Annual Report 2008-2009
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Govt. of Canada, to this Annual Report. www.acdicida.gc.ca
Printed & Published by: Director, Save A Family Plan India, Aiswaryagram, Parappuram P.O., Kanjoor Via, Ernakulam District, Kerala State, India – 683 593 Phone: 0484-2462130, 2462230, 2466324 & 3943325 E-mail: augustineb@safp.org safpi@safp.org Editorial Team: Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara and Mr. Jacob. P.O
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DIRECTOR’S DESK I am indeed privileged to present the annual report of Save A Family Plan activities for the year 2008-2009. Relying on the strength and grace of God SAFP moved ahead with a large number of activities in the two dimensions of family development program and community development program. Social work involves the application of social theory and research methods to study and improve the lives of individuals, families, groups and society at large. SAFP is committed to the pursuit of social justice, to the enhancement of quality of life and to the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community. All activities are focused to address and resolve social issues, enhance the economic status and promote integrated development. Great thrust is given to inculcating and spreading the concepts of gender mainstreaming, environment protection and good governance. The directors and staff of all partner NGOs have contributed committed work so as to implement all the SAFP related activities successfully. Decentralized and democratic practices will facilitate sustainable development. SAFP has been following this strategy and maximum creating a space for interaction and learning. The SPED II program was completed as per the time line provided in the year 2008-2009. All partner NGOs cooperated well with the guidelines given from SAFPI. The one day training program on gender mainstreaming to the priests and religious of the catholic dioceses of Kerala is something unique, facilitated by SAFP and implemented by the partner NGOs. This will certainly enable the concept to be reached to many people in the society which will gradually lead to the establishment of gender mainstreaming. SAFP Canada and CIDA have really appreciated this activity. Through the Regular Beneficiary Program families are economically supported and the close monitoring from the partner NGOs provides moral support and motivation to the family members to improve their integrated status in the society. New perspectives and better strategies should be evolved to bring in a value based and cost effective development It is also the time for all of us to gratefully remember the large number of benefactors and CIDA who financially support all our activities. This is also occasion to appreciate and congratulate all related with SAFP. I wish all, great success in the future endeavors and God’s blessing for the same.
Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara OUR FOUNDER Save A Family Plan, was the dream of Father Augustine Kandathil. He was born on 5th May 1920 at Vaikom, Kerala, India. He loved to be called as Fr. Gus. In 1965, having heard Pope Paul VI’s challenge, during his visit to India, to help improve the lives of the poor, Father Gus started Save A Family Plan (SAFP) as a means of establishing partnerships between poor families in India and families in North America. Father Gus was a valued and much-loved person wherever he lived. He was a man who not only talked about the poor, but who lived very simple life himself. His example of simplicity of life, prayerfulness and genuine care for everyone was a great blessing to all who experienced him. Father Gus retired from active direction of SAFP in India in 1999 but remained the guiding spirit until his death on July 18, 2001. In his personal life he had always identified with the poor to whom he was so devoted. When he died he literally possessed nothing.
SAVE A FAMILY PLAN The Organization Save A Family Plan (SAFP) was founded by Msgr. Augustine Kandathil 45 years ago. Rising high from its humble origin, today it has become a well known International Development NGO extending financial and technical support to 82 Partner NGOs in India particularly in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh, MadhyaPradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarath, Chattisgarh and Orissa. A large number of rehabilitation activities, intervention in areas affected by natural calamities and special projects are also undertaken. There are more than 53000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) called sanghams all directly coming under the mantle of these partner NGOs. Glancing back at its history, we can see the steady growth that the organization has been making in the field of people’s growth and development. SAFP is facilitating the empowerment and development of the poor regardless religion, caste, colour, creed or political affiliation. The self-reliance and sustainability are focused in the intervening communities and families. Towards this purpose Family development programs and community development programs are being implemented. The identity of SAFP is carved on contributing maximum possible in establishing a just world for the poor.
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 2008-2009
Family Development Program is the pioneer and core program of Save A Family Plan. One family or individual or group from North America or Europe supports a selected
poor family in India for a period of six years on a monthly basis @ 20 Canadian Dollars for self-reliance of the family.
