Social Action Ministry
(TSSS Parish Unit)
Activities of Vettucuad Parish Social Service Society working under the Trivandrum Social Service Society.
All those who come to Vettucaud Pilgrim Centre suffering from different diseases are given help, according to the decision of the Parish Council, without any discrimination of caste and creed. For the marriage of poor girls help is provided. With the Corporation of the Trivandrum Corporation assistance is given to build houses.
S.H.G women’s self help group. In the Vettucaud Parish there are 20 groups. They meet in the evening of Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. During the meeting they take part in: Prayer, welcoming the participants, readings of report, taking attendance and presenting the accounts. They also discuss reports in the newspaper and other media, education, etc.
Each group deposits Rs 25/- or 50/- in the Syndicate or SBT Bank and from these deposits loans are made available to the members.
Besides, the members take loans to do business eg. Making and selling pickles, soap, surf, lotion, rosary, clothes, vegetables, rice, bakery items, wine, fish, dry fish etc.
They also engage themselves in charitable activities. Visiting the sick in the hospitals and praying for them, visiting houses, visiting berieved families, taking part in burials, helping the poor families etc.
Those couples who have completed 25, 50 years of marriage life are honoured, cultural and sports competitions are conducted and prizes are distributed. Onam, X’mass are celebrated together.
Anniversaries of groups are celebrated with participation of special guests.
Women Fish Vendors’ Group
In Trivandrum Archdiocese women Fish Vendors’ Development Society’ was formed in 1998 as part of the TSSS Society. Accordingly in Vettucaud Parish a group of 150 women fish vendors was started. The aim of the group is the total development of the fish vendors’ and their families. Through awareness classes they have improved their style of speaking, behaviour and dressing at home and the markets. So also they are made to understand the importance of education and as a result they have become aware of the need of giving higher education to their children. In addition to these they are given instructions on family, job-related illnesses, cancer, mental tension, illnesses of rainy season, family budget, kitchen garden, aids, misuse of drugs, panchewing, alcohol, etc. Out of the 150 members 40 members are given loans for fish vending. Each member gets Rs 5000/- As the loan is paid back others will be given loans.
Trivandrum Fishermen’s Forum
Report of the Vettucaud unit
A meeting of the Trivandrum Fishermen’s Forum was organized in the parish council Hall, Vettucaud, on 13th June 2009. It was presided over by Rev.Fr. Gladin Alex. Animators from the Archdiocese also took part. About 125 fishermen participated. Rev. Fr. Gladin Alex explained in detail the aims and purposes of the forum. 7 executive members were elected from the participants.
1. It was decided to give membership of the Trivandrum Fishermen’s Forum.
2. It was decided to collect Rs 10/- each as membership fee.
3. A meeting of the executive body is to the convened every month.
In 15 days’ time 181 members were enrolled. The membership fees were collected from these and the amount was handed over to the diocese and identity cards were distributed. The amount given by the diocese was deposited as joint account in the Vettucaud Branch of the Syndicate Bank. According to the directive diocese a general body meeting was convened on 21.02.2011 and new office bearers ware elected for the period of 2011-2013.
2. It was agreed that the executive members should take interest in obtaining loans or grants that many be available from the diocese for the progress of the fishermen.
3. It was agreed that new members may the given membership.
4. 2 groups of 10 members each have applied for loan.
The diocese promised to give Rs 10,00/- for buying one Kattamaram . As there was no application from eligible members the amount was not collected.
