Project Coordination
Housing projects-A joint initiative of CEVA and ICC Kolon, Germany:
Flood Rehabilitation Program at Kainakary, Alappuzha
Kuttanad as a whole is a ‘water-logged’ region in Alappuzha District of Kerala State. The land here is virtually man-made and lying below the sea level. Kuttanad is considered to be as the major rice bowl of the country. The economy is purely depends upon agriculture and the employment opportunities are seasonal and solely depending on the vagaries of nature. There are innumerable canals, rivers, large backwaters, lagoons, lakes and extensive paddy fields which remain submerged in water during seasons and monsoon periods. Communication and transportation facilities are quite inadequate in this backward area.
Heavy monsoon rain for prolonged periods and the flash floods, often cause great havoc in this region. Unemployment, unhygienic and unsafe living conditions, poverty, ill health etc. are very common features experienced by the people of this region. These unexpected natural calamities made the life more rueful every year.
As part of flood relief program an initiative of housing program was decided to implement through CEVA at Kainakary, Alapuzha who were affected by the flood. Most of the houses in Kainakary Village were completely damaged by the flood. So understanding the need of shelter was fundamental for the people, it was planned and decided to construct a new house as a model which will be totally defend against flood in future. In this regard five damaged houses that were most deserving were selected in Kainakary village for reconstruction in support of Indian Catholic Association Kolon, Germany.
- Housing Project at Udaya Colony & Gandhi Nagar
CEVA is currently doing housing project to four families of a slum near ernakulam south railway station which is adjacent to city waste water stream. There are about hundred families with tiled huts and a few terraced houses. In order to make positive changes we are constructing houses that were severely affected by recent heavy rain, wind and floods.
- Combating COVID-19 Pandemic:
CEVA joined hands with 15 Provinces and its networking NGOs for distributing food kit with essential commodities, sanitizer and mask during the lockdown period. Our volunteers and staff across operational area actively involved in distributing food and sanitary items to poor migrant laborers, sick and elderly people reeling under starvation in the wake of loss of work due to corona virus crisis. Along with food materials essential medicines were provided to sick and elderly people with chronic ailment. With concerted effort of CEVA with 15 Provinces along with networking NGOs connected with poorest of poor people during corona virus out break by keeping and maintaining COVID protocols. Apart from this our educational infra structure facilities, hostels, and hospitals were opened and converted as front line health center / institutional quarantine facilities. Together with the Government machineries, CEVA and the networking team actively involved in combating COVID -19 and the process is still ongoing in several States in India.
- Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) at Niravilpuzha, Wayanad, (ICDP) Wayanad
The three year Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) at Niravilpuzha, Wayanad, funded by Centre for Social Action (CSA) Christ University, Bangalore and executed through CEVA was started in June 2019. The project includes Income Generation Programs (Distribution of Chicks), Computer Course, Tailoring Course, Tuition for Children, Counseling and Kitchen Garden Promotion. The programme implementation is in progress.
The official inauguration of ICDP project was conducted on 2nd December 2019. Fr. Dr. Abraham Vettiyankal CMI, Vice Chancellor Christ, (Deemed to be University) Bengaluru inaugurated the project. Rev. Fr. Varghese Vithayathil CMI, Vicar General and General Councilor for Social Apostolate and Moderator of CEVA welcomed the gathering. Dr. Victor Paul, Head, Sociology & Social work Department, Christ University gave introduction on the project. Presidential address was delivered by Dr. Antony Gregory, President,CEVA. Fr. Jinoj Palathadathil, Assitant. Director, WSSS Manathavady gave the key note Address. Mrs. GeethaBabu, President, Mananthavadi Block , Mr. P.A. Babu, President, Thondernadu Panchayath, Mr. Kesavan P, (14 Ward Member & Standing Committee Chairman – Health & Education) and Mr. Johnson Chirakkel, Trusty, St. Eliyas Church Mattilayam offered felicitations during the function. Fr. Dr. Varghese Kokkadan CMI, Secretary, CEVA delivered the vote of thanks. Overall 230 participants attended the function, including community leaders and elected members of the Panchayat.
