KSSS
Kottayam Social Service Society
Kottayam Social Service Society
“Without a constant livelihood, there will be no constant heart.”- ― Ueda Akinari
With the increasing population, demand for basic needs has been steeply rising during the past five decades in most of the developing countries. The growing population needs food, clothing and shelter for themselves and fuel and fodder for their livestock. Livelihood Development Programmes of KSSS is designed in a way to assist marginalized people to improve the quality of life by providing access to livelihood opportunity and thereby giving hope to communities. The objective of KSSS`s livelihood programmes is to empower the local communities by empowering people’s economic capacity and by generating self-sustainable livelihood options. To do this, we forge partnerships with the private sector, governments and other foreign NGOs in order to deliver results for our beneficiaries by working with them to improve access to opportunities in entrepreneurship and employment.
Training was facilitated on various kinds of self-employment opportunities for the common man. Trainings were given in different fields keeping in view the market demand for the IGP. Different IGPs that help to improve the quality of living of self help group members were
In order to promote food security activities KSSS distributed 25 BV380 Mutta Kozhi and Hi-tech cage to KSSS Chunkom SHG members. Total 41 units were distributed in Chunkom region. They were also given 50kg of chicken feeds and required medicines for the chicken. The programme was officially inaugurated by Rev. Fr. George Puthuparambil (GVS President, Chunkom).
Skill training is one of the most important factors for economic development; it provides opportunities for employment and income generation. With the aim to encourage self-employment and enhance towards empowerment, KSSS organized Tailoring Training Programme in association with Federal Bank. The inauguration of the Tailoring Training Programme was held as part of 20th Chaithnya ‘Karshikamela’. Professor PJ Kurien (Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman) inaugurated the programme by handing over the logo to Mar Mathew Moolakkatt (Metropolitan Archbishop of Kottayam Archeparchy). The presence of dignitaries like Shri. Suresh Kurup (MLA), Fr. Sunil Perumanoor (Executive Secretary,KSSS), Mr. Zacharia Kuthrivelli (President District Panchayath, Kottayam), Mr. Anil Kumar V.V. ( Zonal Head, Federal Bank), Fr. Jijo Nellikakandathil ( Assistant Director, Chaithanya Pastoral Centre), Sr. Sowmy S. J. C. (Superior General, St. Joseph Congregation), Mr. Sanu George Thomas (President, Kottayam Press Club) made the occasion even more unique. Beneficiaries for the program were selected based on their interest to choose tailoring as a means of livelihood and there by achieving self-sustainability.
The objective of the program is to train candidates with Practical knowledge of Sewing and Tailoring; the defined content will provide the techniques of tailoring day to day used apparels by Infant, Ladies and Gents giving the sufficient opportunity of sustainable employment. KSSS organized a seven day advanced course in tailoring with the support of Usha International Limited in order to promote self-employment and income generation activities among poor women. The training was organized for 20 women selected from different groups of widows, differently-abled, spinsters and economically backward from Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy Blocks of Kottayam District. Training and tailoring machines were provided free-of-cost. The training sessions capacitated the trainees in machine repairing, stitching of cloth bags, churidars, frocks, pyjamas, blouses, kurthas, pants, shirts, skirts etc. Usha International Limited provided certificates for each participant. The Trainees are also entrusted with a mission of transferring the know-how to others in their villages. Smt. Mary Sebastian (President, District Panchayath) inaugurated the distribution of tailoring machines. Ms. Babitha T. Jessil (Programme Officer) coordinated the training programme.
The spiky hard exterior enclosing a sweet core is not only a summer hot favourite, but its many parts that are thrown away without a second glance can make for delicious dishes. SHG women from Neezhoor and Pazhathuruthu are all set to cash in on the Jackfruit for small business that involve processing and packaging Jackfruit-based snacks and preserves. Within lunchtime, the women laid out a feast of cutlets, payasam, Chakavada, chapathi, soup etc. with jackfruit as the primary ingredient. Field coordinators Mrs. Laila Philip and Mrs. Mercy Stephen coordinated the training with a participation of 20 SHGs.
In collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Kottayam Social Service Society organized Micro Enterprises Development Programme on tailoring. As part of the programme KSSS provided 13 days intensive tailoring training for 30 selected SHG members. Mrs. Divya S. (District Development Manager, NABARD) made a visit during the training programme and made interaction with participants.
