the centre stage of
the road map f development and we are summoned to
pilot the flagship of eco- restoration.
The path of sustainable development is paved with
bold initiatives by the State blended with the advocacy
of the voluntary sector. The myth and reality of
development need to be exposed to arrive at a consensus
that will merge with the aspirations of the people. The
plethora of meanings and emphasis on development,
and the subsequent diverse implications pose questions
that bewilder us most often. Development should meet
the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The crux of sustainable development lies in the
conservation of the ecosystem. People’s ability to
maintain a spiritual, cultural or aesthetic relationship
with environment, including the availability of clean air
and adequate living space for all people should provide
the proper framework for the campaign on sustainable
development. It is desirable to have a paradigm shift
towards an ethos of sustainable relationship with fellow
human beings and nature, the flora and fauna. This leads
to what Pope Benedict XV1 calls covenant between
human beings and the environment, which should mirror
the creative love of God as an image of responsible
stewardship over nature (Caritas in Veritate 49, 50)
2010 is being observed as the International Year
of Biodiversity. The campaign on biodiversity the world
over provides a unique opportunity for demarcating the
frontiers of development. A development mode that
respects the concerns of the future generations should
be adopted by all the actors in the field. This is actually
a campaign for the survival of humanity, the survival of
the poor and the marginalized. Deforestation for decades
poses the danger of an oncoming desertification. We
have plundered Mother Earth to the extent of pushing
Kerala Social Service Forum
Chairman's Message
many species to extinction. The drive to conserve
depleting species in the agriworld is systematically
being blocked by groups and institutions out to take
monetary benefit from the crisis of the biomass. Fish
biodiversity, whether marine or inland waters, is another
concern that invites urgent intervention.
Ecoprotection is intimately attached to the
livelihood options of our stakeholders — be it the farming
community or the fishing community — and should be
addressed through the eyes and ears of people who are
already being thrown to impoverishment consequent to
a spiraling culture of biomassacre. As protagonists of
the Gospel of Life, the Diocesan Social Service Societies
and the Kerala Social Service Forum are called up to
lead a crusade for the protection of the world God “saw
that it was good” and gifted to humanity with a mandate
to protect it with all its pristine beauty (Gen 1.29-31) .
Kerala Social Service Forum has always been in
the vanguard of protecting nature and natural resources.
As latecomers in the field claim patent, let us not
withdraw from the field but surge forward with new
dynamism. Basically we are dealing with Resource
Management Systems. Traditional systems of resource
management provide good models. The introduction of
new technology must respect ground rules in the
management of resources. This applies to
microenterprises by Self Help Groups as well. People’s
participation is the most important instrument to protect
environment. Water management and waste disposal
are two areas where Diocesan Social Service Societies
should reincarnate as pastures for the apostolate.
Innovative programs in this are to be drafted.
As Pope Benedict says “The Church has a
responsibility towards creation and must assert this
responsibility in the public sphere” (Caritas in Veritate
51). We are sent by our divine master to “give life and
life in all its abundance.” As this network is flagged off
to another year of opportunities, let us rededicate
ourselves to this divine call.
Mar Mathew Arackal
6

As I present the report of yet another year of this
network, I am happy to present a program for the cause
of our beautiful land –God’s own country. Promoting
people’s participation in protection, maintenance and
regeneration of biodiversity should engage the prioritized
attention of this network. People have a right and duty
to protect nature and environment. Managing resources
sustainable in the local level is essential for achieving
the global good of sustainable development. However
grass root participation has multiple dimensions. First
in question is “the right of citizens to know and have
access to current information on the state of the
environment and natural resources, the right to be
consulted and to participate in decision making in
activities which are likely to have a significant effect on
the environment, and the right to legal remedies and
redress for those whose health or environment has been
or may be seriously affected” ( Brand t land commission
1987)
Presentation of environment impact study and
interface with people of local area is mandatory for the
sanction of any project. Transparency is critical in this
regard. Kerala has the rare distinction of having
abandoned a mega hydro-electric project in Silent Valley
on the basis of the risk of endangering biodiversity in
one of the rare biomass in our planet. The ongoing
controversy on Athirapally is significant in this regard.
The thermal Electrical Plant in Kayamkulam has resulted
in heavy loss of biodiversity in Kayamkulam Kayal is a
living example of industry intruding in to the reserve of
rare species.
Protection of nature as well as livelihood education
in environment biodiversity conservation must be taken
up by all DSSSs as a prime intervention area,
mainstreamed in to the over all awareness generation
of the community level organizations.
Conflicts over resource management and
environment concerns are in the increase. The epoch
making struggle of Medha Padkar in the cause of
environment and livelihood is a case of assertion by
people. The agitation by traditional fisher folk in the
coastal districts in 1986 moved the State government
to introduce trawling ban in monsoon, restrict night
trawling etc which are positive steps towards protection
of fish biodiversity. And yet over fishing continues,
7 Annual Report 2009-10
From Director's desk
unscientific fishing practices continue under the mask
of traditional fishing. Kerala’s Back Water and lakes
are turning to be graveyards of fish resources. Tourism
is shattering and polluting our waters. All the DSSSs
having marine area or inland water bodies in their
operational area are to creatively intervene for advocacy
measures hand in hand with like minded NGO’s in their
area.
Conserving Biodiversity in the agricultural sector
is multifaceted. Farmers are no more concerned about
traditional values that respected seeds, soil and climate.
Over farming mono-crop and disastrous use of chemical
fertilizers and pesticides are issues that are discussed
in workshops and media, even as farmers go unheeded.
Migrating from a despoiled land to fresh pastures cannot
be the answer to the present agricultural crisis.
People, culture and land are inseparable elements
of human ecology and as such they are a key to
sustainable development. Traditional cultures better
maintained the relationship between these three
elements. The sacred groves around our temples are a
beautiful testimony of respect to trees. We live in a culture
where soil, water, vegetation and animals form an integral
whole.
Environment resources are equally a source of
livelihood. Some of our partners successfully restored
abandoned water sources through simple techniques
and set models for eco-restoration in the just concluded
CBDP Program. Replication of such restoration is highly
recommended.
The political dimension in eco- restoration is an
inevitable factor to be dealt with. Framing of policies
and enforcement of laws rests with political power from
National Government, State Government to the Grama
Panchayath. In Plachimada, the political power exhibited
in closing the coco-cola factory on the ground of affecting
ground water is a story of people’s power in favour of
environment.
As the world celebrates the diversity of nature
and lining beings let us remember our mission to give
life –life in all its abundance
Fr.Romance Antony
 Homage to Great Shepherds

Rev. Fr. Mathew Thoyalil VC His Grace

Most. Rev. Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil.
Kerala Social Service Forum pays tribute to the memory (Died on 26th October 2009)
of Rev.Fr.Mathew Thoyalil V.C. who played the pioneering and
pivotal role in the formation of this state level Network and
He was the President of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council,
nurturing it with ennobling vision and enviable charisma being
was an internationally renowned academic, an expert on Indian
its chief functionary for a span of thirteen years. He was
Philosophy and Hinduism.
instrumental in forging unity among all the social service wings
of dioceses in Kerala and in developing common perceptions
He was a man of great vision and a vibrant leader piloting
leading to co-ordinated social and development ventures. It
the Kerala Catholic Church since 2007. His timely interventions
was indeed his farsightedness which enabled the Forum to
and guidance and contributions to the Kerala society had been
emerge as the harbinger of many an innovative initiative tailored
manifold and significant. We place on record his unfailing
to respond to development issues and thrust areas. Worth
support to this Forum.
mentioning in this regard are the Credit Union Movement and
Environment Campaign propagated throughout Kerala under
Kerala Social Service Forum, the networking and
his leadership. A terra firma was laid under his unfailing
coordinating wing of Justice Peace and Development
leadership for the Forum to mature as the collective voice and
Commission pays tribute.
conscience of the Catholic Church in Kerala equipped to devise
response to socio-economic issues concerning the state from
time to time. We the member organizations of this august Forum
thank God for the beautiful life and message of Fr. Mathew
Thoyalil and pray the Lord of life to grant him eternal life.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

Kerala Social Service Forum 8

Building Perspectives
Kerala Catholic Churches in retreat to formulate perspective plan
“Cogito ergo sum”…It is when ideas germinate
that human race reaches new heights. The journey of
Homo sapiens to the cyber global village has gone
through various vistas. Each generation is born with a
different perspective. The paradigm shift in the
perspectives of the voluntary sector is so fast that very
often many organizations fail to catch up with
corresponding response to the ever changing social
realities and emerging challenges.
Kerala Social Service Forum initiated a protracted
process to prepare a Regional Perspective Plan (RPP)
for the social and development sectors in Kerala, under
the auspices of the Catholic Church. This was an attempt
to put together our vision of development for the next
decade, considering aspects relating to development
needs, availability of resources, strategies for resource
allocation with a focus on the sustainability of
development results.
The RPP is destined to be flexible as it will leave
9 Annual Report 2009-10
scope for continuous on-course improvement. We hope
to build on strengths and results, rather than being
exclusively limited by pre-set objectives. Focusing on
the Sectoral development needs during the next five to
ten years, we hope to depart from piecemeal solutions
and project based approach. It is recalled that a similar
exercise was held in 2005 by the JPDC and KSSF to
develop a RPP. However, departing from the 2005
initiative, we have now begun with Diocesan Perspective
Plans and combine the same to formulate a regional
plan. It is our hope that the Regional Perspective Plan
for Development would become socially beneficial,
regionally contextual, environmentally sustainable,
financially feasible, institutionally viable and politically
acceptable, adopting an inclusive approach.
Methodology
1. Scanning of Diocesan Perspective Plan (DPP):
All 29 Dioceses have completed their exercise of
preparing DPP during the last three years. These
 documents have been collected and scanned to
derive common concerns, strategies and development
perspectives for Kerala.
2. Questionnaire survey and consolidation of data:
A comprehensive questionnaire was prepared and
responses from the dioceses were collected. Data
from these are tabulated and analyzed
3. Interactions with Diocesan Social Service
Societies: Interactions with Director and Staff of 29
Diocesan Social Service Societies were held to elicit
their opinions and responses on development issues.
4. Staff discussions at Kerala Social Service
Forum: Several rounds of staff level discussions were
held at KSSF regarding the RPP and conclusions
from these discussions are incorporated
5. Interactions with Church related Development
Organizations: Discussions have been held with
Caritas India, Indo-Global Social Service Society and
other similar national level lead NGOs.
6. Inputs from Experts and Advisors: Inputs and feed
back from sectoral and thematic experts was suitably
incorporated in the RPP document
7. Review and Revisit of RPP document: A Status
paper on Kerala was prepared and the RPP document
Kerala Social Service Forum
was reviewed while drafting the RPP document.
8. RPP workshop: The draft RPP discussed for
approval in the RPP workshop organized at Vazhoor.
The final document prepared based on the comments,
deliberations during the workshop and inputs from
the experts.
The processes of RPP identified the development
issues through participatory approach and assessed
the deficiencies in the prioritized sectors of development.
An alternative set of development strategies evolved and
prepared. The process helped to arrive at an acceptable
future direction for development. The process
supplemented to identify shortfalls in management skills
and capacities for achieving results.
Workshop on Regional Perspective Plan
Culmination of the exercise was the Regional
Perspective Plan Workshop held on 27-29 April 2009 at
Anugrha Renewal Centre, Vazhoor. His Excellency Mar
Mathew Arackal, Chairman, Justice Peace &
Development Commission inaugurated the function. Dr.
K. K. George, Director-Centre for Socio Economic
10
Studies, Cochin gave the key note address on the role
of Catholic Church in the issues and challenges of the GOOD GOVERNANCE
Development scenario of Kerala. Mr.T.A Varghese, FISHERIES
Development Consultant introduced the chief guest to ENVIRONMENT
the participants. Mrs. Lida Jacob IAS (Rtd), Mr. Kushal HEALTH
Neogy CRS India and Mr. K.A.Sebastian, State Officer, AGRICULTURE
Caritas India felicitated. Rev. Fr. Romance Antony TRIBALS AND DALITS
welcomed the participants and Rev. Fr. Joseph Oliakkatil, GENDER
Director, Centre for Overall Development extended vote
of thanks. Sectoral Perspective Plan Workshops
Objectives of SPP
Valedictory function of RPP workshop held on
● To find out the sector wise issues and problems in
29th April 2009. His Beatitude Baselios Mar Cleemis
Catholicos, Vice President, Catholic Bishops’ Kerala context
● To prepare Sectoral background paper on the
Conference of India presided the function. Concluding
remarks was given by His Excellency Mar Mathew prevailing issues/problems/conditions
● To promote the participation and involvement of
Arackal, Chairman, KCBC Justice Peace and
Development Commission. Rev Fr. Romance Antony, DSSSs in formulating focused prospective actions
Executive Director of KSSF presented the Regional Plan in each social development sector
● To identify the intervention areas of churches on
Declaration. Vote of thanks was extended by Rev Fr.
Jacob Kattady, Director, CHASS. various issues identified (sector wise) and to prepare
a draft plan

Workshop on Good Governance

Workshop on Good Governance was organized

on 26-27 October 2009 at AMOS Centre.
Representatives from 22 diocesan societies participated
in the workshop. Placid G, Director of SAHAYI facilitated
the sessions. Discussion on the Governance issues at
Panchayat Raj Institutions and at Diocesan
organizations was analyzed in the group sessions. The
workshop identified suitable strategies to address the
governance issues.