Present support: 13914 families in 43 Diocesan Social Service Societies : 22 homes of healing for living expenses, medical care or educational Costs etc. States covered : Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Aim : Promote value system in the society through give and take relationship Transparency : Exact dollar exchange value of 20 Canadian Dollars to the partner family Total Amount Total families Receive Support Total NGOs
: Rs. 130927980 (Canadian:$ 3224322.51) : 13914 : 43
How It Helps The Poor Families? Improve their living standard Augment present income for an immediate improvement in their standard of living Provide leverages to mobilize social and community support services for family based developmental projects. Reduce their indebtedness Reduce the burden on single parents such as widows and widowers as well as abandoned women Reduce the burden of families having vulnerably diseased, aged, mentally and physically challenged members Activities and Process Initiated: Facilitating family based empowerment plan formulation at respective families Family visits and interaction with family members Capacity building of families for promoting livelihood initiatives Training to families on gender and environment Ongoing animation and support services to families by DSSS staff, sponsors and volunteers Periodical communication between partner families and their respective benefactors in abroad
Reporting and reviewing at many levels National meet of DSSS coordinators at SAFP India Success story documentation Field monitoring
Results Achieved: 16535 families underwent capacity building and empowerment process 2345 local sponsors trained on how the program managed 7027families started different livelihood initiatives and improve their income 629 families constructed new house or purchased as their own 828 families repaired their existing houses 216 sanitary latrine constructed 118 families purchased small peace of land 22 Rain water harvesting tank constructed 73 families installed energy conservation systems in their houses 894 families cleared their debts 254 young women got married. 14444 members got medical treatment A good number of children got better education in their life
Mobilized the voluntary services of 1897 priests, 1031 religious sisters and 1294 lay people. Mobilized Rs.7657450/- as bank loan Tapped Government subsidies Rs.6331500/ Rs.18754540/- mobilized as loan from different SHGs Mobilized Rs.2452300/- from other agencies. Computer software training given. Supplied RB handbook for all the beneficiary families in their own language Improved self esteem and responsibility among family members Improved status of women members in family and community Increased participation of families in community based organizations – SHGs
New Learning: • • •
• •
Gatherings and trainings build good rapport between beneficiaries, field staff and central staff, which is more essential for the success of the program Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) Training has made most of the beneficiaries better equipped to start self employment schemes without facing the tragedy of untimely closure Participatory selection of the beneficiaries by the sangham promoted transparency and accountability among sangham members. Community participation, decentralization, planning with partners at all levels builds self confidence, selfesteem and social integration Continuous training, monitoring, periodical evaluation and scientific marketing are very essential for the income generation program of the beneficiaries. RB beneficiaries need special attention and care in order to come up in life; as they are from socio-economically backward strata, they need our emotional support; they look to DSSS staff for proper guidance and to share their multiple problems.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM For the last 30 years SAFP in partner ship with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has been implementing community development activities through various partner NGOs in India. SPED II (Sustainability through participation empowerment and decentralization) is completed in the year 2008-2009. SPED II program is completed and the objectives of ensuring efficient management of natural
resources, increased educational status, improved health and economic conditions are achieved. As part of sustainable development the village-committees formed during the implementation of the project are promoted by the partner NGOs to continue to mobilize resources and continue the community development activities. The project was implemented in 101 villages spread in the 9 states of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgrah, Gujarat, Karanataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu
INTEGRATED WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT The implementation of the watershed program enabled the increase in the water table of the villages, soil conservation improvement, improved availability of safe drinking water, improved economic, social, cultural and infrastructure development. In short the program resulted in integrated development of the selected villages. The improved participation of the people at all levels of planning, implementation and monitoring is the highlight of the program. The details of the watershed program implemented in the reporting year are as follows: Total No. of NGOs Total No. of states Total No. of Civil Districts Total No. of Direct Beneficiaries Total No. of Indirect Beneficiaries Grant Total of Beneficiaries