Leadership Camp for Children
Leadership camp “INSPIRE -2019” was held on 18th, 19th & 21st January 2019 at A.U.P School Mattilayam for the tuition children who are studying in 3rd and 4th standard. The main aim of the camp was to inspire the students for their all over development, named the camp “INSPIRE -2019”. A total of 22 students participated in the camp. The school head master Mr. Shivan, the Head Master inaugurated the camp. The activities focused on mainly to increase their concentration, develop oneness and unity among them and to increase the leadership qualities etc. Class, group games, videos shows were very good to communicate various themes and subjects.
Distribution of Vegetable Seedling and Sapling
The climate of Wayanad is very suitable for the cultivation of vegetables. In order to cultivate the habit of kitchen gardening and promote self-sustainability in vegetables we distributed seedlings and saplings to farmers.
Training on Organic Farming & Animal Husbandry
In order to promote organic farming in agriculture and to increase the cultivation of vegetables and fruits by organic cultivation we have organized one day training on organic farming for the farmers. Two resource persons from Wayanad Social Service Society came and handled the sessions. They taught the farmers how to prepare various organic manure and organic pesticides with locally available resources. Livestock Inspector and field officer from veterinary department came and took class on how to grow chicks and cows economically in their own houses.
Training on Organic Farming & Animal Husbandry
In order to promote organic farming in agriculture and to increase the cultivation of vegetables and fruits by organic cultivation we have organized one day training on organic farming for the farmers. Two resource persons from Wayanad Social Service Society came and handled the sessions. They taught the farmers how to prepare various organic manure and organic pesticides with locally available resources. Livestock Inspector and field officer from veterinary department came and took class on how to grow chicks and cows economically in their own houses.
Tailoring
Tailoring and embroidery training to ladies completed first batch in December. Second batch is under progress. Certificates for the first batch are distributed. . Some of the ladies already started stitching from their home. We have also arranged a facility to come together and form a unit of tailoring of previous batch. They use to visit the unit and clarify their doubts and following the guidelines to form a tailoring unit.
Special Camps for Tribal Children
In order to bring forth the scheduled tribal children to fore front we have arranged special camp for them. Three week end camps arranged for them. Games such as carom board, foot ball, shuttle etc were arranged for them. Children were happy to come and participate in the camp.
Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP)
Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) initiated by CEVA with the support of Christ University Centre for Social Action (CSA) focuses on the welfare and development of the community. The three year (Sept 2015-Sept 2018) project operated in Kainakari (Alappuzha) and Udaya Colony (Ernakulam) of Kerala. The project was extended for another half year (till March 2019) after the scheduled three year, to support the victims of Kerala flood 2018.The focus areas are:
CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMMES
- School aid distribution – 393 children.
- Professional Education Support – 22 youth.
- Computer Training – 44 youths
- Value Added Learning for Upliftment in Education and Social Life – 150 students.
- Summer Program – 5 camps covering 270 students.
HEALTH
- Health Awareness Programme
- Health camps – 6 camps
- Treatment Support – 46 cancer/ terminally ill patients.
- Family & Community Enrichment – 650 families.
- Health and Happiness program for elderly – 50 elders.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
- Sustainable agriculture campaigns
- Kitchen Garden promotion – 280 families.
RESEARCH
- Aqua farming to grow 1000 fish seeds.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Cyriac Elias Voluntary Association (CEVA) initiated the Community Development Project with the support of Air Products in the 14th & 15th Ward of Vadavucode Puthencruz Panchayath. The project was commenced on 3rd September 2016, with distribution of free Universal Health Insurance to all families residing in the 15th ward of the Panchayath. Later, the geographical area of the project was extended to the 14th ward of the Panchayath. The project concluded on the 26th April 2019. The project activities include:
- Universal Health Insurance for 343 families covering 1188 beneficiaries; Personal Accident Policy for 1344 beneficiaries.
- Drinking water in the summer 2017 due to seasonal scarcity of water and later in 2018 (Sept-Oct) as post flood response.
- Medical camps were organized in collaboration with Sunrise Hospital Kakkanad and Rajagiri Hospital Aluva on 26th January 2017 and 10th June 2018 respectively.
- Fixing of 4 Convex Mirrors
- Establishment of tailoring unit in June 2018 with 5 machines which provided training for 50 women till date.