Workshop on Marine Fisheries

RPP Workshop came out with a historic

declaration which may be considered the Magna Carta
for the Church sector in socio economic development
for the next decade. The workshop identified seven
sectors and it was decided to conduct an in-depth
analysis of social development sectors in Kerala and
then to develop Sectoral Perspective Plan for the
interventions of the Catholic Churches in Kerala. Sectoral
Perspective Plan aims at an intensive analysis of
prevailing conditions in various social development
sectors in Kerala context. For convenience, the sectors
of intervention have been categorized into seven.

11 Annual Report 2009-10

 Perspective plan workshop on marine fisheries
sector was organized at Jubilee Animation Center,
Trivandrum on 3-4 Dec 2010. Objective of the workshop
was to generate discussions among the participants
about the problems pertaining in marine fisheries sector
and to formulate a draft plan for the marine fisheries
sector in Kerala. Special focus was given to the
livelihoods of fishermen in Kerala coasts. Task force
members from the CBOs formed under CBDP
programme and the point persons from the partner
dioceses participated. Experts from fisheries sector
contributed their valuable comments and suggestion to
formulate the plan document.
Workshop on Health
Two day workshop on health was organized at
AMOS Center on 17th and 18th November 2009. Main
objective of the SPP was to ensure safe and comfortable
feeling by increasing the awareness level on preventive
measures and accessible facilities, and thus to help
people to figure out their human rights and benefits.
There were 15 participants for the workshop from different
dioceses. The participants were staff with health and
allied programs and those rich experts who could
contribute to the discussion and workshop dynamics.
15 point strategies were by the end of the workshop.
Workshop on Environment issues in Kerala
Sectoral perspective plan workshop on
environment was organized on 28-29 at Amos Centre.
The workshop aimed to build a perspective on the burning
Kerala Social Service Forum
issues of environment degradation in Kerala.
Representatives from 14 partner organizations joined
the sessions. Dr. Abey George, Former Director of KILA
led a session on the prevailing environmental issues of
Kerala. Dr. John Mary, Development consultant
facilitated Group discussions to generate ideas on
interventions to address the locally specific environmental
issues. The workshop ended with the formulation of 13
point strategies to address the issues of environment.
Workshop on Agriculture
Workshop on the preparation of Regional
Perspective Plan on Agriculture was organized on 4th
February 2010 at AMOS centre, Kottayam.
Representatives from 29 partner organizations attended
the workshop. Sri. Thomas Chazhikadan, Honorable
MLA inaugurated the workshop. Fr. Thomas
Peelianickal was the chief resource person for the
programme. Mr. T. A. Varghese, Development
Consultant moderated participatory session in the
workshop.
Workshop on Tribals and Dalits
Workshop on Dalit issues
Sectoral perspective plan on Dalit was conducted
on 15-16 March 2010 at AMOS Center, Kottayam. 20
participants attended from different partner
organizations. Rev. Fr. John Areekkal, President of
DCMS-Kerala inaugurated the programme. He focused
on the continuing woes of Dalit Christians in Kerala. Dr.
John Mary was the facilitator for the sessions.
Interventions on the issues specific to the Dalits in Kerala
was proposed by the group and a draft plan on the same
was formulated.
12
 developmental interventions targeting the tribes. Issues
pertaining in the sector like land issues, health problems,
concerns in infrastructure development and good
governance was discussed. Fr. Thomas Joseph
Therakam, Director of ‘Maattoli’ Community Radio
inaugurated the workshop. He presented the topic
‘Adivasi Rights Violation’.

Workshop on Gender

Two day workshop on gender was organized at

Welfare Services Ernakulam on 28-29 October 2009 with
the objective of preparing a draft perspective plan for
gender mainstreaming interventions by the Churches in
Kerala. The workshop revisited the basic notions of
gender and development in social service context and
Workshop on Tribal issues discussed about the major issues and problems related
to gender in Kerala. Mr. P.V.Baiju, Lecturer, Sree
Sankarcharya University of Sanskrit led the sessions.

The final document of RPP and separate SPP

documents are scheduled to be released on 1st
November 2010.

The Sectoral Perspective Plan workshop held at

SHREYAS, Bathery on 23-24 March 2010 put forwarded
the need of addressing the livelihood issues of Adivasis
in Kerala. The workshop analyzed the present situations
of the Kerala Tribes and identified the gaps in the

13 Annual Report 2009-10

 Regional Perspective Plan on Development
Declaration by Kerala Social Service Forum on
Behalf of Justice, Peace Development
Commission of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council
● The Catholic Church in Kerala has decided to
formulate strategic development initiatives to face
the challenges posed by global economic and
ecological crisis. The initiative to formulate the
strategic response of the church to the global
crisis is taken by Kerala Social Service Forum
(KSSF) on behalf of the Justice, Peace and
Development Commission of the Kerala Catholic
Bishops’ Council (KCBC). KSSF is the
Federation of 29 Diocesan Social Service
Societies under the Catholic Church in Kerala.
● The Church has played a critical and key role in
the achievements of Kerala State especially in
the sectors of education and health. It has brought
several streams of communities to the
mainstream of development over the ages,
through its efforts. The Church has shaped
replicable models of development besides
journeying with the people of the State in their
“tryst with destiny” and struggles for justice. It
has always constructively responded to the social
issues faced by the State of Kerala. The Church
recognizes its pivotal role in the contemporary
development scenario of Kerala and to actualize
its mission to "proclaim the good news".
● With the above objective in mind, the KSSF
organized a three days workshop during 27-29
April, 2009 at Anugraha Renewal Centre,
Kodungoor, Kottayam. Approximately, 100
representatives, drawn from the Catholic
Diocesan Social Service Societies, Para-Church
Social Work Organizations, Religious
Congregations, Development Activists, Scholars,
Scientists and lay representatives participated
in the workshop. The Workshop has concluded
that it is necessary to critically evaluate the social
interventions of the Church till date and
reconstruct new and modified responses against
the contemporary challenges and concerns. The
response of the Church has to be founded on
social equity, justice and sustainable
development.
Kerala Social Service Forum
● The social development mission of the Church
is based on an inclusive approach whereby the
most marginalized gets the benefit of
development, going beyond all divisive forces and
beliefs. The Church also believes in linking and
networking with all like minded individuals,
organizations and institutions in creating a
society based on equality and justice.
● The Workshop also has concluded that it is of
utmost priority to enhance the capabilities of
people so as to enable them to effectively
respond to the emerging issues in socio
economic and cultural vicissitudes of life. The
development model adopted by the Church
should be one that respects and ensures the
freedom of people. The workshop has deplored
all forces who try to deny the freedom and
capabilities to the people. The church remains
committed as ever to uphold the freedom of the
individual and his inalienable rights. In the dawn
of the new millennium, the Church recognizes
that along with responsible human freedoms, it
is necessary to strengthen efforts to promote
biodiversity and the conservation and sustainable
use of the natural resources.
● The Church would like to share with the civil
society, the Government and other development
actors, the development mission which it would
like to adopt for implementation during the next
five years.
● Plan and implement a massive scheme to ensure
livelihood security to one million families. The
initiatives in livelihood security programme will
cover agriculture, fisheries, micro enterprises and
service sector.
● Respond to the emerging crisis in food security/
food safety by molding and putting in place ten
thousand {10000} farmers spread across 200
villages in Kerala, who will adopt organic and
integrated farming methods.
● Motivate 50,000 Community Based
Organizations under the partner organizations
of KSSF to take up programmes to mitigate the
effects of climate change and consequent
environmental disasters. They will also attempt
14
 to build social defense against natural and man-
made disasters and build community based
coping mechanisms to face disasters.
· Give leadership to overcome the agrarian crisis
rocking the State. We will concentrate on
participatory interventions to augment production,
making farming economic and dignified, build
healthy relationship between farmers and
laborers, design appropriate processing
measures and ensuring a marketing system that
will assure fair price for produce. We will render
co-operation to all measures that will restore the
freedom our farmers and introduction of eco-
friendly practices.
● Special focus on distress areas such as Idukki,
Wayanad, Kuttanad and Kole lands {Trichur},
addressing the grave environmental degradation
and ensuing occupation crisis therein.
● Provide leadership to mitigate the problems in
the fisheries sector, ranging from ownership over
production infrastructure, operational costs,
marketing systems including the problems of fish
vending women, environmental issues related to
depletion of fish resources and habitat, lack of
infrastructural facilities in fishing villages. Both
marine fishing sector and inland fishing sector
pose grave livelihood crisis as well as ecological
threats inviting sustained intervention by the
Church and its development organizations. We
will also intervene in favor of fishing community
as regards coastal management laws and
conservation measures.
● Reinforcement of the 33000 Self Help Groups
under the patronage of partner organizations of
Kerala Social Service Forum so as to emerge
as effective tools for community development
with emphasis on professionalization of
Microfinance and Micro Enterprises.
● Enhance the role of socially and economically
backward sections of people in local policy
formulation and participation in implementation
of policies and programmes. Social fraternities
{CBOs} under the patronage of the partner
organizations of Kerala Social Service Forum will
be geared towards articulating the concerns of
people and in proposing alternate models of
15
Development. Kerala Social Service Forum will
strive towards increasing the creativity of civil
society by strengthening the participation of
communities in participatory democratic
institutions under Panchayat Raj System and
decentralized peoples’ planning process so as
to improve the role of the civil society in
governance and make attempts to ensure
transparency and accountability.
● Formation of Self Help Groups (Fraternity
Groups) of physically challenged and mentally
challenged to provide social security and dignified
re-habilitation.
● Provide leadership for the collective intervention
in ensuring the availability of land the primary
means of production to farmers as well as the
raising number of landless in the State. The
Church will support struggle of farmers- farmers
in Cardamom Hill Reserve {CHR} in Idukki,
fishermen, Tribals and economically and socially
backward for entitlement.
● The Health care machinery under the Church will
be geared for preparing programmes to provide
affordable health care to the poor and
marginalized and linkages will be established to
effectively combat communicable diseases.
● Kerala Social Service Forum will continue to map
the disaster prone areas in Kerala and promote
disaster preparedness among the communities
who live in disaster prone locations. KSSF will
also support initiatives to protect eco-fragile
areas and take leadership for promotion and
conservation of mangrove forest systems for the
conservation of coastal and lowland locations in
Kerala.
● The Church will support campaign to control the
exploitation of groundwater and undertake
restoration, rejuvenation and maintenance of
traditional water sources.
● Make focused interventions for and among the
youth so as to address issues of insecurity,
erosion of values among the youth and control
tendencies of violence among them. The Youth
will be given life skill trainings so as to place
Annual Report 2009-10
 them in the vanguard in the battle for social
change.
● Church stays united with the rights of
marginalized communities especially the Dalits,
Tribals and unorganized laborers. Church asserts
support to the campaign for restoration of the
inalienable rights of Dalit Christians who have
paid a heavy cost for discipleship.
● Empowerment of women will enjoy prime place
in the social and development interventions of
the Church in the new millennium. All efforts will
be made to end domestic violence and
discrimination against women. Women initiatives
and movements will be given all support to end
the exploitation against them, as well as civil
society efforts to accord protection to women.
● All efforts will be made to ensure gender
sensitivity and equity in all programmes
undertaken by the member organizations of
KSSF and in all avenues of civil society.
● Efforts will be made to tap the skill and expertise
of elders {senior citizens} and to design suitable
Follow up Actions for the Workshop on Regional
Perspective Plan
It is decided to constitute Expert Working Groups
(EWG) to prepare Sectoral Perspective Plan (SPP) for
the shortlisted sectors. Such EWGs will make use of
scientific data collection and analysis in preparing SPP.
Such SPP will be placed before the seven Regional NGO
Networks (RNGON) in Kerala and will be subjected to
wider discussion. It is our hope that the first phase of
the RPP will be completed by 1st November, 2009, being
the Kerala Formation Day.
(The above draft RPP was approved by the plenary assembly of the Regional Perspective Plan Workshop
in the afternoon of 29th April 2009)
Kerala Social Service Forum
schemes for participation of elders in
development process.
● Church will campaign against the use and
promotion of Genetically Modified Seeds in
agriculture.
● Church will cooperate with like minded and other
movements and institutions engaged in social
and development work. KSSF will give qualified
support to all measures and programs of the
Central and State Governments in poverty
alleviation and in addressing issues of small and
medium farmers, Fishermen, Dalits, Tribals and
other deprived sections
● Special effort will be made to convert experience
into knowledge and promote action research in
the partner organizations of KSSF. Vigorous
efforts will be made to link science and
technology in development interventions by the
Church and its auxiliaries. A center for research,
knowledge promotion and documentation will be
set up at AMOS center, Kottayam. Participatory
Research will be given significant focus at the
centre.
The Catholic Church in Kerala believes in the
welfare, integral development and liberation of all sects
of the population in the State especially the marginalized
groups. The Church remains committed to the cause of
national integration, communal harmony and secular
fabric our nation. We also reaffirm our faith in non-violence
as an approach to development and conflict resolution.
16
Bhakshya Samurdhy
“Unless we urgently address agriculture issues, the country may have to revert to a ship- to
mouth existence once again after 40 years” - Dr. APJ Abdulkalam
“Bhakshysa Sumrudhy” the proud intervention of
KSSF as a collective response of the Catholic Church
in Kerala to the ensuing crisis in Food Security has
made inroads into a dying agri scenario of the State.
We need to have an integrated view of Food
Security. The ultimate goal is to achieve a hunger free
India. It is for the first time that we are taking a right
based approach to hunger and livelihood.
Basically we are dealing with the fundamental
right to life. Based on Article 21 of the Constitution, the
Supreme Court has regarded the Right to Food as a
fundamental requirement for the right to life. The number
of under nourished persons has increased from about
210 million in 1990-1992 to 252 million in 2004-2006.
India has about half the world’s under nourished children.
There has been a decline in the percapita calorie
consumption in recent decades. The percentage of
children below three years who are undernourished is
40%. The paradox is that grain mountain and hungry
millions continue to co-exist.
17
We are moving from a patronage based approach
to a right based approach in areas related to human
development and well being. Act like RTI, right to
Education, Land for Scheduled Tribe, forest dwellers
and NREG are examples. Food Security Bill is the next
in the line; perhaps the most important legislation since
1947.
Food Security, as internationally accepted,
involves physical, economic and social access to a
balanced diet, safe drinking water, and environmental
hygiene and primary health care. The above definition
will involve concurrent attention to the availability of food
in the market, the ability to buy needed food and the
capability to absorb and utilize the food in the body.
Thus food and non food factors (that is, drinking water,
environmental hygiene and primary health care) are
involved in food security.
From 1970s the agriculture and land use pattern
in Kerala have undergone tremendous change. The
farming communities in Kerala are switching over to cash
Annual Report 2009-10
crops in mono-cropping pattern which has virtually risked
indigenous food production. Over usage of chemical
fertilizers and pesticides has affected the natural fertility
of land as well as the sustenance and rejuvenation of
bio- mass. Extreme low productivity and prolonged less
investment in agriculture, poor farmer friendly policies,
inappropriate rules for trade and investment between
rich and poor countries, diversion of valuable food
resources, population explosion, shrinking land
recourses, climate change, disorders in the public
distribution system are the main issues related to food
security.
“Bhakshysa Sumrudhy” was inaugurteed by Mar
Mathew Arackal in 2009. The activitesas are
implemented by 38 partners covering the whole State.
For the better implementation the partners are grouped
under seven NGO network. Each network has a
Chairperson representing the newtork who is reponsible
in organising the meetings and trainings in consultation
with the Forum. The following are the various NGO
network, the dioceses and the Chairperson of the
network;