: 32 :3 : 18 : 11676 : 61959 : 73635
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy given from SAFP Grant Total used for sector
: Rs. 9004023 : Rs. 6446800 : Rs. 15450823
The major activities and results Biogas plant Renovation of houses Wells recharged / renovated Ponds digging/ recharged/ desilting Construction of sanitary latrines Formation of farmers’ club/Nature club Capacity building training Income generation programs Vegetative coverage Construction of rain water harvesting tanks 20249m of stone bunds/soil bunds constructed
: 38 – 14m, 24f : 80 – 24m, 56f : 303 – 97m, 126f : 879 – 438m, 441f : 130 – 27m, 103f : 176 – 102m, 74f : 321 – 104m, 217f : 364 – 60m, 304f : 445 – 165m, 280f : 49 – 17m, 32f : 373 – 246m, 127f
Training on NRM/PLA Cleaning/backwashing of wells Dolomite/ promotion of lime 10 group farms Herbal garden/ medicinal plant nursery 11069 percolation / water collection pits 11454 planting of trees 6615 planting of fodder seedling Vegetable gardens/ kitchen gardens Distribution of Trichoderma Vegetable fencing Vermin compost tanks 3 Bio villages/Green plot Bimonthly monitoring and evaluation Promotion of azola Promotion of smokeless choolas
: 1534 – 307m, 1227f : 255 – 55m, 200f : 55 – 1m, 54f : 46 – 5m, 41f : 10 – 7m, 3f : 300 – 110m, 190f : 1686 – 515m, 1171f : 137 – 47m, 90f : 1269 – 510m, 759f : 150 – 86m, 64f : 49 – 22m, 27f : 64 – 19m, 45f : 128 – 8m, 120f : 516 – 51m, 465f : 221 – 79m, 142f : 5 – 5f
Lessons Learned To understand the approach, attitude and behavior of the community and various groups and parties was a challenge. Biological intervention through various activities will protect the soil and increase the quantity of ground and surface water Formation and strengthening of SHGs are very much supporting for initiating the activities
Water conservation – Mananthavady
PROMOTING BASIC AND PRIMARY EDUCATION The basic and primary education activities were implemented successfully in the reporting period. A large number of children were motivated and provided with special tuition program which really improved their quality of education and this was certified by the headmasters of the schools. The special awareness on many aspects related to life along with the tuition program did make various changes in the personality development. The villagers are so impressed that to continue the program they have decided to mobilize local resources. The skill training program enabled many youth to find self employment or employment. The other programs also contributed to the improvement of the knowledge of the villagers in general.
Total No. of NGOs Total No. of villages Total No. of Direct Beneficiaries Total No. of Indirect Beneficiaries Grant Total of Beneficiaries
: 19 : 57 : 8080 : 26897 : 34977
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant total used for activities
: Rs.1044306 : Rs.2884400 : Rs.3928706
THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS Special tuition to children Parallel Education Adult literacy/ basic education Career guidance and counseling
: 2327 – 1097m, 1230f : 457 – 240m, 217f : 1248 – 445m, 803f : 885 – 406m, 479f
Vocational training to school dropouts Awareness training to parents Joyful teaching Special scholarship for students Educational materials Parent teacher associations
: 1108 – 242m, 866f : 634 – 256m, 378f : 169 – 86m, 83f : 35 – 16m, 19f : 258 – 90m, 168f : 121 – 29m, 92f
Lessons Learned The community leaders and elected representatives are stressing the need for providing education at various levels to improve the quality of education The NGOs should not initiate the activities being run by government, but play the support role and should not replicate the same as what government is doing. They also can play the catalyst role in order to get more benefits from government welfare schemes.
Balasore – Adult Education
IMPROVING THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITIES To improve the health status of the villagers, activities were organized systematically in the selected villages. For every 3 villages a health coordinator was appointed. Through a large number of awareness programs knowledge was imparted to the people which motivated the people to take better care of health, keep the environment and surroundings clean, for consumption of nutritious food and to utilize the services of hospitals. The service to the pregnant and lactating mothers and children was quite valued by the villagers as the care taken by women before the partner NGO intervention was negligent.
Total No. of NGOs Total No. of Villages Total No. of Direct Beneficiaries Total No. of Indirect Beneficiaries Grant Total of Beneficiaries
: 22 : 66 : 44948 : 119859 : 164807
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant Total used for activities
: Rs.715486 : Rs. 2535500 : Rs. 3250986
The major activities and results Supply of nutrients and medicines HIV/AIDS awareness programs Nutrients to 841 pregnant mothers And children below 6 years 6 Herbal Medicinal Gardens 59 Medical camps Health card & Immunization and 10 trainings on Nutritious diet Ongoing health status verification Capacity building of Health workers Social Marketing of mosquito net 200 Health awareness programs
: 2552 – 688m, 1864f : 4118 – 1019m, 3099f : 841 – 272m, 569f : 55 – 20m, 35f : 7739 – 3192m, 4547f : 306 – 306f : 4898 – 2272m, 2626f : 40 – 40f : 942 – 469m, 473f : 23082 – 5867m, 17215f
Lesson Learned People can be motivated to take up by themselves ventures related to community health development.