Entrepreneurship always plays a catalytic and important role in the economic development. Small businesses provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, jobs for neighbors and gathering places for communities. They’re rooted in the landscape where they grow, and they give back vitality and sustenance. In this context KSSS on August 30th observed Small-Scale Entrepreneur’s Day at Kaipuzha. Shri. P.V Michael (President,Block Panchayath, Ettumanoor) inaugurated the day’s programmes at St. George’s Church Parish Hall, Kaipuzha. Fr. Mathew Kuzhippallil (GVS President, Kaipuzha) gave the presidential address. One of the vibrant and successful small-scale entrepreneurs of the village was honored amidst the function that was attended by around 200 people.
Kottayam Social Service Society organized training programme on ‘Value-added products from Fruits and vegetables’ at Krishibhavan, Karikunnam. 30 members from Mrala, Vadakkummuri and Karikkunnam region attended the programme focused on post harvest management of fruits and vegetables as well as production of value added products from the same. The training programme was led by Mrs. Ancy Mathew (EDP trainer). Mrs. Ivy (Agricultural officer) and Lissy Chacko (KSSS, Chunkom Co-ordinator) synchronized the programme. The programme intended to facilitate the villagers with new avenues for income generation utilizing fruits and vegetables.
The project ‘ARDRAM 2019’ was implemented by KSSS with the support of Caritas Italiana to promote Sustainable Livelihoods for flood affected people. Financial assistance was distributed for group farming, cow rearing, goat rearing and poultry farming. Mr. Prasoon Kuruvila (Manager of South Indian Bank, Thellakom) inaugurated ‘Ardram2019’ in a function held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre. 87 flood affected families of Pallom, Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy blocks of Kottayam district benefitted from this Flood Restoration project.
KSSS in collaboration with Sonata distributed financial assistance for rejuvenation of IGPs of flood victims. Fr. Sunil Perumanoor (Executive Secretary, KSSS) distributed the money to the beneficiaries of the programme organized at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre for the purchase of livestock like goat, cow, hen, duck, setting of petty shops and repairing of fishing boats. Tailoring machines were also distributed as part of the programme. Around Rs. 8, 18,000/- was thus made available as financial assistance to the flood victims of Kallara,Kumarakom and Vechoor villages of Kottayam district.
The Kottayam Social Service Society organized Beads Work Training Workshop at Chaithanya Pastoral Center, Thellakom with the objective of promoting self-employment. Training was imparted in fixing beads and embroidery works on fabric. The training was led by master trainer – Mrs. Leena Binu and KSSS workers. Around 50 participants from KSSS Kaduthuruthy region took part in the training.
KSSS distributed fishing nets at Vechoor Gramapanchayath of Kottayam district. A total of 149Fishermen in Vechoor Gramapanchayath received fishing nets worth Rs.1 7, 80,000/- in a function organized by KSSS in the Vechoor village. As part of the programme aspiring for the holistic development of the fishermen community, social welfare activities like boat restoration, distribution of fishing nets, Chinese nets, boat machines and installation of cold storage units were also implemented in a phased manner.
KSSS in association with Oxfam India organized vocational skill trainings in Alternative Lifestyle Practices for women from Alappuzha district. Shri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (MLA,Kottayam) inaugurated the programme held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre. Mrs. Bessy Jose (Coordinator, KSSS) provided training in manufacturing of soaps, lotion, phenol etc. for the participants. The resource kits were distributed among those who successfully completed the one-day training programme.
Kottayam Social Service Society in coalition with Goonj Federation organized a Six-day Training Programme on Coconut Climbing for farmers. Shri V. M. Chacko (Regional Transport Officer, Kottayam) climbed the coconut tree with the help of coconut climbing machine and expressed his acknowledgment for the job. In fact, the programme was inaugurated thus to motivate the trainees and instill in them a confidence and sense of dignity that’s essential for an ideal farmer and it made everyone excited. The six-day systematic training included demonstration and practical sessions in coconut climbing using machine, detailed classes on measures to be adopted for the protection of coconut trees, allied activities, possibilities for value addition, self employment opportunities, desirable qualities of an entrepreneur such as earning habit etc.
The second phase of loan distribution for Entrepreneurs being conducted by KSSS in collaboration with Kerala State Backward Development Corporation was carried out in June, 2021. As part of the project, loan were provided at low rates of interest for carefully scrutinized self-help group members living below double the poverty line to start self-employment programmes. An amount of Rs. 1 crore was made available under the scheme being implemented as per the rules and regulations of Kerala State Backward Development Corporation. The main aim is to promote a culture of entrepreneurship which can generate wealth and self-employment or wage employment leading to sustainable livelihood for target group population in the country.