NGO Network Dioceses Chair person Director of

Southern Kerala 1. Neyattinkara Integral Development Society (NIDS), Neyattinkara Integral
network 2. Malankara Social Service Society (MSSS), Development Society
3. Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS), (NIDS)
4. Quilon Social Service Society (QSSS),
5. Punalur Social Service Society (PSSS)

Central Travancore 1. Changanassery Social Service Society (CHASS), Changanassery Social

network 2. Alappey Diocesan Charitable and Social Welfare Society Service Society (CHASS)
(ADC& SWS),
3. Kuttandu Vikasana Samithy (KVS),
4. Chethana Integral Development Society (CHIDS), and
5. Tiruvalla Social Service Society (Bodhana)

Kottayam NGO 1. Kottayam Social Service Society (KSSS), Kottayam Social Service
Network 2. Vijayapuram Social Service Society (VSSS), Society (KSSS)
3. Palai Social Welfare Society(PSWS),
4. Malanadu development Society(MDS)

Idukki NGO network 1. High Range Development Society (HDS), High Range Development
2. Peerumade Development Society (PDS) and Society (HDS)
3. VOSARD, Kumily

Ernakulum NGO 1. Welfare Services Ernakulum (WSE), Welfare Services

network 2. Kothamangalam Social Service Society (KSSS), Ernakulum (WSE)
3. Muvattupuzha Social Service Society(Samrudhi),
4. Cochin Social Service Society(CSSS),
5. Ernakulam Social Service Society(ESSS)

Central Kerala NGO 1. Social Action-Thrissur, Social Action-Thrissur

network 2. Social Action Forum- Irinjalakuda,
3. Kottapuram Integral Development Society (KIDS),
4. Peoples Service Society Palakkad (PSSP),
5. Attapadi Social Service Organization (ASSO),
6. Kuriakose Elias Social Service Society (KESS),
7. AVARD Chalakudy

Malabar NGO 1. Telicherry Social Service Society (TSSS), Telicherry Social Service
network 2. KAIROS Kannur, Society (TSSS)
3. MASS Kannur,
4. Payavur Community Development Project(PCDP),
5. Centre for Overall Development (COD) Thamarassery,
6. Calicut Diocesan Social Service Society-Jeevana
(CDSSS),
7. Shreyas -Bathery,
8. Wayanad Social Service Society (WSSS)-Manathawadi,
9. Women Welfare Association (WWA) Wayanad

Kerala Social Service Forum 18

 Objectives S.No Zone Venue Date
● Formation and strengthening of Regional 1 Southern Kerala TSSS 8th July 2009
Networks for effective campaign for food security NGO Network
● Enabling Diocesan Social Service Societies and
2 Idukki NGO HDS 7th July 2009
other faith based NGOs to intensify initiatives to
Network
promote agri-related ventures and in motivating
people to join the struggle to ensure food security. 3 Kottayam NGO KSSS 29th June 2009
● Promoting conservation of traditional knowledge Network
and practices in agriculture 4 Travancore South CHASS 13th July 2009
● Encouraging exclusive use of organic inputs like Central Kerala
indigenous seeds, manure and bio-pesticides and NGO Network
restraining use of chemicals in farming
● Conserving indigenous seeds 5 Ernakulam NGO WSE 14th July 2009
● Ensuring integrated farming system where Network
agriculture and animal husbandry go hand in hand 6 Central Kerala Social 16th July 2009
● Enlisting self reliance in essential food NGO Network Action
commodities: rice vegetables, tubers, fruits, milk, Forum
egg and meat.
7 North Malabar Shreyas 18th June 2009
● Formation of farmer groups that would functions
NGO Network
as trend setters in organic farming for ensuring
food safety and food security.
● Streamlining the ongoing programs for food
security in DSSS/NGOs and linking them to the
mainstream campaign for food security.

Regional Planning workshops

Regional Planning workshops were organized at

zonal level as detailed below for designing area specific
action plans. The workshops analysed the agri -related
issues at stake and explored fresh avenues and
innovative initiatives in responding to the worsening food
security scenario of the State. The workshop also
focused to bring a common understanding among the
implementing partners regarding the staggering food
crisis and food insecurity.

Facilitator’s Training

Three day residential workshop to capacitate the

Program facilitators was organized at AMOS Centre on
May 11-13, 2009. The sessions consisted of inputs and
exposure visits to a few farm models. The main session
included: an overview, issues and challenges of Food
Security, integrated farming- Food crops with relevance
to food security, Planning the farm ecosystem through
Participatory Rural Appraisal, Integrated farming with
livestocks, Strategic relevance of organic farming in Food
Security, Seed conservation and watershed approaches

19 Annual Report 2009-10

 Formation of Farmers’ Fraternity Groups (FFGs)

The partners in the program have selected 176

cluster villages in 60 Grama Panchayaths and formed
283 FFGs spread across the State as part of the Food
Safety Campaign. We have presently mobilized 5807
farmers for introduction to organic farming practices as
detailed below district wise.

Sl. No District No of Farmers

mobilized
1. Thiruvananthapuram 326
2. Kollam 165
3. Pathanamtitta 200
4. Alapuzha 892
5. Kottayam 820
6. Iddukki 489
7. Ernakulam 905
8. Trichur 433

The Organic farmer creates fervor among the 9. Palakkad 298

villagers 10. Malappuram 156
Mr. George Joseph, an organic farmer in Puthoor village 11. Kozhikode 100
,Trichur has set himself as a farmer different in his farming
practice. He is one of 156 members of the Farmers Fraternity 12. Wayanad 622
Groups (FFGs) formed by the Kuriakose Elias Social Service
Society (KESS) with the guidance of Kerala Social Service 13. Kannur 324
Forum (KSSF) as part of Bhakshya Samrudhi-Food Security 14. Kasargode 77
campaign.
Mr. George has three acres of land and he started Total 5807
organic farming in one acre by 2007. He cultivates crops like
plantain, tubers, and different vegetables like lady’s finger,
bitter guard, pumpkin, brinjal, amaranths, snake guard, tapioca
etc Mr. George became aware about the allied agricultural
fields like livestock management, vermi-composting and so on.
He uses neem cake, cow dung, vermi-compost, vermi-wash
and natural pest repellents like tobacco decoction and neem
oil emulsion to cultivate the food crops. The dairy unit with
three cows also brings profits and gives fertility in the land.
Mr. George establishes a marketing unit of vermi-
compost and bio fertilizers l in his home which he sells to the
villagers at affordable price. shares that around
Mr. George is marketing his organic food crops and
bio-fertilizers through Vegetable and Fruit promotion Council
Kerala (VFPCK). At present, Mr. George Joseph who claims
to have gained Rupees one Lakh as profit in the past year
from one acre of land through organic farming and allied organic
fields like dairy units, bio-fertilizers etc which according to him
is approximately equal to that from the semi-organically
cultivated 2 acres.
Joseph is the key person of the Farmers’ Fraternity
Groups of Puthoor Panchayath and he is motivating the villagers
to practice organic farming. The replicable farming models
practiced by Mr. George create fervor among the neighbors
and help them to reduce the anxiety regarding the profit plight
due to organic farming. He is an approved trainer and award
holder from Kerala Horticulture department in 2000.It is obvious
that Mr. George is an ambassador of Bhakshy Samrudhy-
Food Security campaign in Puthoor Panchayath.