Medical camp – Balasore
Nutrient supply – Madras DSSS
GENDER MAINSTREAMING Unique initiatives were taken by SAFP in the area of gender mainstreaming. The training on gender mainstreaming to the catholic priests and catholic religious sisters of the dioceses in Kerala had excellent participation and response. The CBO level trainings on gender are bringing changes in the roles in families. The livelihood initiatives for women are enabling economic freedom and decision making capacity of women. The follow up training organized for the active members of the gender resource team in partner NGOs was really useful for the participants as the program equipped them with updated knowledge and materials for providing trainings at the grass root level.
The Major Activities and Results
A. Trainings Gender Mainstreaming to the Priests Total Participants Total No. of NGOs
: 2624 Catholic priests : 26
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant Total used for activities
: Rs.89524 : Rs.358096 : Rs.447620
Gender Mainstreaming to the religious sisters Total participants Total No. of NGOs
: 4562catholic sisters : 24
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant Total used for activities
: Rs.127300 : Rs.509200 : Rs.636500
Gender mainstreaming at CBO level Training at the Community level : 731trainings Training on Gender Mainstreaming to the selected members: 70622 – 10721m, 59901f Awareness is imparted to Partner NGOs : 50NGOs B. Gender mainstreaming through promotion of sustainable livelihood initiatives IGP for unmarried elderly women Total No. of NGOs Total No. of Direct Beneficiaries Total No. of Indirect Beneficiaries Grant total of Beneficiaries
: 18 : 440 : 1168 : 1608
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant Total used for activities
: Rs. 1906375 : Rs. 1855000 : Rs. 3761375
Micro enterprises for Abandoned and unwed mothers
IGP for Abandoned and unwed mothers Total No. of NGOs Total No. of Direct Beneficiaries
: 794 : 23 : 794
Total No. of Indirect Beneficiaries Grant total of Beneficiaries
: 2305 : 3099
Local Fund Mobilized Subsidy from SAFP Grant Total used for activities
: Rs. 3012900 : Rs. 3287000 : Rs. 6299900
C. Follow up training on gender to resource team members Number of partner NGOs Training and updated knowledge and materials to resource team members
: 16 : 121 – 21m, 100f
Lessons Learned Being home makers there is non-availability of enough time to spare is a constraint To ensure the participation of men is difficult
Training on gender mainstreaming- Kanjirappilly
ENVIRONMENT CONSCIOUSNESS BUILDING The trainings on environment consciousness building for the grass root level organizations were conducted successfully. People are giving prominence to the protection and nurture of nature. People have begun to understand in depth the need to
control the use of plastic. People are willing even to organize social actions to prevent any harm to the stability of environment which implies the result of the vast number of trainings provided on environment. CBO level trainings Beneficiaries imparted with knowledge on environment
: 704trainings : 68819 – 12023m, 56796f
Lessons Learned ďƒ˜ People are moved to social actions for the protection of the environment
Removal of plastic from the village -Mananthavady DSSS
CAPACITY BUILDING AND GOOD GOVERNANCE Program coordinators at NGOs
The annual planning along with the representatives from the villages designs the one year activities for development in each partner NGO. The baseline data provided a comparative study to get the improvement in the intervention area. The new Family development partner beneficiaries were enabled and motivated to begin income generation units. Annual planning program organized in 50NGOs at village level
: 2152 – 681m, 1471f
EDP training to FDP families
: 2359 – 601m, 1758f
Collected and consolidated the baseline data of 98 villages Increased knowledge at all levels of program management And monitoring in 98 villages
Lessons Learned Capacity building processes should be a continuous and updated in the grass roots of society The underprivileged and the marginalized should be focused and the processes should be designed to make maximum results :
VISIT FROM CANADA TO SAFPI, PARTNER NGOS AND PARTNER FAMILIES Ms. Emily Trudel
: 2nd May 2008 to 29th May 2008.
