Jyothir Vikasa
JYOTHIR VIKASA, SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY, DIOCESE OF MANDYA
Background information of the Organization:
JYOTHIR VIKASA:JYOTHIR VIKASA is the Social Service Wing of the Diocese of Mandya – a new Catholic diocese started in the year 2010 in the State of Karnataka. Being Diocesan Social Service Society, its area of operation is same as that of the diocese comprising four districts, namely, Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan. Total area of the diocese is 24,336 sq.Kms. and total population is 67,33,131. It is a registered charitable society under the Societies Registration Act of Karnataka with Reg.No. SOR-MDY/13/2011-12. It has also obtained statutory registrations like PAN, 12 A Registration under Income Tax and 80G registration.
HISTORY:Before the erection of the diocese, its operational area were under the jurisdiction of the erstwhile Diocese of Mananthavady and were under the socio-pastoral ministry of CMI Congregation and MST Society. During 1980 integrated rural community development interventions and projects were undertaken in different village centers as part of Missionary work under the auspices of St. Thomas Mission Society. Jyothir Vikasa was one such village center at Kalenahalli near Mandya town. In spite of many achievements, this initiative lost momentum due to various reasons. But after the erection of the new diocese, Jyothir Vikasa has now been reformed and formed into a charitable society and a new organization in 2011 and is made the Diocesan Social Service Society. It is now trying to make new initiatives in rural community development and for empowerment of the poor and marginalized in the society.JYOTHIR VIKASA is in its budding stage of organizational development especially with regard to infrastructure and programs, organizational development, resource mobilization, formulating and developing perspective plans as well as developing systems for governance and management.
VISION: An integrally developed society where love, peace, justice,harmony, equality are flourished and protected
MISSION :Enhance human dignity through a process of empowerment of the resource – poor and marginalized with special focus on women & children , disabled, farmers and indigenous people by ensuring civil rights and ecological justice.
FOCUS AREAS OF INTERVENTION:
- WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
- HEALTH
- DENIAL OF RIGHTS
- GOOD GOVERNANCE
- LIVELIHOOD
SERVICES OF DSSS:
* Organization of Community –Based People’s Organizations in 100 villages
* Micro Finance Programs through SHGs
* Primary and Community Health Care through rural Dispensaries in 7 Centers.
* Promotion of elementary education through non formal education.
* Vocational Training Centers and Production/ Assembling Units.
* Women Empowerment
* Tribal Development
IMPACTS:
During the past, different projects and programs had been implemented in Mandya district even though it was not under the banner of Jyothir Vikasa. These programs were undertaken and implemented under the auspices of St. Thomas Mission Society, Mandya, which has its impacts as mentioned below. However, Jyothir Vikasa, being now a new organization, has yet to make a mark.
· Improvement in literacy of the rural people
· Reduction in number of school drop outs
· Increased awareness on social issues and problems among the village communities
· Members from SHGs elected to the local governmental bodies
· Income generation activities started by SHG members and groups
· Vocational skills imparted to women and drop out girls
· Providing training and employment to women in Production and Assembling Units
· Educational improvement of children of nomadic tribes
· Improved awareness of health and community role, Etc. are overall impacts.
Certificate u/s 12 A- Income Tax Act 1961: F.No.J-48/12AA/CIT/MYS/2011-12
Approval u/s 80G- Income Tax Act: F.No.J-48/80G/CIT/MYS/2011-12
PAN. AABTJ4792M.
1. ASHAKIRANA : Support Program for the HIV affected.
ASHA KIRANA is now a program of Jyothir Vikasa to help the HIV/AIDS infected and affected people of Mandya and nearby Taluks. More than 350 such people are now supported through referring to treatment Centers, counseling, providing nutritious food support, awareness and training programs, Support Group meetings, educational support to children, linkage to ART centers and hospitals, availing support from Govt. schemes etc. During the past three months, 14 new cases were identified and referred to ART Center at District Hospital, Mandya. 55 people were referred and brought to ICTC(Integrated Counseling and Testing Center,Mandya).