Kerala Social Service Forum 20

 We are committed to upscale the number to ten
thousand soon which does not appear to be a distant
dream as the partners together cover over a lakh farmers
in routine interventions.
Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA)
Partners conducted PRA exercises in the targeted
villages. Study helped to identify the issues of the
respective villages related to Food Security and to plan
out appropriate strategies. The important tools used
were Social Mapping & Resource mapping, Transect
walk, Village crop mapping, Seasonality calendar, Food
Path mapping, Venn-diagram etc.

Village Level Seminars and Training

Partners organized 55 village-level orientation

seminars on diverse topics in collaboration with
agriculture department, NABARD and other allied
departments. The seminars brought more visibility to
the food safety campaign.

Poor marketing sources S. No Seminar Total

Lack of value additions Disorders in the 1 Organic integrated farming 17
Public Distribution Systems
2 Livestock management 8
Scarcity of agriculture Poor linkage with agriculture
(cow, goat, rabbit, piggery poultry,
labourers and allied departments
duck, quill etc)
Food adultration and Unscientific micro
health issues level planning 3 Organic vegetable cultivation and 4
Lower income from Lack of tecnological marketing sources
food crops knowledges in cost effective
organic farming
4 Training on Food Processing 3

Defragmentation of Issues related to 5 Food Security and climate change 6

agricultural land land possession
6 Health and Food adulteration 11
7 Organic manure preparation 3
8 Zero budget natural farming 2
9 Traditional knowledges in farming 1

Zonal level review meetings

The objectives of the zonal review meetings were

to ensure NGO level food safety interventions and review
the past one year activities of the partners. Program
Facilitator of ‘Bhakshya Samrudhi’ submitted the report
of the progress of the program. The session also
planned future activities like Lead Farmers Training,
District Level workshop on Food Security, Seed bank
formation, linkage with NABARD, State Horticulture
Mission etc.

The State team along with the participants of zonal

review undertook visit of successful organic farmers in
the area which provided ample opportunity for learning.

21 Annual Report 2009-10

 S.No Date Venue
1 02/02/2010 HDS, Idukki Dominic practices dry land paddy cultivation
‘Think before you leap’ becomes meaningless in the
2 09/02/2010 WSE, Ernakulum case of Mr. Dominic, Cheerankode Thalackal house, an organic
3 12/02/2010 WSSS, Mananthawadi farmer from Nedumanagad village of Trivandrum District. His
dedication and deep love for nature enable him to leap without
4 16/02/2010 KSSS, Kottayam conventional thinking of farming. The dry land paddy cultivation
made good results.
5 23/02/2010 ASSO, Attapadi Successes will not origin in a day
6 25/02/2010 TSSS, Trivandrum Mr. Dominic 37 aged young farmer is doing organic
cultivation in 7.5 acres of land. He has 22 years of experience
7 05/02/2010 CHASS, Changanassery in organic farming. Out of 7.5 acres, 6 acre is leased property
at @ Rs. 1000/acre for 6 months. Twelve verities of plantains,
tapioca, ginger, turmeric etc are being cultivated in his land.
‘Munkili’, ‘Kaveri’, ‘Kumbillakannan’, ‘Crystal Ethan’, ‘Vatti’, etc
Key Achievements are the main verities of plantains in his land. He is experimentally
● Partners mobilized 5807 model organic farmers cultivating cauliflower, cabbage, carrot in small area of his
all over Kerala land. “At starting time I had concerns about the success of
cabbage and cauliflower cultivation in our area. Vegetable
● The Food safety Campaign was organized in and Food Promotion Council Kerala (VFPCK) gave seeds for
176 villagers of 60 Panchayaths in the State this innovative practice. Now I am confidant to continue the
● Partners identified Lead Farmers who are cauliflower and cabbage cultivation by using organic fertilizers
and pesticides”, Dominic said.
practicing sustainable agriculture A well maintained vermi compost tank is there in his
● The cluster level orientation and seminar agriculture land. He developed an innovative method to reduce
covered 10000 farmers in Kerala the damages caused by wind by tying the skins of the plantains
together.
● Farmers Fraternity Groups (FFGs) are being ‘Jaivam’ reveals his innovations in agriculture
registered under NAARD ‘Jaivam’ the book published by ‘Thulika’ publications
● An effective linkage is established between describes the agriculture innovations of Mr. Dominic i an award
holder from TBGRI (Tropical Botanical Garden and Research
partners and Agriculture and allied Institute) for his innovative interventions in agriculture. “Dominic
● departments is a model for our youth and an inspiration to all those who
● Traditional Agriculture knowledge is shared aspire to take up agriculture as a career” said Father Shajkumar,
Director of NIDS.

Kerala Social Service Forum 22

Cluster Programmes
Community Based Disaster Preparedness
Programme
Community Based Disaster Preparedness
Programme, a joint initiative of Caritas India, Kerala
Social Service Forum (KSSF) and Diocesan Social
Service Societies is being implemented since 2005. The
programme has entered into the final stage of resilience
building in this year and hence the programme focused
on transferring the knowledge on disaster preparedness
to the general public and to make them competent in
mitigating any disasters. Linking the community based
organizations to the local self governments was also
given priority.
Project Goal
Partners become capacitated to mobilize
community for building up a resilient society in six
coastal districts of Kerala state through addressing risk
reduction, vulnerability reduction, and plans for
prevention, mitigation, preparedness and developmental
interventions in a sustainable manner.
23
Objectives
● Through efficient coordination, monitoring and
capacity building partners are capacitated for the
sustainable implementation of CBDP programme at
state level
● Disseminating the CBDP concept into other areas
through documenting & networking for promoting
best practices, experimental studies and replicable
models at state level for mainstreaming CBDP
EVENTS OF THE YEAR
Inauguration of third year programme
Third year programmes of SOA II was inaugurated
by Sri. P.K.Gurudasan, Hon. Minister for Labor & Excise
Govt of Kerala. In his inaugural address, he upheld the
services provided by Catholic Churches of Kerala in the
spectrum of social and community development
initiatives. Expressing his happiness in associating with
Annual Report 2009-10

the programme he declared that Govt. of Kerala would
extend all support to Catholic Churches in many
dimensions for the betterment of people and community.
He appreciated Caritas India and its associating
agencies and NGO’s for rightful implementation of
disaster preparedness project in coastal villages coming
under 10 dioceses of Kerala. Most Rev. Dr. Stanley
Roman Bishop of Quilon presided over the function. All
the partners were honored for their achievement in
resilience building activities. Mr. N. Padmalochanan, Hon
Mayor of Kollam released the Annual report of CBDP
2008-09. Sri. Rajadas, President, Alappad Grama
Panchayath, Mr. Ajith Chacko, State Coordinator, UNDP-
CBDRM and Mr. Ambrose Christy, Team Leader-CMT
offered felicitation. Fr. Romance Antony delivered
welcome speech.
STATE LEVEL REVIEW MEETINGS
Review meetings were the occasion of coming
together of the funding agency representatives,
coordinating team and the implementing partners. It’s
Kerala Social Service Forum
the platform for critical review of performance, cross
learning and for course correction. Four review meeting
conducted in the reporting year.
Date Venue No of
participants
12 May 2009 ADC & SWS, 28
Alappuzha
4 Aug 2009 Ernakulam Social 26
Service Society
16 Oct 2009 Welfare Services 24
Ernakulam
13 Jan 2010 ADC & SWS, 25
Alappuzha
FIELD ACCOMAPANIMENT
KSSF has accompanied Caritas India in field
monitoring of the project. KSSF point person
accompanied the Programme Support Officer of Caritas
India in attending the monthly review meetings organized
at partner level. Feedback and suggestion on the visits
were given during the visits. A total of 63 visits made in
the reporting year to the 10 partenr organizations. These
visits ensured quality in programme implementation and
the process documentation of partners.
TRAINING PROGRAMMES
Workshop on Climate Change
One day workshop on “Climate Change and its
impact on human life” was organized on 13th May 2009
at ADC & SWS. Dr. Aby George, Resource Person-
KILA led the sessions. Point persons from the partner
agencies participated in the workshop. Climate
conditions of Kerala and the possible remedial measures
were discussed.
Online data management-orientation
An orientation programme on ‘Online data
management for Tsunami housing’ was organized at
Aleppey (ADC & SWS) on 18th August 09. Ms. Milan,
PSO-Caritas India handled the sessions.
Representatives from seven partnering DSSS
participated in the programme. Online data entry was
demonstrated in the session and an action plan with
deadlines was prepared on mutual mutually agreement
of the participants.
24
Workshop on Participatory Monitoring and
Evaluation
Workshop on Participatory Monitoring and
Evaluation (PME) to the CBDP partners was conducted
from 4-6 March 2010. The prime objective of the
programme was to strengthen the capacity of the
organizational staff and to put forward some
advancement in PME approach. Mr. P.V.Baiju, Lecturer,
Sree Sankarcharya University of Sanskrit led the
sessions.
Second day of the programme was scheduled
for a field visit to Kattoor village at Aleppey where the
participant team applied various field monitoring tools
for participatory evaluation. The programme ended with
the preparation of an action plan on field exercises at
different project locations.
Workshop on Project planning
programmes at state level in the month of May 2009.
Community consciousness on disaster has been
created resulting to the programme. The partners
organized processions, cycle rallies, public meetings,
awareness classes, cleaning campaigns, medical
camps, tree plantation, vigilance meet, photo exhibitions
etc in their respective areas.
Objectives of vigilance week observation
● To improve the visibility of CBDP programme
● To have an integration of programmes within the
organizations and among the partners
● To disseminate information on disaster and disaster
preparedness to all sectors of the community
● To develop support groups other than coordination
committee members and task force and to
mainstream them in CBDP programmes
● To develop leadership skills of the coordination
committee members.

Workshop on Project planning and proposal Consolidation of the programmes at partner level
writing was organized at AMOS Centre on 24th February
Sl.No Activities at partner level No. of
2010. Partner Directors, Project Officers and Point
Programs
persons participated in the programme. Mr. P.J.Varkey,
State Officer, Caritas India led the sessions. 26 persons 1 District level inauguration 2
participated in the workshop. (Joint venture)
2 Panchayat/Regional level 7
Exposure visit inauguration
3 Cleaning campaign 22
KSSF organized an exposure programme for the 4 Medical camp 7
CBDP team to Nagapattinam, Velainkanni &
5 Blood group detection camp 2
Pondicherry. The team visited the operational areas of
Tanjavur Multipurpose Social Service Society (TMSSS) 6 Health awareness campaign 4
and Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service Society 7 Seminar on climate change 6
(PMSSS). The exposure programme was intended to 8 Social action programmes 1
augment the knowledge and experience of the team 9 Boat rowing programme 1
members working with disaster mitigation programmes 10 Competition for children 2
at diocesan level and to make an understanding of the 11 Children’s camp 6
best practices in other organizations in disaster 12 EDP candidates meet 1
management. The study team started the journey on
13 Task Force convention 1
16th and came back on 20thFebruary 2010. Directors,
14 Bio shield protection program 1
Assistant Directors and point persons from the 10
partner organizations of CBDP participated in the 15 Nature study programme 2
exposure visit programme. Knowledge about the 16 Counseling programme 2
application of ICT (Information Communication and 17 Tele show 12
Technology) in disaster mitigation programmes has 18 Photo exhibition 3
enhanced the insight of the participants. 19 Puppet show 1
20 Poster campaign 1
VIGILANCE WEEK OBSERVANCE 2009
21 Road show 1
22 Street play demonstration 45
KSSF coordinated the vigilance week observation

