ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than this.
(Mark 12:31)
Marthoma Charitable Society works to strengthen and empower the under privileged in our Society. The society focuses on basic human needs,ie.-food, clothing, shelter ,health and education - of a few hundred people in and around Kallukuttai, one of the largest slum areas in Chennai. The Society also provides resources that strengthen families during times of crises and supports the physically and emotionally challenged.
“We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.”
This is the philosophy of the members of the Marthoma Charitable Society. The heart guides the mind when we come upon children who yearn to study, but are without books; who yearn to be healthy but are without nutritious food; who yearn to lead a healthy life but are without a proper shelter.
Marthoma Charitable Society was formed to serve the community who are living in Kallukuttai and surrounding areas. Society targeted Kallukuttai slum area because people here are living with poor sanitation, ill health, inadequate educational facilities, water logged houses during rainy season, malnutrition and poorly laid roads etc. A large number of people living here have migrated from other parts ofTamil Nadu. People from Southern and Northern states are also living here.
Ever since our society was formed, we have been serving for the welfare of children from this area through education &health.
“SPARSHANAM” (The Touch)
EDUCATION
The “Sparshanam” project launched in this current year has provided great help to 170 chlidren in Kallukuttai. Many of the children in this area start life with the very least; living in desperate poverty and hardship. In many cases, without parents to look after them they are extremely vulnerable. The society has financially supported 170 students of different classes in 2014 and they are now living as safe, secure families. All their educational needs, like school fees, stitched uniforms, stationeries, chappals were met by our society. To improve their educational standards we are taking free tuition for them with teachers who have much interest and dedication. Much care is taken to emphasize moral standards & discipline. Our students come in the morning and evening. We give importance to discipline because good character moulds them into better citizens.
INCREASE IN STUDENT STRENGTH
In 2014 our society decided to sponsor 100 more students. So we conducted interviews on 2 nd & 3 rd of August 2014 at St Antony’s School, Velachery.
Our church volunteers actively participated in interviewing and selecting the 100 children from among the 500 children recommended by St. Antony’s School.
Parents & students attended the interview with eagerness. The interviewers selected the right students after scrutinizing their interest in studies, aptitude, economic position etc.
Following this, our members visited each and every student who participated in the Interview and based on their suggestion selection list has been finalized. Four teachers were also recruited.
From 10 th November 2014, we started tuitions in our church for these 100 students with 4 teachers; 50 students in STD I & 50 students in STD II.
NUTRITIONAL MEAL SCHEME
All the students are provided good, nutritious, free meals in the evenings through contributions from donors. We take care to see that the food provided is hygienic.
HEALTH CARE, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & RECREATION
We conducted the following activities to improve students’ health, skills development and recreation.
Health care
We organized a special Medical camp for our students on 21.02.2015 in our church. A service minded, dedicated medical team came to our church for this purpose.
We prepared separate Medical Records for all our 170 students.
Apart from general medical checkup, blood samples were taken by the team to know their blood group, Hb level, nutritional deficiencies etc.After the blood test, the students were asked to meet the Doctors with their parents for medical advice. Free medicines were given.
Dr. Abraham Joseph, Dr. Benny Benjamin, Dr. Lydia James & Dr. Lina James participated in this dedicated service & gave valuable counseling to our students & parents. Mrs. Sheela Regi, Mrs. Annamma Chacko and Mr. George Joseph also actively participated for the success of this
programme.
Alcoholism Awareness Scheme
Awareness about the hazards of alcohol in family economy & welfare were projected. Many chronic alcoholics were taken to TTK Hospital & provided counselling. Many chronic addicts were totally cured. Patients named Pandurangan and Thanigaimalai are testimonies to this noble effort. They received awards from the hospital authorities.
Physical Development – Sports Competitions
On 28 th February 2015 we organized sports competitions for our students We conducted running races, potato gathering, lemon & spoon race, bursting of balloons, chess, caroms & rangoli in our church. Students actively participated in all the competitions. Parents also came in large numbers to encourage their children.
Arts Competitions
In March 2015 we conducted Arts competitions for our students in singing, drawing, painting, storytelling, Elocution & dances. Students participated with great enthusiasm. Prizes will be given to the winners.
Picnic To Kishkinta
On 26 th January 2015 we arranged an excursion to Kishkinta for our students. We took the students and their teachers in two buses. We started from church at 9 am with a prayer. Students enjoyed the artificial Tsunami waves, 3D and 5D scenes at theTheatre, water games & merry go rounds.
It was a feast to their eyes & heart. Delicious food was served. We returned back safely to the church at 6pm.
Good Samaritan Day
We celebrated Good Samaritan day on 9 th November 2014 in our church. Dr. Jeyakumar Sebastian who is the National Director of World Vision, India was the chief guest on that day. In this celebration, our students exhibited their skills & talents through singing of songs, individual & group dances, skits etc.
The chief guest, in his message pointed out the importance of good upbringing of their children by the parents & also stressed the responsibility of the students in honoring & respecting their father & mother in their old age, in whatever position the students hold after the education.
Students who got 1 st rank in their respective classes received prizes from the Chief Guest. Delicious briyani was served to all the students & their family members. The programs ended happily.
PARENTS MEETING
We conduct parents’ meetings regularly. Through this parents come to know about their children’s educational progress & the parent’s responsibility in improving their children’s skills. Through these meetings we are able to see the attitude change in the parents also.
MEDICAL CLINIC
Every Wednesday Medical Clinic is conducted at the registered office. This clinic primarily aims at providing free medical consultation and medicines to the patients who come to our clinic. Every Wednesday, 30 patients receive timely help. As in the previous years, this year also patients with critical illness were provided with medical assistance and support.
I would like to place on record our deep gratitude to Dr. Abraham Joseph for his guidance and support. I also thank Mrs. Achamma Thomas, Mr. George Joseph and all charitable clinic volunteers for their service.
CONCLUSION
On behalf of our charitable society, I would like to express my gratitude to Rev. Gigy Thomas, committee members, volunteers and all well wishers for their guidance, financial support, and cooperation. I would also like to thank our Social Organizer Mr. Samuel Gunasekharan,and his wife V. Elizabeth Rani for their dedicated service.
There will be many more Kallukuttais in our path of charity. We will give as much as we can, and keep only what we require for our daily needs.
This Society should etch it’s name in the hearts of our people and many years later, people should say, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time back”.
Mr. Gigi George
Secretary