Ms. Lois Cote- President SAFPC and Ms. Lesley PorterExecutive Director, SAFPC
: 9th January 2009 to 1st March2009
Benefactor- Mr. Lorrie Walker and family
: 16th January 2009
Benefactors - Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Johanha Mirten
: 20th January 2009
Fr. Richard Saldhana and 19 member Canadian team
: 23rd January 2009 to 27th January 2009
MONITORING VISIT Monitoring visits to: Hyderabad DSSS, Prem Nivas in Gujarath, Raipur DSSS in Chattisgargh , Jabalpur DSSS in MadhyaPradesh, CAP India, Kothamangalam DSSS, Ooty DSSS, Palakkad DSSS, Idukki DSS, Vijayapuram DSSS Calicut DSSS, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Kanjirappilly, Kannur, Belthangady, Shimoga, Chicmangalore DSSS, Trivandrum Latin and Trivandrum Arch. Internal audit of accounts was done in the partnering NGos of Hyderabad, Thrissur DSSS, Irinjalakuda DSSS, Marthandom DSSS in Tamil Nadu, Kottar DSSS in Tamil Nadu, CAP India Ernakulam, Kothamangalam DSSS, Ooty DSSS, Palakkad DSSS, Kanjirappilly, Kannur, Chcmangalore, Belthangady, Shimoga, Trivandrum Latin and Trivandrum Arch, WIN Society. Visit was done at Dindigul DSSS on 15th and 16th July to have a special meeting with the Director, SAFP staff and RB Beneficiaries. Monitoring visits were done in partner NGOs of Vijayapuram DSSS, Thalassery DSSS, Irinjalakuda DSSS, Thrissur DSSS and Kottapuram DSSS to monitor the training on gender mainstreaming to the priests and religious.
EXTERNAL INTERIM EVALUATION BY CIDA Program: Sustainability through Participation, Empowerment and Decentralization II Program (SPED II) 2006-2009 Supported By: Capacity Development Division of the Voluntary Sector Programmes Directorate of the Partnership Branch of CIDA Evaluation Done by: Ms. Francoise Coupal from Mosaic.net International, Canada Duration: 24th March 2008 to 9th April 2008 Partner NGOs visited: Bathery, Chicmangalore, Indore and Chanda DSSSs and WIN Society Interaction with: Staff, resource team members, village level committees, sangam Members, partner beneficiaries
7TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF SAFP FOUNDER- MSGR. AUGUSTINE KANDATHIL
Date of Commemoration: 19th July 2008 Place: Nadel Church, Vaikom Chief Celebrant of the Holy Mass: Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath Participants: Director and Staff from SAFP, Aiswaryagram, Directors of Partner NGOs Of Kottayam and Bathery, Relatives of Msgr. Augustine Kandathil and Parishioners
10 DAYS INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL TRAINING ATTENDED Participants: Mr. Jacob. P.O and Mrs. Anu Sebastian Date: August 19th 2008 to 28th August 2008 Modules: Community led participatory monitoring and evaluation and Participatory methods and approaches Attitude and Behaviour Changes (By Robert Chambers, London) Place of Training: Kerala Institute for local self Administrations (KILA) Thrissur Organized By: Praxis International Delhi Participants: From15 countries Field Exposure: Organizations in Wayanad District of Kerala
PLANNING FOR THE NEW PROPOSAL FOR CIDA The planning for the new proposal for the period 2009-2014 to be submitted in the month of October began in the month of July. The various views in this regard were discussed in the Board meeting of SAFP India. Different discussions were held with SAFP consultants on participatory approaches, gender, environment etc. The Directors from the partner NGOs were called for planning workshop at Aiswaryagram on 5th August 2008. Mr. M.J. Joseph-SAFP consultant was the resource person for the program. The villages were selected by the partner NGOs and planning workshops were held at the village level. The analytical report and details of the villages were collected and consolidated. The new proposal was reviewed and modified by the Board and staff of SAFP Canada and submitted to CIDA in the month of October 2008.
VISIT TO CANADA
Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath- President SAFP India and Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara-Director SAFPI left for SAFP Canada on 11th September 2008 for various significant discussions regarding SAFP programs and also regarding the new proposal to be submitted to CIDA.