Support Group Meetings and Nutritious food support:
Over 180 infected people and their families are helped on a regular basis through monthly Support Group meetings conducted at Jyothir Vikasa Office. They are formed into five groups and group meetings have been conducted in the past months. Support Group meetings were conducted in September, October and November and over 85 people participated. Awareness classes on health, nutrition, ART treatment, social and family problems faced by the affected population etc. are conducted. These meetings have also been occasions for the affected to overcome their depression and get social support, counseling and emotional support and to think positively about their life.
Food packets containing nutritious food items like eggs, pulses and cereals, ragi, oil etc sufficient for one week for an infected person were distributed in the meetings. In October, clothes were also distributed to the needy, which were collected and provided by Thomattuchal and Moolankave parishes of Mananthavady Diocese. Mr. Pradeep, coordinator, Vikasana(NGO, Mandya), Mr. Krishnagowda, coordinator, ODP Mysore, gave awareness classes during these meetings.
Monthly Scholarship for 15 children from Govt.
Through the efforts of Jyothir Vikasa, 15 HIV/AIDS infected and affected children have been referred to CWC (Child Welfare Committee, Mandya District) and they have been included in the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) and under this scheme they are now getting a monthly scholarship of Rs. 650/- Jyothir Vikasa staff Hemanthkumar and Manjula provided technical assistance for this.
HIV affected Children’s Meet at Guthalu, Mandya:
On October 26, 2013 HIV affected Children’s Meet was organized at Vimala Higher Primary School, Guthalu. 97 children and 50 parents participated in the meet. Awareness classes, sports and games for children, food and clothes distribution, parents’ meeting etc. were part of the program. The one day meet was begun with a formal meeting presided over by Fr. Kuriakos Kunnath, Director, Jyothir Vikasa and inaugurated by Mr. Girish, coordinator, KROSS, Bangalore. Mr. Yoganand K.A.S, social welfare officer, Mandya, Mr. Krishnagowda, coordinator ODP, Mysore, Fr. Paul Vazhappilly, chancellor, Mandya Diocese, Sr. Gracy Mathew , H.M, Vimala School, Sisters from Vimala Convent, Guthalu participated in the meeting and other programs of the day. The program was sponsored by the Mathru Sangam of Infant Jesus Cathedral, Hinkal and its representatives also visited the program and the children.
Awareness Programs:
HIV/AIDS Awareness programs were conducted in 13 villages of 5 Panchayats, 3 High Schools, 1 College and 2 Youth Organizations. SHG groups of villages in Halebeedu, Yeliyur, Gummanahalli, Induvalu, and Honaganahalli Grama Panchayats covering more than 500 people were given awareness. In three Govt. schools namely Govt. High School, Hurumaranakasalgere, Govt. High School, Bebi, Honaganahalli, and Govt. High School, Chinakurali , awareness classes were conducted during the past months. In Govt. P.U College, Chinakurali and two youth groups namely Sri Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga at Gummanahalli and Lorry Drivers and workers Sanga at Honaganahalli also awareness programs were conducted.
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day was observed on December 1. DAPCO (District Aids Prevention Council) under the Health Department of the Governmnet organized public rally in Mandya town. HIV affected people under the banner of Jyothir Vikasa also collaborated and participated in it. A seminar was also organized at Kalamandir, Mandya in which MLA, Health Dept. officials, Adarsh Jeevan Mandya network coordinators etc. participated.
AIDS Day programs were organized in Ragimuddanahalli and Molekoppal villages also. Seminars were conducted in both the places and Mrs. Manjula and Manjunath, ICTC counselors of Chinakurali CHC, and Dakshinamurthy, Health Inspector, Mandya were the resource persons.
2. Women Empowerment Program:
Jyothir Vikasa has also now become partner of a collaborative project supported by MISEREOR under the monitoring support of KROSS, Bangalore. Women Empowerment Project now being implemented by Jyothir Vikasa will be supported by these agencies for 30 months. Ms. Sudhamani MSW is appointed the coordinator of this project.