25 Annual Report 2009-10


Training programmes attended
Emergency Response and Support Team (ERST)
training
Mr.Deepak.OJ, Programme Officer attended the
training on ERST held at Don Bosco center, Bangalore
on from 20-22 Jan 2010.
As we conclude our exploration in some of the
disaster prone coastal villages and lake front areas in
Kuttanad, we salute the people living in vulnerable
situations and make their concerns our own. We don’t
exit from the field but resolve ourselves for immersing
the community structures to the village mainstream.
We shall continue to dialogue with the people and build
resilience both in the mindset of people and in the local
governance systems. And we sing with our friends in
the vulnerable areas “we shall overcome”.
Information Tour to Germany
Mrs. Laila Lawrence from Thanny village (Kollam) was
selected to represent Kerala for a two weeks information tour
to Germany on Caritas Tsunami response in India from 10th to
24th October 2009. She visited Germany along with the task
force representatives from Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh and
the representatives of Caritas India. The team members shared
their experience and know how in the field of disaster
preparedness during the interactive sessions with the
community people and the delegates of Caritas Germany. The
tour was organized by Caritas Germany with the support of
Caritas India.
Kerala Social Service Forum
Achievement of KSSF
● Partners became more systematic in planning,
monitoring and implementing disaster
preparedness/mitigation programme
● Effective coordination of disaster preparedness
programme took place at state level
● Close collaboration and accompaniment of
partners was promoted throughout the project
cycle
● CBDP programme was recognized by the Govt
of Kerala
● Programmes of partners are monitored on regular
basis and efficiency was promoted in programme
implementation
● Strength and weakness of partners in
implementing CBDP programme was identified
through internal evaluation and measures were
taken for progress
● Partners became strengthened to efficiently use
the resources for community mobilization
programme
● Programme staff capacitated in various topics to
effectively plan, implement and monitor the
progress and process of CBDP programme
● Gender became the cross cutting theme of
community mobilization programme at partner
level as well as community level
● KSSF became a resource centre for disaster
management
● Visible attitudinal changes of the community after
the initiation of CBDP programme been recorded
and published
“I was very much excited and surprised
when I was selected to go to Germany
representing Kerala CBDP program. I never
think of such an exposure in the wildest of my
dream. I found that the women in Germany are
very much empowered and ladies are first in
every field. I am grateful to Fr. Romance Antony for giving me
this great opportunity and also Fr. Detto Fernandez, Director
Quilon Social Service Society and all the team members for
the support.
26
Cluster Programmes
Water and Sanitation Programme
Water and sanitation program emerged as a
component in CBDP program as a result of the
participatory need assessment conducted in the
operation area especially those in the water logged areas
who face severe shortage of pure drinking water and
sanitation issues. Creating replicable low cost models
in water and sanitation, emphasizing on the maximum
utilization of people’s knowledge and low cost
technologies is the prime objective of the program; i.e.
Water and sanitation component in CBDP programme
emphasize on rejuvenating the traditional water sources
by using local knowledge and low cost technologies.
Interventions of CBDP have established close contacts
with community people and the participatory exercises
facilitated by the partner agencies helped them to realize
the key issues related to water and sanitation of their
area. Further discussion with the community and
interaction with the water experts gave a clear picture
27
about the issues related with drinking water in the project
area.
Objectives of the project
● Development of low cost management of water
resources and creation of replicable sanitation
models.
● To create awareness among the target community
about the importance of water source protection and
rejuvenation.
● Rejuvenating the existing water sources in the
communities with the help of local people and
resources are another objective.
● To establish linkages with Panchayath Raj
institutions in replicating the low cost models and
protection of existing drinking water sources
Annual Report 2009-10
Project Activities
WatSan strategy formulation workshop
A two day residential workshop on strategy
formulation was conducted at state level with the
objective of revisiting the DSSS/Unit wise status of
WatSan programs at partner level. The program was
facilitated by the technical expert and the TT of Caritas
India. Point persons and assistant point persons from
the partner agencies participated in the workshop
Achieved results of the workshop:
● Formation of Joint Planning and Monitoring
Committee (JPMC) formed
● Monitoring & reporting plan prepared jointly by
Caritas India and KSSF
● Partner wise logical frame work prepared
● Enhanced conceptual clarity and technical know
how on WatSan among the participants
Training programs
Field demonstration training on sanitation
models.
With an objective of developing masons as a
creative skilled work force available at partner level, we
organized three day training programme at Thalavady,
Kerala Social Service Forum
the operational area of BODHANA. Mr.Rajesh.PD, the
Zonal Technical Officer-Caritas India, was the chief
trainer of the sessions. Point persons of CBDP
programme also participated.
Field demonstration training on Filter well
In order to develop skilled workforce in
constructing wells using internal filtration mechanisms,
the training was conducted at Thalavady the operational
area of BODHANA
Process Documentation at State level
Prepared detailed reports on all the trainings and
workshops and circulated it to the partners and facilitated
the partner level process documentation of WatSan
activities.
Field level accompaniment with the technical team
of Caritas India
KSSF team provided field level accompaniment
for the technical team of Caritas India and provided
needed assistance for the partners in clarifying their
queries.
28
Achievements of WatSan at Partner Level

29 Annual Report 2009-10

 The Number of Persons Benefited out of the Project

Filter well

1498 980 4376 Single/household filter

1923
Immersed filter
1482
Pond/well rejuvenation
Rain Water Harvesting
238
1714 Back washing

10850 Compost latrine

Kitchen Garden

The project envisages

creating replicable models in
WatSan Programs. As the CBDP
project has expanded people’s
participation and leadership, the
WatSan program also succeeded
in utilizing the resources at
maximum level. With the active
participation of PRI and through net
working and linkages the models
would be replicated.

Kerala Social Service Forum 30

Cluster Programmes
FARM WAYANAD
“Agriculture for an honorable and high-minded man, is the best of all occupations or arts by
which men procure the means of living”- Xenophon
Save Farmers’ Campaign (SFC) Network
promoted by KSSF as a strategic intervention in the
agrarian crisis and suicides in Wayanad has made
remarkable achievements through the effective
implementation of FARM (Facilitating Agricultural
Regeneration Measures) Wayanad Project. The SFC
Network consists of 4 DSSSs, 2 NGOs promoted by
Religious Congregations and one Secular NGO. FARM
Wayanad Project supported by CARITAS INDIA is
implemented in 18 out of 25 Grama Panchayaths in
Wayanad District. Salient areas of interventions and
accomplishments are briefed below.
The inauguration of the second phase of FARM
and the launching of the livelihood support programme
under the project for 202 suicide victim families was
held on 27 th Nov 2009 at Kalpetta. 1250 people
participated in the programme, inaugurated by
Shri.Mullakara Ratnakaran the Honorable Minister of
the State for Agriculture, Kerala. The meeting was
presided over by Mar Jose Porunnedom the Bishop of
31
Mananthavady and attended by eminent personalities
including the District Collector, President and Vice
President of District Panchayath and Fr. Varghese
Mattamana, Executive Director, Caritas India .
Massive Awareness Generation
“Ignorance is bliss”, said one of our poets.
Knowledge leads to transformation. No change can be
expected without people taking pro-active decisions and
to this objective SFC partners arranged massive
Panchayath level awareness programmes. An
assortment of topics relevant to the focus group was
dealt with as given below.
● Dynamics of Panchayath Raj Institutions
● Organic Farming
● Food Safety & Security
● Climate Change
● Impact of Pesticides in Farming
● Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
● Killer Diseases
Annual Report 2009-10
 ● Value Education for school children.
12099 persons participated in 152 awareness
building programs conducted across the district of
Wayanad.
Interface with various State Departments
were conducted in all Panchayaths. It was an
opportunity to build rapport between people and line
departments. Various developmental schemes of the
State were introduced to the people so as to enhance
access of the community to such schemes.
Human Right Befriending
The unique intervention of befriending support
to the people in distress especially from the suicide
victim families was continued in the operation area by
the Befriending Coordinators and Panchayath level
Community Facilitators. They visit the families and listen
to clients with undivided attention, empathy, acceptance
and respect, and create space for ventilation of feelings
of anxieties, grief, guilt, fear, trauma etc. The clients
include suicide victim, attempted, prone and distress.
Suicide prone persons could overcome suicidal thoughts
and regained self esteem. People in distress get relieved
from stress. Referral services to District Mental Health
Services, De - addiction Centres, Rehabilitation Centres,
arranging medical support etc are allied results.
Befriending among tribals was also conducted in ten
clusters by the Tribal Coordinator. 876 persons benefited
by the support of Befriending Coordinators.
Capacity building programmes
Trainings & Workshops
Strengthening of project team and master
farmers was a priority area of project activities. Hence,
advanced training programmes have been conducted.
Themes of trainings were Befriending, mental health,
help line for suicide prevention, documentation skills,
organic certification process and marketing of organic
produces, & developmental schemes of Agriculture
Department etc.
A two days’ workshop was conducted on Disaster
Management, in the wake of natural calamities in
Wayanad under the facilitation of experts from Caritas
India and State Disaster Management Cell.
Workshop was on Project Formulation in
collaboration with State Horticulture Mission and Small
Kerala Social Service Forum
Farmers Agri Business Consortium, in which 19 NGOs
from Wayanad including SFC Network members
participated.
One day workshop on ‘sustainable agriculture’
facilitated by Dr. Narayana Reddy, an eminent farmer
leader who has been awarded with Honorary Doctorate
from the Hubly University for his outstanding contributions
in organic farming was held. It was also attended by
the key personnel of NRM from different SFC partner
agency.
Exposure Visits
a. An exposure on Organic Farming was conducted
for the Project Team to various farms in Palaghat in
collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture
under Agriculture Technology Management Agency
(ATMA) Programme.
b. An exposure to Indian Institute of Horticulture (IIHR)
and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health
Traditions (FRLHT) in Bangalore was conducted for
master farmers under ATMA Programme.
Livelihood Support
Rehabilitation of the victims of suicides was one
of the primary objectives of the intervention.
Accompanying and concurrent monitoring of the Income
Generation Programmes started by 465 families in the
last phase of the Project as rehabilitation measure has
been regularly undertaken by the respective project
implementing partners through their respective
Panchayath level Community Facilitators.
Further, 202 beneficiaries have been identified and
individual business plan for starting sustainable IGPs
were formulated in a participatory manner, with proper
32
technical guidance. Subsequently, appropriate skills
trainings were imparted to all beneficiaries in respective
enterprises. All of them have been supported with partial
financial support also to start sustainable enterprises.
A study conducted under FARM on Agrarian Crisis
was released by Geevarghese Mar Divanasio the Bishop
of Bathery Diocese during the occasion. Study on
Suicides in Wayanad and the Annual Report of the First
Phase of FARM project also were released during the
occasion. Mr. Balakrishnan Kammana a farmer who was
recognized by National Innovation Foundation was
honored on the occasion.
Model Creation in Organic Farming
Small groups of farmers, motivated in organic
farming system have initiated collective farming of
vegetables using organic inputs in all the 18
Panchayaths. Pesticide free products are produced in
these units.
Tribal Development Interventions
Higher suicide rate among tribes, disproportionate
to their population, as per the study conducted as part
33
of FARM Wayanad Project necessitated intervention
among tribes. Hence, intensive involvement has been
initiated in ten clusters in 6 Grama Panchayaths. The
coverage is 525 families that belong to different groups
such as Paniya, Oorali, Kuruma, Nayika, and Kurichia.
Organizational structures formed include 11 Balavedhis,
4 Youth groups, 9 farmers groups, 6 SHGs & 2 cultural
groups. Organic nutrition gardens have been started by
100 families. Ten groups have started collective farming.
Paddy Planting Festival and harvest festival in the
traditional system were an event of media appreciation.
‘Plant a plantain in every home’ Programme was
launched in one cluster. Awareness seminars and
befriending support were other activities carried out. Joint
farming was undertaken in tuber crops also other than
paddy in 2 clusters. Tribal youth are being trained in
new skills like rubber tapping.
Monitoring Visits
c. Ms. Danielle from Caritas Australia visited SFC. She
visited some distressed families and the FARM
activities at Arikkalam Tribal colony and interacted
with the FARM Team and the partners of SFC
Network.
d. Two tribal clusters under the involvement of Jeevana
was visited by Dr. V.R. Haridas Manager NRM,
Caritas India along with PCU Staff.
Annual Report 2009-10