- Hand-Embroidery Course – CEVA in collaboration with Women’s Polytechnic Kalamasserry facilitated 3 months course for 25 young women.
- Training for Motor driving – 22 women including both 2 wheeler and 4 wheelers vehicles.
- Contribution to the local resource centers – the project contributed of 25 chairs each for 4 Anganwadies in the project area.
Tuition classes for children studying in class 5th to 9th
EMPOWERMENT BASED CHILD RIGHTS PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (CRiPSE) at Idukki District.
The Programme was initiated for the children in Idukki district funded by Kindermissionswerk, Germany. The Empowerment Based Child Rights Programme for Children and their Social Environment (termed as CRiPSE) took off in the month of May 2015. It was implemented in 22 schools functioning under Corporate Educational Agency of Idukki Diocese. The major constituents of the project are Counselling, Change Agent Team (CAT) and Formation of Child Protection Policy. CRiPSE is structured on a four- point programme, namely:
- Empowerment of children for attainment of their rights.
- Enhancing the skill of teachers for better Educational environment.
- Train parents towards better parenting skills.
- Mobilize society for protection of children.
Counselling services were provided 6567 students during the 2017-2018 phase. 2782 problematic cases were identified and expert services were provided for them. The major problems identified are relational problems, addictions, personal & family problems, psychological problems, substance abuse, social problems and educational problems.
CAT (Change Agent Team) groups were formed in 20 schools and 2 schools formed it voluntarily wherein 1100 students were there as CAT Members. The main objective of the training was to equip the CAT members to initiate different innovative programs like Life Skills, Personality Development, and Child Protection etc. The children also initiated many innovative programs like, clean campus program, organic farming programs, income generation activities for helping the poor and needy, anti-drug campaigns etc.
Organ Donation Campaign Among Youth (OCAY)
The project initiated to create awareness on Organ Donation among 10,000 youth in Ernakulam was supported by K Chittilappilly Foundation. The project was inaugurated on Organ Donation Day (August 6, 2014). CEVA conducted Awareness Generation Programme (AGP) on Organ Donation in different colleges in and around Ernakulam. The Campaign included Exhibition, Input Sessions, Video clippings, Signature Campaign, Distribution of IEC materials, signing the consent forms etc. Signature Campaign – “I Care to Share, I will be an Organ Donor” was signed by the participants to express their support for this noble venture.
Street Play on Organ Donation was performed by MSW students of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Thuravoor Regional Centre in Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Stand, Ernakulam Junction Railway Station and Marine Drive. OCAY was concluded on March 27, 2015 by handing over the Organ Donation Consent forms of 225 CMI priests and 400 Youth.
ALBOH – A Model for Children’s Home.
The Quality Enhancement Programme for the 27 inmates of the Alphonsa Boys Home at Karrikkamuri was initiated under the auspices of CEVA in 2014 with the vision of a centre of mutual support, love and care aimed at the holistic development of children through strategic interventions. This venture has rose to the level of a model programme for quality enhancement of child-care institutions, orphanages and children’s home.
The project was supported by Muthoot Foundation for a period of 2 years. We ensure the growth of children in the six major spheres of development viz. social, emotional, physical, educational, economic, and spiritual. Each child is given individual attention and care, provided motivation to bring the best out of them. Creative elements and innovative methods are use to inspire and motivate the children towards a better and positive attitude in life. The activities include Vision creation meeting, (individual) child monitoring, counselling, outings, celebrations, personality development classes, life skill trainings, career guidance, monitoring & evaluation, medical check-ups, orientation to care takers etc. The active involvement of the children, their parents, care-takers and management are ensured to provide the best possible growth facility for the children. All government requirements, rules and regulations were strictly followed as an attempt to be a model centre for child care and upbringing.
DISHAA – A Joint Venture of Congregations of Kerala for Child Protection
DISHAA is a Silver Jubilee initiative of CEVA in the 2012-’13. Kerala has approximately 372 catholic congregations and around 50,000 religions and routing all their energies against child abuse would definitely bring about a remarkable change in the society. DISHAA – A joint venture of Congregations in Kerala to ensure Child Protection mainly focuses on bringing about a positive change in the social scenario, in which each child is given a safe and protected environment to grow into responsible individuals and better citizens. The initiative covered a good number of Children and their social environment across Kerala.
