Social Interventions and Advancement
The province’s option for the rural poor has become visible in the many initiatives of the province. In the parish sector it has had its large impact too. We have concentrated on creating opportunities for education for all, non-formal formal technical training, job placement services, self help groups for women, income-generating programs, networking with local governmental and non-governmental organizations. Of the five centers of Vazhikaati services in the province two (Tirunelveli and Tuticorin) are run by Salesians in the Parish Sector. In particular government welfare programs for the minorities especially for their education are availed by the parishioners through the motivation and intervention of the Salesians. Self help groups have availed government loans with subsidies. In the area of income generation many new areas of production and marketing have been successfully tried. Capacities in handling social issues, the empowerment of rural youth and rural women have been enhanced. In the past three years, these above efforts have taken deep roots.
Currently once again as in the area of evangelization and catechesis, the focus has been on federating the various youth and women groups and sensitizing them on human rights issues and social action methods. Parishioners have repeatedly handled tough issues such as high handedness of government officials, insensitive decisions of the government departments, and in organizing people at large on social concerns be them related to children, women or the general public. These groups have created a great social awareness on issues of total literacy, school drop outs, child labors and gender issues. We are also organizing the working population in the unorganized sector and sensitizing them on availing services of the government social security schemes for them. In this we work hand in hand with the Labor Commission of the Diocese.
The coming three years will consolidate these efforts. There will also be a special human rights perspective introduced in all levels. Networking with Governmental Organization and Non-Governmental Organization’s availing government welfare programs and an enhanced awareness on social responsibilities will mark the next three years.