Paniya Sadas
The PCU team Participated in the Paniya Sadas
on 13th March conducted at Shreyas. The Programme
was organized by Centre for Development Studies (CDS)
and Montreal University, in Collaboration with Paniya
tribe movements, leaders and NGOs working in tribal
sector to discuss the developmental issues of Paniya
tribe in Wayanad. A paper on suicides among tribes –
Wayanad the lost Paradise of Paniyas – was presented
by Mr.jose ,project Manager FARM
Review Meeting
Program accompaniment was ensured through
periodic review meetings. 12 review meetings were held
in the reporting period.
A separate review meeting was arranged for direct
interaction with the the Zonal Manager, NRM Manager
and the State Officer, of Caritas India .
In the reporting period KSSF director visited
South Asian Farmers’ Conference (SAFC) Visit
On 11th February 2010 as part of the South
Asia Farmers’ conference hosted by the Caritas India
20 delegates from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri
Lanka made a visit to Wayanad to study FARM
program.
They had the opportunity to exchange the Idea
on FARM Project with the delegates and accompany
them in their field visits to spices processing unit of
Wayanad Social Service Society and Vanamoolika.
Kerala Social Service Forum
Participation in Caritas Asia Programmes
Programmes organized by CARITAS ASIA
were also attended by representatives from FARM
like Anti G.M campaign workshop at Bhopal and
Farmers Conference in Sri Lanka. Land Right
workshop at Roshni Nilaya College, Mangalore and
several workshops and trainings on Befriending were
facilitated by personnel of Programme Coordination
Unit of FARM.
Key Achievements:
1. Livelihood support programme for 202 suicide
victim families
2. 152 seminars were conducted in which 12099
persons benefited.
3. Collective farming of vegetables using organic
inputs in 18 Panchayaths.
4. 11 Balavedhis, 4 Youth groups, 9 farmers
groups, 6 SHGs & 2 cultural groups formed in
the Tribal community in 6 gramapanchayat.
5. Organic nutrition gardens have been started by
100 tribal families.
6. 10 tribal groups have started collective farming
7. Joint farming was undertaken in tuber crops
also other than paddy in 2 tribal clusters.
8. 876 persons benefited by the support of
Befriending Coordinators
34
Cluster Programmes

Integrated Development through

Empowerment and Action
Synergy for Relevance
Integrated Development through Empowerment
and Action (IDEA) is a flagship program of Caritas India
to promote integration of various ministries at Diocesan
level. Simultaneously IDEA focuses on the strengthening
of the Diocesan Social Service Societies through
systematic organizational development process. The
components and structures formed as part of the IDEA
program serve as the instruments to promote integration.
Seven Diocesan Social Service Societies are involved
in the integration process through IDEA.

Three major structures give impetus to the

integration of ministries. Diocesan Development Advisory
Board (DDAB) provides the general guidelines, Thrust
Area Committees (TACs) gives suggestions for
development actions and Core Development Cell (CDC)
decides on the specifics of development action.

Capacity Enhancement Program
The Capacity Enhancement Program aims to
professionalise and systematise the Diocesan partners
.The program envisages to increase the attitude,
knowledge and skill of the personnel work in the
Diocesan Social Service Societies to enable them to
be efficient and effective. CEP gives thrust in the Grass
root level, Staff and Organizational level development
process. Diocese of Mevelikara involved in the CEP
Program in the reporting year. One Unit Director’s meet
held at Amalagiri Bishop’s House, Mavalikkara on 30th
June 2009 to develop a perspective for the Diocesan
level interventions in Social Work.

Structures formed for promoting integration

35 Annual Report 2009-10

 IDEA Coordinators
Meeting (ICM) is a value added
component in the IDEA program
in Kerala. It takes place
quarterly at each of the partners
Diocese. The meeting reviews
the outcome of the activities and
it brings a platform for the
capacitaion of IDEA
Coordinators especially in the
Project Cycle Management,
Documentation and Reporting.
Kerala Social Service Forum,
State Officer of Caritas India,
IDEA Consultant of caritas India
closely accompanies the Idea
Coordinator’s Meeting.

IDEA partners
Diocese Name of the DSSS Districts Covered
Idukki High Range Development Society(HDS) 1
Iringalakuda Social Action Forum Iringalakuda(SAFI) 2
Kozhikode Calicut Diocesan Social Service Society(JEEVANA) 4
Kannur KAIROS 2
Muvattupuzha Samrudhi 1
Punalur Punalur Social Service Society(PSSS) 3
Vijayapuram Vijayapuram Social Service Society(VSSS) 5

Assessment of various factors

Assessment of the various factors related to IDEA conducted by the Development Consultant during the IDEA
Coordinators meeting held in January 2010.

Kerala Social Service Forum 36

 Key Achievements of the IDEA Program
Identifying common issues
The program could explore common issues
for the convergence of the various ministries of the
Diocese. Based on selected thrust areas, different
ministries come together to address the common
development issues. Educational backwardness of
the Children is considered as the core issue in the
Diocesan premise of Knnur. In Punalur IDEA program
gives prime focus to the issues related to social
backwardness of Dalit population.
Common planning of programs
The regular gathering of DDAB and CDC
brought a platform for participatory planning for the
Diocesan level activities. Planting of fruit bearing trees
in Idukki and Career guidance Cell in Kannuar
Diocese are the fruits of common planning.
Sharing of resources
Partners integrated the activities of the
Diocese with the ongoing developmental projects of
Objectives of IDEA
● Creating a Common Platform for integration
● Integrating the Identified Thrust Areas in to
Program
● Value Addition by Integration of Programs
● Facilitating the formation and functioning of Core
Development Cell for Planning, Monitoring and
Evaluation of Programs
● Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying
● Promoting Right Based Approach to development
IDEA Coordinators Meeting (ICM)
S. No Venue Date
1 AMOS Centre June 2009
2 Jeevana,Caliicut August 2009
3 PSSS Punalur November 2009
4 VSSSVijjayapuram January 2010
5 KAIROS, Kannur March 2010
37
Diocesan Social Service Societies. The technical
guidance and competency of the different
departments boosted all the endeavors of the partner
Dioceses. Common training programs for the
ministries in Calicut and energy conservation
programs Vijayapuram were two best models of
resource sharing.
Value added programs
IDEA brings value addition in all the
interventions through building linkage with different
Govt departments, banks and allied development
agencies. Muvattupuha and Idukki Diocese
commenced livelihood promotion activities in
collaboration with financial institutions. Iringalakuda
Diocese witnessed successful model paddy
cultivation by utilizing the Schemes like National
Rural Employments Guarantee Program and Food
Security project supported by development agencies
Key achievements of the CEP
● Strengthened administrative system and
management information systems in the IDEA
partners
● Promoted PME and planning and monitoring
system
● Promoting social auditing and gender auditing
● Established effective finance management
system
● Promoted 5 tier monitoring systems
● Capacitated to access the Government projects
microfinance loans.
Annual Report 2009-10
Research
KSSF Research Department completed two
significant studies on the Farm crisis in Wayanad. The
Forum is to emerge as a resource centre that would
study emerging socio-economic issues. The Forum
made a step forward in the realization of its objective
when two study reports were released at Kalpatta on
Nov 27th 2009.
● Wayanad Suicides-A psycho-Social Autopsy- the
first ever complete survey of suicide households;
important findings given separately.
● Agrarian Crisis in the District of Wayanad and
the multi-stakeholder response to the crisis - the
study was conducted on a sample basis in the
Grama Panchayats of Edavaka and Ambalavayal.
The interface with the stakeholders has exposed
various ramifications of the crisis in agri-scenario in
Wayanad and proposes pertinent mitigation
strategies.
Salient findings of the survey of suicides in
Wayanad undertaken by Save
Farmers’Campaign a consortium of NGOs in
Wayanad under the aegis of KSSF.
● A total of 1690 persons committed suicide
between 2000 and 2008.
● Thavinjal Panchayat recorded the highest number
of suicide followed by Mananthavady,
Ambalavayal, Poothadi, Panamaram and
Pulpally. Vengapalli recorded the lowest number
of suicide.
● The year 2007 witnessed the highest number of
suicide (229) followed by the year 2006 (213).
● Gender wise segregation shows that of the total
number of those who committed suicide 75.5%
were male and 24.5% were female.
● Survey reveals the precarious nature of the health
of the people of Wayanad. Incidence of cancer,
heart and kidney related illnesses are on the
increase.
● Community wise segregation of suicide
households reveal that the Ezhava/Thiyya
community and the Roman Catholics rob the
highest number of suicides. While the Ezhava
community rank first in the list of suicide with
21.42%, Roman Catholics rank second with
15.33%.
● It was believed that suicide was anathema to
tribal communities. But 19.94 % of suicides were
Kerala Social Service Forum
from tribal communities with Paniya community
ranking first.
● Only 3.43% of the victims were reported as
illiterate. 749 out of the total of 1690 victims had
education up to SSLC and 136 cases were
reportedly educated above SSLC.
● Occupation status of the victims was studied.
While 15.62% were farmers, 44.56% were daily
wage earners-most of them agricultural labourers.
● It is pertinent to note that majority of the victims
had land holding to the range of less than one
acre. While 60% had less than one ace of land
only 2.07% had land more than 5 acre. 6.27 %
victims were land less.
● The causes of suicide are multi-factorial and
interlinked. The study has found that out of 1403
suicide victims, 30.72% (430) cases can be
allotted to economic reasons and 69.28% (972)
cases to non –economic reasons. There was no
response from 287 households.
● Indebtedness has been identified by 27.73% of
the surveyed as the principal causative factor for
suicide. Main reason for indebtedness is
attributed to repeated crop failure, crash in
agricultural products, increasing cost in farm
inputs.
● Unhealthy competition, luxurious lifestyle,
addiction, medical expense consequent to
chronic illness etc are oter reasons for
indebtedness.
● Survey points out the breakdown of traditional
support systems in families and society at large.
● Speaking of religion Roman Catholic community
with all its socio religious support systems seems
to have failed to design appropriate response to
an adverse situation that has direct bearing on
its faith.
● The dichotomy between tradition and modernity
surfaces through the analysis of the farm crisis.
This is more explicit in the case of tribal
communities who exposed to modernity seem
to have lost its traditional support systems.
● Survey confirms the common perception that
farm crisis has direct bearing on the phenomenon
of anomic suicide in Wayanad.
Study Initiated
Incidence of killer diseases was high in certain
regions due to suspected pesticides residue in food
crops, as a result of excessive use of chemicals in
farming. Under this context a research study has been
initiated in Thavinjal Panchayath as part of FARM
Project. Draft report has been prepared.
38
Documentation

Documentary on WatSan Jalam..Janam..Jeevitham

A video document replicating models of WatSan
was recorded under the WatSan program. The title of
the documentary is “Jalam...Janam…Jeevitham...”
(Water…people…life...). This captured all the best
practices among partners and also the responses/
initiatives of the community. Structural demonstration
of water recharging, backwashing, filter well, chamber
filter, biogas plants, eco-san latrines, interview with
beneficiaries, point persons, Directors and PRI members
was recorded.
Mrs. Lakshmi Shankar, Documentation Officer,
was the team leader.

Publications

39 Annual Report 2009-10

IEC Materials

Poster on Disaster Vigilance Week
A poster on disaster vigilance week was designed
and printed. The same was circulated among the
partners and exhibited throughout the operational areas
of the CBDP project during disaster vigilance week
observance 2009.
Poster campaign on “World Forestry Day 2010”
A multicolor poster was developed on world
forestry day and circulated to the partners. All the
partners exhibited the posters in the operational areas
through the task forces. On the same day various task
forces organized community gatherings to announce
the importance of conserving forest resource of the
nation. It was an awakening exercise for the task forces
in environment protection, forest conservation and its
relevance. 1000 posters printed and circulated.

Diocesan partners Joined in the protest against BT Bringal

KSSF initiated fasting as a protest against the BT Brinjal promotion across
Kerala on 30th January 2010. . The protest envisioned to protect the traditional
seeds and make aware the farmers and villagers regarding the harmful impacts of
BT Bringal in the field of agriculture, health and economy.