Capacity building of SHGs:
90 SHGs are now organized under Jyothir Vikasa in 4 Mission Centers: Cheekkanahally, Kalenahalli, Ragimuddanahalli and Pandithahalli. They are in 24 villages under 12 Panchayats. 4 Sisters and 4 Animators are now helping the SHGs and its members to improve their capacities, to understand their civic rights, to obtain their entitlements, to monitor their savings and credit and micro-finance programs. Regular trainings and classes are arranged in all these SHGs. Sr. Nancy, Women Empowerment coordinator, KROSS, Bangalore also visited different SHGs in October 2013 and offered suggestions for further improvement and action. Through the capacity building programs and involvement, now 6 people got houses under the Ashraya Mane Yojane of the Govt., many people have started enrolling for job cards under the MNREGA, 6 people got toilets under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
Training for Women Leaders :
On November 13, 2013, one day training was conducted for women SHG leaders at Bishop’s House, Kalenahalli in which 60 members participated. Most Rev. Bishop George Njaralakkatt inaugurated the program. Fr. Paul Vazhappilly, Chancelor, spoke to the leaders. Sr. Nancy and Mr. Varghese from KROSS gave training to the leaders on Panchayat Raj and Good Governance and enlightened them on their rights and duties.
3. Other Projects and Programs:
Caritas India is supporting a project for “ Improving the health standards of villages through right based approach”. The project support is for 3 years and many activities for the capacity improvement of the SHGs and its members are being undertaken now like awareness and efforts for waste management, efforts to obtain rightful entitlements from the local Govt., health awareness and awareness on hygiene and sanitation etc. Mr. Hemanthkumar MSW is now appointed coordinator of this program.
Health Camp at Elechakkanahalli:
In collaboration with San Joe Hospital, Mandya, a Health Camp was conducted at Elechakkanahalli in October 2013. About 300 patients attended the camp and got free check up, counseling and free medicines. A team of 5 doctors, 12 nurses and 4 para- medical staff under the leadership of Sr. Jessa MSJ offered their services for the people. Free blood check up by ICTC, Mandya also was there. Sr. Grace Anto SH, SHG leaders and Jyothir Vikasa staff organized the program.
Health Awareness Seminar by DHO :
Health awareness seminar was organized in Kalenahalli village on 22 Oct. 2013. District Health Officer Dr. Shivanand and team conducted the program in which awareness on vector borne diseases was given to the people.
Staff Trainings:
Jyothir Vikasa is giving due importance to staff development and training. During the past months staff were sent for different training programs to improve their capacities. Training in Right based Approach was conducted in Chaithanya Training Center, Shimoga on October 9,10 and 11. 6 staff members from Jyothir Vikasa participated. Training on Panchayatraj and Good Governance was conducted at KROSS, Bangalore on November 4&5 and ILMS (Internal Learning Monitoring System) training was conducted at KROSS on December 9&10 and staff of Jyothir Vikasa participated in these trainings.
DDC(Development Dynamics Course) which is an intensive 25 day’s International course organized by Caritas India. Sudhamani MSW, coordinator, Jyothir Vikasa participated in the program.
Visit of Caritas Chairman and team
Caritas India chairman, Bishop Lumen Montero, Fr. Peter Brank, Director KROSS, and Mr. Jimmy Mathew, Karnataka State officer, Caritas India visited Jyothir Vikasa on 29th January 2014. They also visited two villages – Sangapura under Cheekanahalli Mission Station and Chottanahalli under Kalenahalli Mission Station- and interacted with the SHG members organized by Jyothir Vikasa.
Inauguration of New Building of Jyothir Vikasa:
Jyothir Vikasa has now a new office cum residence building. The new building, built with the support from different donor agencies including Caritas India was inaugurated on 29th January 2014. The blessing of the new building was jointly done by Bishop Lumen Montero, Chairman, Caritas India and Bishop George Njaralakkatt of Diocese of Mandya. In the public meeting that followed, Bishop George Njaralakatt presided. Mr. Venkattaremana Reddy, representing District Commissioner inaugurated the function. Bishop Lumen Montero, MUDA Commissioner Mr. Mathai K, Rev. Fr. Peter Brank, Mr. Jimmy Mathew, Rev. Fr. Francis Kureekkal, MST Regional Director, spoke on the occasion. Fathers and Sisters from Mission Stations and institutions, people from different villages and neighbors and staff of Jyothir Vikasa participated.