Strengthening of Rural Poor through Formation of Self-Help Group & Literacy Project
The Italian Bishops Conference project for “Strengthening of Rural Poor through Formation of Self- Help Group & Literacy” had its successful completion during the year 2010. Two major activities of the project were Formation of Self-Help Groups and Literacy Programmes. The main objective of the project is to provide support for the socio-economic empowerment of poor rural women by organizing Self-Help Groups and Literacy Programmes under 14 centers of the CMI Congregation.
Literacy Project – CEVA initiated Literacy project for the empowerment of the illiterate rural people of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra. The project was supported by the Italian Bishops Conference of Germany.
Relief and Rehabilitation Programmes of CEVA
CEVA always responds to the unexpected natural disasters such as Cyclones, Earthquake, Floods and Tsunami in the past years. As a response to the Killer Cyclone in Orissa (1999), CEVA team visited the worst affected villages. CEVA raises funds with the support of national, international and local donors and channelized this amount to the victims through the support of local NGOs. CEVA assisted about 2550 individuals with clothing, food, medicines and school uniforms. 45 Families were organized into Self Help Groups and were supported with income generation programs as per the need, interest and competence of the beneficiaries. CEVA in collaboration with the General Social Apostolate of CMI raised funds from institutions, well-wishers and public from India and Abroad to support the victims of Tsunami Tragedy that occurred on 26th December 2004. An amount of INR 4,400,000/- was collected and used for the rehabilitation of the victims in Kanyakumari District, Alappuzha District and Ernakulam District. The project coordinated by CEVA was implemented by our three partner organizations.
Kavach – TCI HIV Project
The Project Kavach is being implemented with the support of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through Transport Corporation of India. The five year project commenced in 2005 was successfully completed in 2010. It focuses on both preventive and curative aspects of HIV/AIDS. The preventive aspect includes mid –media which consists of exhibition, health games, street play, film shows, interactions of trained drivers, ex-drivers, helpers in the form of group sessions with target community and mega events like truckers utsav. CEVA has been rewarded with Gold Rank for the implementation of this project by TCI Foundation.
ASWAS (Association of Single Women for Action and Self Help)
CEVA facilitated the formation of a support group for single women (widow, divorcees and unmarried women), arranged for financial support and training for the women. In 2000, ASWAS was registered as a society. Now, ASWAS is functioning as an independent entity having its own activities and programmes for the support of single women in Kerala.
Gift A Cycle Project
Another initiative of CEVA in the jubilee year was ensuring education by providing bicycles to children in remote areas. Often it is said that “He who opens a school door closes a prison”. Our experience in working among children in rural areas of our country brought to light the fact that reasons for dropouts and absenteeism in educational institutions was that schools were often located far away. Moreover unavailability of bus services, even if available the unreliability of it, travel expenses being unaffordable to many etc caused children to be disinterested in pursuing their studies. With this gift of cycle we were able to provide them with not only a mode of transportation or a travel aid, but made them proud owners of a bicycle at a very young age, which motivated and encouraged them to do well in their studies and perform better. It also helped in building their confidence, strengthen their personality and aid in Life-Skills development like decision making capabilities and sense of direction.
Gyan Jyoti Literacy programme
The Gyan Jyoti Literacy Programme launched in 1987 reached out to illiterate children, school drop-outs, illiterate men and women through informal learning centres. The project assisted several agencies in setting up and running literacy centres. A total of 25,000 individuals were helped through 1064 literacy centres spread in 8 Indian states namely Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. With this project (completed in 2001), most of the beneficiaries became functional literate and some of the dropouts reentered into the regular school system. Gyan Jyoti also helped the women to start credit unions and it increased the participation of women in community development and Panchayati Raj.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
The National Child labour Project has been implemented by CEVA NRO since 2005 with the support of the Ministry of labour through District Labour Department as well as with the support of Father Agnel School. The goal of the project is to reduce the Child Labour problem in Ghaziabad through alternative education.
Include about Northern Regional Office, Delhi