Kerala Social Service Forum 40

Liaisoning
Liaison Office -Thiruvanathapuram The Government Departments, which are
interacted by KSSF Liaison Department
Laisoning and lobbying on behalf of the member
organizations is an important mission of the regional 1. State Horticulture Mission
Forum. The Liaison Office in the capital city could 2. Vegetable Fruit Promotion Counsel Kerala
strengthen its relationship with the different departments
3. National Horticulture Mission
of the State Govt and negotiate effective partnership.
The wide possibilities of sourcing State fund was explored 4. National Medicinal Plants Board
and the mediation of the Laison office did unfold in 5. Coconut Development Board
successful partnership with Government line 6. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute
Departments. We have established ourselves as a 7. Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium
credible network that can work with the Govt in a range
8. Directorate of Marketing
of programs in community mobilisation and poverty
eradication. 9. Spices Board
10. Department of Biotechnology
11. Kerala State Agency for Expansion of Cashew
Objective
12. Ministry of Agriculture; Central Sector Scheme
● To network with Government departments, quasi
Government departments, corporations and 13. The Non Resident Keralite Affair Department;
boards under the patronage of Government for NORKA ROOTS
formulation of policies and for NGO collaboration. 14. Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare
● Information Exchange and updating relevant data Corporation
● Lobbying for partnership in relief, welfare and 15. State Social Welfare Department
development interventions 16. State Fisheries Department
● Representing DSSS to Government Departments
17. State Agricultural Department
and following up on their behalf
● Helping the DSSS for effective action 18. State Women’s Commission
● Linking CRS to State Programs 19. Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation
20. Ministry of Environment and Forest
21. Kerala State Backward Class Development
Strategies Corporation (KSBCDC)
● Linkages with state/central government 22. National Horticulture Board (NHB)
departments and govt sponsored corporations. 23. Central Social Welfare Board
● Transferring information on funding possibilities
24. NABARD
and NGO collaboration
● Timely transfer of notifications, application 25. Ministry of Textile
guidelines and forms 26. Ministry of Science and Technology
● Forwarding applications and following up with 27. Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs.
concerned departments
28. Ministry of Social and Justice
● Representing DSSSs/KSSF for project
discussion etc..
● Representing KSSF in conferences and
workshops at the capital city.

41 Annual Report 2009-10

 Some of the Successful Ventures in Government-DSSSs Collaboration
Schemes and Projects DSSSs Availed Total Amount Sanctioned
Kerala State Handicapped Persons KSSS (Kottayam) 2,60,000
Welfare Corporation NIDS (Neyyatinkara)
VSSS (Vijaypuram)
COD (Thamarassery)
TSSS (Thalassery)
National Environment KSSS (Kottayam) 48,000
Awareness Campaign KSSS (Kotahamangalam)
State Horticulture Mission KSSS (Kottayam) 48,72,800
NIDS (Neyyatinkara)
SHREYAS (Bathery)
QSSS (Quilon)
TSSS (Thalassery)
Vanamoolika (Wayanadu)
SAMRUDHY (Muvattupuzha)
COD (Thamarassery)
WSSS (Mananthavady)
MASS (Kottayam)
PSSS (Pala)
NORKA ROOTS KSSS (Kottayam) 4,81,270
VSSS (Vijayapuram)
CHASS (Changanserry)
Kerala State Backward QSSS (Quilon) 2,60,000
Class Development Corporation PSSS (Pala)
(KSBCDC) KSSS (Kottayam)
PDS (Bathery)
ESSS (Verapoly)
WSE (Ernakulam)
SWCT (Thrissur)
KIDS (Kottappuram)
COD (Thamarassery)
JEEVANA (Kozhikode)
TSSS (Thalassery)
KAIROS (Kannur)
National Horticulture Board HDS (Highrange Development Society) 20,00,000
Central Social Welfare Board TSSS (Thalassery) 70,144
NABARD JEEVANA (Kozhikode) 42,07,775
SAFI (Thrissur)
COD (Thamarassery)
QSSS (Quilon)
HDS (Idukki)
SHREYAS (Bathery)
Ministry Of Textiles AHVY- Project SHREYAS (Bathery) 2,54,000
SWCT (Thrissur)
GRAND TOTAL 1,17,18,719

Rs. 1,17,18,719 was mobilised from the State Governments Projects

Kerala Social Service Forum 42

 Funding Opportunities Disseminated to the
Partners
● Ministry of Environment and Forest
● Ministry of Textile - Ambedkar Hastasilp Vikas
Yojna
● State Horticulture Mission
● Centre for Environment and Development
● National Commission for Minorities
● Bio - technology Innovation for Rural Development
● Ministry of Tribal Affairs
● NABARD
● NORKA
● Grants for Development of Play Grounds from
State Youth Board
● National Commission for Women
● Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare
Corporation
● Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and
Environment
● Rural Business Hubs from Ministry of Panchayat
Raj
● Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation
● European Instrument for Democracy and Human
Rights
● Grants from European Commission for Gender
Equality
Assessment of Care and Support and
Prevention of HIV/AIDS Programme
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) supported project on
Care and Support and Prevention of HIV/AIDS with
special reference to the People Infected with HIV/AIDS
(PLHIVs) in Kerala” have been implemented by 10
partners primarily the Diocesan Social Services
Societies (DSSS) of Kerala. The project started in the
year 2007 and scheduled to end in December 2009.
As part of the evaluation, Dr. Anil Krishna (external
evaluator) interacted with Directors of DSSS, Project
Management and Implementing Team, Outreach
Workers, and the project beneficiaries. He also met with
Government officials and other key actors supporting
the project at various stages. The review was done in
qualitative nature, using project literature and data
generated through discussions at various levels. The
report comprises of a comprehensive findings of 10
projects, which included the major problems faced during
the project planning, implementation period and
recommendations for future direction. The assessment
43
● Department of Science and Technology (DST)
● UK Department for International Development
● Red Ribbon Award
● International Labor Organizations Innovation
Grand
● Department of Biotechnology
● United Nation Global Initiative to Fight Human
Trafficking
● Swiss Re International Resource Award for
Sustainable Watershed Management – 2011
● Development Innovation Fund for Small and
Medium sized NGOs
● Democratic Fund for NGOs
Forthcoming Programs
● DST (Department of Science & Technology)
Projects
● NABARD Projects
● NHB (National Horticulture Board) Project
● Post Harvest Management Workshop
● NORKA scheme- for the Second Batch
● SHM (State Horticulture Mission) Projects
● NMPB (National Medicinal Plants Board) Projects
● Bio Technology Projects
● Biodiversity Projects
started with the finalization of the research questions
and tools with KSSF. The interaction with the
implementing partners started during the period of
November 3-13, 2009.
The project has made a good beginning to all the
partner organizations in the field of HIV/AIDS and gained
knowledge. From directors down to the field staff has
reported that they had acquired fresh insights on issues
related to HIV/AIDS especially, the care and support
component. The new insights have also led to
perceptible changes in capacity like increased
confidence to address the public on the sensitive issues
such as addressing stigma. This project has built
extraordinary levels of relationships across various
government departments such as PRIs, health, social
welfare and local NGOs. The partnership with Rotary
and Lions’ clubs were also explored by the partner and
gained result out of it. Further, the partners have been
integrated HIV/AIDS project to their other projects and
Annual Report 2009-10
programs for the sustainability.
Income Generation Programs (IGPs) have
Women and Child
impacted the lives of the infected and the affected people
significantly. Formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Protection program
integrating the infected and affected people and
entrepreneurship development initiatives are indeed
effective and yielded considerable impact in the care
and support and prevention strategy in HIV/AIDS
programs implemented by the partners over the years.
Many of the organization had been documenting the
best practices which are focusing towards community
mobilization through the awareness generation. The
project activities and initiatives of the partners helped
the community for their behavioral, attitudinal change
thereby adoption of healthy life style. While
implementing this project the partners learnt that the
PLHIVs need to be treated as normal human beings so
that it could reduce the discrimination and stigma to
some extent. Further, the stigma at their family level
needs to be addressed first and this would help the
implementers in addressing the discrimination at larger
level.
The community has a major role in the
development of PLHIVs especially on care and support.
The due importance was given to the community
members to promote the 4 community participation even
in the beginning of the project. To reach out more PLHIVs Five coastal districts of Kerala were covered under this
the project has identified about 15 Outreach Workers program to ensure safe migration, to reduce domestic
and over 10 peer educators from the PLHIV communities. violence, campaign on increasing incidents of
Although the partners had faced problems in identifying trafficking. Our achievements;
the Out Reach Workers from the direct beneficiary,
however some of the partners were able to identify all a. 106 Community Vigilance Groups with 2111
the ORWs from the PLHIVs. members are formed &
b. 86 Bala Panchayats with 3347 members were
The project period is too short to come up with organized under the program.
visible impact. The attitudinal and behavioral change of c. 7 Counseling centers were established as part of
community has impacted little in reduction of stigma at the project which are effectively extending services
various levels. The PLHIVs have developed skills on to the communities. 585 clients were reached out of
livelihood which gained confidence and lead a healthy which 178 cases were handled successfully and the
and positive living. Some of the notable impact was rest are in progress.
primarily on the change in the attitude of the d. 604 unemployed youth were successfully trained on
stakeholders especially the PRI members. The project various trades. All of them were placed with various
has also provided the awareness on HIV/AIDS to the agencies with attractive packages. Out of which 65%
different session of the general community. There are are stable.
many case studies documented in this project, where e. 5 Legal Aid Cells were formed as part of the project
most of them were focusing on care and support related are effectively functioning through which 46 cases
issues with respect to stigma and discrimination. It was are successfully settled so far.
evident that the creation of awareness, care and support f. 7 Street Play teams were formed with focus content
activities created an impact in the community and delivery as part of the project is sustained. They are
subsequently the communities were accepting the retained by the partners’ mainstreaming effort to their
PLHIVs and eventually they were leading a happy life. regular development programs.

Kerala Social Service Forum 44

AMOS CENTRE
AMOS, the commitment of Kerala Social Service
Forum in capacitating the Voluntary, Government and
Corporate Sectors for shaping their interventions for
human and social development, stands for Animation,
Motivation, Orientation and Strengthening. Established
in the year 2000, AMOS training centre offers quality
training programs to its stakeholders and provide the
facilities to those who engaged in developmental
activities. We have arrangements with various
Government Departments, Quasi Government
institutions and Non Government Organizations for
Trainings, workshops, seminars and other capacity
building programs.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES ORGANIZED BY KSSF

Name of the Program No. of Programmes
Training Programme for the Point Persons of CBDP 4
Training Programme for the Point Persons of Sureksha 2
Right to Food Campaign 1
Training of Trainers Programme for the Gender Co-Ordinators 1
IDEA Coordinators Meeting 1
IDEA Consultants Meeting 1
Farm Review & Coordinators Training 2
Directors & Program Officers Capacity Building Programme 3
Sect oral Perspective Plan Work-shops 4
Review Meeting of CBDP 1
Total 20

TRAINING PROGRAMMES ORGANIZED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

Name of the Program No. of Programmes
District Inistitute for Education Training Kottayam 2
Kudumbasree Kottayam 1
Medial College Kottayam 1
Mahathma Gandhi University Kottayam 7
Youth welfare Board 1
Sarvashiksha Abhiyan Kottayam 2
Total 13

TRAINING PROGRAMMES ORGANIZED BY NGOs AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Name of the Program No. of Programmes
Theme Centered Intervention Kottayam ( TCI) 7
GET WIN Marketing Net work Ernakulam 3
Council of People Living with HIV AIDS of Kerala (CPK + ) 2
Kerala Panchayath Employees Association 1
Backward Minority Communities Employees Federation 1
Fraternity for Peace 3
Workshop on meditation 3
Centre For Reform and Research Trivandrum 1
2
P B S Kottayam 1
Total 24