BIMONTHLY REVIEW COORDINATORS
MEETING
FOR
THE
SPED
II
The bimonthly review meeting and presentation of activities were conducted from 6th October to 8th October 2008 for the SPED Coordinators from the NGOs who are implementing the watershed sector. Dr. Sunny George was the main resource person for the meeting. 28 Coordinators participated in the program. Among them 8 were female and 20 were male. For the Coordinators from the NGOs who are implementing the Health and Education sectors the meeting was organized from 8th October to 10th October 2008. 16 coordinators participated in the program. Among them 8 were male and 8 were female The bimonthly meeting for the coordinators from watershed sector was conducted at Aiswaryagram from 6.00p.m on 12th January 2008 to 3.30p.m on 14th January 2009. There were 27 coordinators who participated in the program among them were 20 male and 7 female. The bimonthly meeting for the coordinators from Health and Education sector was conducted at Aiswaryagram from 6.30p.m on 14th January 2008 to 3.30p.m on 16th January 2009. There were 16 coordinators who participated in the program among them were 9 male and 7 female. Along with the input sessions by various resource persons the power point presentation of the activities was done by each of the coordinators.
The bimonthly review meeting was held at Aiswaryagram from 23rd March 2009, 6p.m to 27th March 2009, 9p.m. 41 Coordinators (26male and 15female) participated in the final presentation of SPED II program. Dr. Sunny George was the resource person. Being the end of the SPED II program Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara specially appreciated and congratulated all the coordinators for commitment with which they implemented the program. Gifts were given to all coordinators. A one day picnic was also arranged.
RESIDENTIAL TRAINING FOR SAFP ANIMATORS Date: 12th December to 14th December 2008 Place: Aiswaryagram, Parapuuram Participants from: Ernakulam, Varapuzha, Cochin, Kothamangalam, Irinjalakuda DSSSs, WIN Society and CAP India. Number of Participants: 27 (24 female and 3 male) Subjects: Leadership, communication, Counseling, home management, participatory exercises and analysis and monitoring & evaluation Resource Persons: Mr. Bently Thadikaran, Mr. Joshy Varghese, Mr. Rajeev Ravindra from Rajagiri Outreach, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasssery, Cochin and Mr. Jacob P.O-Program Officer SAFPI
RB COORDINATORS TRAINING Family Development Program coordinators’ meeting and follow up training on the software program was conducted at Aiswaryagram on 9th and 10th March 2009. There were 42 participants-16male and 26female
FOLLOW-UP TRAINING FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE GENDER RESOURCE TEAM 1. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team members of the partner NGOs was held at Calicut diocese animation center from 9th-11th March 2009. The participants were from Calicut, Bathery, Mananthvady, Thalassery and Thamarassery DSSSs. Total participants were 50 - 8male and 42 female. 2. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team was held at Aiswaryagram from 12-14th March 2009. The participants were from Kottayam, Ernakulam, Varapuzha, Muvattupuzha and Alleppey DSSSs. There were 40 participants- 3 male and 37female.
3. Follow up training program for the active members of the gender resource team was held at Trivandrum latin animation center from 16-18th March 2009. The participants were from Punalur, Quilon, Trivandrum Arch, Trivandrum Latin and Neyyattinkara DSSSs. There were 31 participants- 10 male and 21 female
GOVERNANCE TEAM SAFP India is a registered charitable trust in India with a board of six trustees from different streams of development. They are: Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath (President, and the Auxiliary Bishop of ErnakulamAngamaly Archdiocese) Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara Executive Director (priest from Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese) Dr. Mary Joseph (Secretary and Professor in Social Work) M.P. Joseph (Member and Principal, Training College of a Commercial Bank) Dr. A.M. Michael (Member and former Vice Chancellor of Agriculture University) Prof. Ransamma Joseph (Member and professor in Arts)
OPERATIONAL TEAM The operational team consists of 9 full time members including the DirectorFr. Augustine. The staff includes: Jacob. P.O (Program Officer- CDP) Jose Varekulam (Program Support Officer-FDP) K.V. Joy (Program Support Officer- Livelihood Initiatives/Accounts) Mary Shajan(Accounts) Anu Mathew (Program Support Officer)
Beena Joy (Office Assistant-Steno) Usha Johnson (Office Assistant –FDP) Baby M.G (Driver cum handyman)