45 Annual Report 2009-10

Other Programs
Advocacy
Opinion building on National Policy on Voluntary
Sector
KSSF initiated a series of formal and informal
discussions on the draft National Policy on Voluntary
Sector. Member organizations and other NGOs were
consulted and critical comments were communicated
to both to the Central and State Govt. This Forum is
presently engaged in lobbying with the Govt for
amendments to the Direct Taxes Bill under consideration
of Parliament.
Idukki Farmers protest
The land right of farmers in Idukki has been a
vexing issue engaging the attention of the political
parties and the State Government since decades. In a
State where land struggles have altered the political
equations disputes about title deeds to genuine farmers
continue to be shrouded in controversies.
High Range Samrakshana Samithi organized a
massive gathering of farmers from all parts of Idukki at
Kattapana on 12th March .The one day fast protest
meet was preceded by a rally of farmers. Mar Mathew
Direct Taxes Bill
Kerala Social Service Forum took up a host of
issues for advocacy with Government. Representation
on behalf of the member organizations on Direct Taxes
Code was a major initiative. Circulation of drat bill and
study papers on the bill explaining the implications which
provoked a wide discussion among the member
organizations leading to a wide range of response. A
consultation was arranged on 17th October at AMOS
centre which was attended by all the directors and
chartered Accountants engaged by member
Kerala Social Service Forum
Representation on Coastal Management Zone
Notification
KSSF joined the host of organizations that called
for the withdrawal of the notification titled “Coastal
Management Zone Notification, 2008 “by the Ministry
of Environment and Forests Govt of India. We stay
vigilant about about the Fishing control notification and
free trade pact (ASEAN).KSSF is involved in discussion
with Govt on effective implementation of Kuttanad and
Idukki packages.
Arakkal, Bishop of Kanjirappally diocese and Chairman
of Justice Peace and Development (JPD) Commission
led the rally. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kochupurackal, the
Director of High Range Development Society is the
President of High Range Samrakshana Samithi.
Fr. Romance Antony, Executive Director of KSSF,
Fr. Jacob Kattady, Director-CHASS and Mrs. Silpa Tresa
Sebastian, State Program Officer, KSSF participated in
the rally and fast offering the support of KSSF to the
struggle of farmers for entitlement.
organizations This was followed by individual
representations by all the DSSSs to the Union Finance
Minister. Mar Mathew Arackal the Chairman of the Forum
made a personal representation to the prime Minister
and UPA chair person on them subject.. Subsequently
when the revised draft was released urnet meeting of
directors was held at the office of Malankara Social
service Society, Trivandrum to study the draft bill. KSSF
submitted a representation to the Union Finance minister
suggesting yet other changes in the bill.
46
Relief at Malabar
Heavy monsoon rains in mid-July flooded villages
in three districts of Kerala (Wayandu, Kannur and Calicut)
and displaced families, causing extensive damage to
homes and farm land. Kerala Social Service Forum
with the support of Diocesan Social Service Societies
working in the area responded to the floods with food
items, medical services and well cleaning services.
Monsoon flooding extended for 15 days from July
15th to July 30th 2009 inundated villages and caused
major damage to homes and a loss of personal items
such as utensils, cloths, food articles and other valuable
documents. As a result of the floods, 232 homes were
completely destroyed 488 homes partially. Financial
support of $4009672 was arranged from Caritas India
and CRS for the relief efforts.
No: of families received food Kits 2890
No: of families received Family Kits 2112
No: of families received Clothing 1862
No: of patients attend the medical treatment 3631
No: of wells Cleaned 259
No: of families are benefitted after 729
the well cleaned
No: of people received the 17285
Hygiene message
47
NORKA
Skill Upgradation and Pre-departure Orientation- A
NORKA-ROOTS Programme
The Non Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA)
offered skill up-gradation training and Pre-Departure
orientation to prospective overseas job seekers in Kerala.
This programme was implemented in Kerala with the
assistance of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs,
Government of India to upgrade the skills of its young
workforce to meet the challenges of future needs in the
Overseas Employment market.
Shri. V.S. Achudananthan, Chief Minister, Kerala
State inaugurated the programme at Trivandrum,
September 17, 2009. The district level inauguration of
the programme was done by the District Collector of
Kottayam Ms. Mini Antony at YWCA Hall, Kottayam
on 7th October 2009. Mr. S.M Najeeb, General Manager,
Norka Roots, gave the Keynote Address on this
occasion. Fr. Romance Antony, Director of Kerala Social
Service Forum, Fr. Thomas Tharayil, Director of
Vijayapuram Social Service Society, Mr. K.B Vijayan,
Inspector of Training in Charge, Fr. Mathew Madathil,
Manager ITC, Kottayam, Sr. Judy, Principal of
Kaduthuruthy ITC along with the students selected for
the course were also present.
The duration of the course was 60 academic days
with technical training on plumbing and electrician, diesel
mechanic and carpentry along with English language
proficiency training and Personality Development,
Computer Training and Pre departure Orientation. Norka-
Roots spent Rs4000/- per student. Total 97 students
benefitted from this program. The institutions with us;
Mary Matha ITC, Kaduthuruthy Plumbing & Electrician
St. Josephs ITC, Nagampadom Diesel Mechanic
Khadi Gramodyoug, Changanaserry Carpentry
Annual Report 2009-10
Spiritual Exercises at Taipei

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES organized by the Est (2005) states that the essential requirement for those
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL COR UNUM was a historic event who serve in the Church’s charitable organizations is to
for the social apostolate of Catholic Church. From 6-11 be persons moved by Christ’s love. Pope calls for a
September 2009 the Pontifical Council Cor Unum held formation of hearts for charity workers, both professional
Spiritual Exercises for the Presidents and Directors of and volunteer. This conference follows the Spiritual
Charity from throughout Asia. The participants numbering Exercises organized by Cor Unum in June-2008 at
460 including 5 Cardinals, 60 Bishops from 27 nations Guadalajara –Mexico for the American continent. The
and 260 dioceses joined together to give witness to assembly that represented Asian continent reflected on
Christian Charity. The event took place at FU Jen Pope Benedict‘s teaching on Charity as an unavoidable
Catholic University in Taipei, Taiwan. Cardinal Paul J mark of the Church.
Cordes the President Pontifical Council Cor Unum and The theme of the conference was “You did it to
the chief organizer of the program was present me” (Mt.25, 40). The conference besides providing a
throughout the program. Sr. Prema Superior General of platform for the apostles of Christian love to come
the missionaries of Charity was among a host of team together placed charity workers in the context of the
leading the spiritual exercises. call of Jesus to find him in the poor and enabled the
Kerala Social Service Forum 48
Pope Benedict in his first encyclical Deus Caritas responsibles of social work in the dioceses of Asia to
discover their identity within the mission and ministry of and a dozen Bishops were part of the Indian team. The
the Church. Kerala presence in the Spiritual Exercises consisted of
The conference provided a life time experience nineteen (19) Directors of Diocesan Social Service
for participants to set the right mind set and spirituality Societies and the state officer of Caritas India in Kerala.
for charity workers. The present responsibles of social The commission for Justice Peace and Development of
work in the Church are fortunate to be part of this historic KCBC is proud to have been associated with this unique
moment of spiritual celebration. It was a rare moment program which has cemented the commitment of the
when the diocesan directors found their vocation around Church to the least, the last and the last.
the Eucharistic table, reflections of the gospel, the The Kerala team which left for Taipei on 5th Sept
sacrament of reconciliation and the traditional devotions after participating in the Spiritual Exercises found time
of the Church. The whole program provided opportunity to join a one day cultural tour of Taiwan and on way
for our diocesan social service societies for interaction back home visited Singapore for two days. At Singapore
and indeed strengthened the bond among the directors the team could interact with the malayalee community
of diocesan Charity and social service. of St. Stephen’s Parish in Singapore. The team returned
The Indian contingent consisted of 127 persons on 15th September enriched with a unique sense of
49 Annual Report 2009-10
from 117 dioceses. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi belonging to the mission of the Church.
Visit To China
With a view to study the growth of People’s
Republic of China , the Chairman and director journeyed
through China from 23rd to 31st July 2009. Journey took
them to Beijing, Xian, Shanshai and Suzhour. Besides
of the faithful.
China and India share ancient legacy of humanity
and the prospects of co-operation between the two
nations would contribute towards the growth of human
civilization, development and world peace.

visiting the renowned cultural heritage sites the team

held extensive study of agricultural practices of China Visit o Rome
as well as its traditional medicine. Visit to China Chairman & Director journeyed to the eternal
Academy for Chinese medicine, Northwestern city – ROME in the third week of Dec 2009 to interact
Agricultural University (a key state university under the with the president of Italian Bishops’Conference. A
supervision of the ministry of Education in the people’s proposal for revamping the social intervention sector of
republic of china) and the Institute of Chinese Materia the Church in Kerala was presented to CEI. In the
medica (engaged in research of Chinese material discussion that followed priorities for the Church in Kerala
medica) proved very informative. Discussions on in the total development of the state was pointed out.
traditional agriculture and medicine in China and India The president of CEI highlighted the need to address
was arranged and attended by senior officials of the the concerns of the marginalized sections of people.
university and the concerned ministries. Traditional
Chinese Medicine hailing a legacy of 5000 years has
protected the health care of the Chinese people. Modern
research has resulted in remarkable achievements and
provides healing for many a modern illness. Visit to the
Agricultural University and a few farms showed the
determination of a nation to protect its traditional
practices while blending with modern technology. Mr.Lin
Zuoping a senior official of the ministry of education
hosted a dinner for the two member team from Kerala
Church.
Meeting with His Exc. Jin Luxian Bishop of
Shangai diocese was memorable and inspiring. We
could see a vibrant Church that has come through the
dark tunnel of cultural revolution and the perils of the
bamboo curtain that has not yet been fully removed.
Shanghai Diocese covers 143 churches with more than
160 religious committed to God’s service (including
bishops,priest and nuns) and about 500,000 members

Kerala Social Service Forum 50

 Adieu
1. Rev. Fr. Varghese Thannikuzhiyil SHREYAS,
2. Rev. Paul Moojely Welfare Services Ernakulam
3. Rev. Fr. Thomas Muthalathara Samridhy Social Service Society
4. Rev. Fr. Joemon Varghese Punalur Social Service Society
5. Rev Fr. Detto Fernandez Quilon Social Service Society
6. Rev. Fr. Joseph Oliakkatil Centre for Overall Development
7. Rev. Fr. Varghese Marathoor Bodhana
8. Rev. fr. Wilson Thattaruthundil Malankara Social Service Society

Welcome to the New Directors

Rev. George Vettickattil SHREYAS,
Rev. Thomas Vaikathuparambil Welfare Services Ernakulam
Rev. Geevarghese Melepidikayil Samridhy Social Service Society
Rev. Roy B. Simson Punalur Social Service Society
Rev. Rajesh Martin Quilon Social Service Society
Rev. Joseph Thekumkattil Centre for Overall Development
Rev. Wilson Bodhana
Rev. John Vilayil Malankara Social Service Society

New Bishops
We warmly welcome our new shepherds to lead the Church:
1. Mar. Remigiose Inchananiyil Bishop of Thamarassery,
2. Mar. Pauly Kannookadan Bishop of Irinjalakuda,
3. Joseph Mar Thomas Bishop of Bathery.
4. Mar Bosco Puthur Curial Bishop of the Syro Malabar
Archiepiscopal Church
5. Mar Raphel Thattil Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Trichur
6. Samuel Mar Irenious Auxiliary Bishop Trivandrum Major Archdioces
7. Philipose Mar Sthephanos Auxiliary Bishop Thiruvalla Arch Diocese
8. Thomas Mar Antonios Bishop of the Syro Malankara
Major Archiepiscopal Curia.

30th Member of KSSF

His Excellency Most Rev. Yuhanan Mar Chrysostom Pathanamthitta Social Service Society led by Fr. Christy
was installed the first Bishop of the newly-formed Thevaravelil is the 30th member of our family. We greet
Pathanamthitta diocese of the Malankara Syrian the head of the new diocese and warmly welcome the
Catholic Church on 20th March 2010. “Anugraha”, DSSS.

51 Annual Report 2009-10

Annual Accounts

Kerala Social Service Forum 52

53 Annual Report 2009-10
Kerala Social Service Forum 54
55 Annual Report 2009-10
 KERALA SOCIAL SERVICE FORUM
AMOS CENTRE,, THELLAKOM, KOTTAYAM, KERALA - 686 016

Outflow of Funds

1 AMOS Expenditure
2 Local Fund
3 Capital Expenditure
4 Earmarked Funds

Inflow of Funds

1 AMOS Expenditure
2 Local Fund
3 Capital Expenditure
4 Earmarked

Kerala Social Service Forum 56

 Staff tour to Goa

Onam Celebration

X Mas Celebration

59 Annual Report 2009-10

Kerala Social Service Forum
AMOS Center, Adichira, Thellakom P.O.,
Kottayam, Kerala - 686 016, India
Tel: 0481 - 2594802/ 03
Fax: 0481 - 2591795
kssforum@yahoo.com
www.kssf.org

Regional Offices

Opp Civil Staton, Kalpatta North,

Wayanad, Kerala - 637 122
Tel: 04936 - 206473
sfcwayanad@gmail.com

TC 26/269, Spencer Junction, AGS Office P.O.,

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 039
Tel: 0471 - 2325401
kssftvm@gmail.com