Activities
- Unique features of Sarwodeep
Sarwodeep oversees trade units both on and off campus, with the goal of uplifting socially disadvantaged populations such as widows, disabled people, and unskilled laborers.
Sarwodeep Children Programme
Currently the organization is involved in activities as program the organization launched a children’s organization in the year 2019. This children’s organization has strength of 122 people. Promotional training is being conducted on the 2nd Saturday of the month for the welfare and education of children and children in poverty. Provision of state welfare assistance for a child without a parent, children of handicapped children, children of spouse abandoned, alternative skills and their apprentices to continue their schooling. From the Maria Province and Sarwodeep Social Work Center and the College Community, the sisters have been providing personal assistance to widows and their children. We help the sisters to pay their scholarships to others who cannot afford tuition. We encouraged them to integrate into the psychological development of children and we are offering life coping skills and financial assistance to school children during holidays, promoting social responsibility and success. The "Pen Kulanthaikalai Kapom, Pen Kulanthaikaluku Karpipom" program, facilitated by the District Child Protection Office, has collaborated with Sarwodeep to provide computer and tailoring training to 36 girls from 5 homes in Theni District.
St. Anne’s Vocational Training Centre
St. Anne’s Vocational Training Centre is taking steps to give various training programs to the young girls and women to make them employable. A few training programmes are also conducted for men. 175 persons with disability and 280 poor students were trained in the skill training programme in 7 trades such as Sewing Machine Operators, Data entry Operator, Simple Chemical and Supervisor Book Binding, etc. Trainees received a stipend of Rs.4, 29,000 from TNSDC and Canara Bank Periyakulam. This unit is continually taking much efforts for various training programme on the need based.
Ever since then skill training courses are being conducted regularly every year in this center and a total of 5044 people acquired skills in tailoring, computer, embroidery, office management, bakery training, printing technology, paper cup making, sanitary napkin making, sarees screen printing, Book binding, and found employment or self-employment opportunities and become financially self-reliant.
St.Anne’s Community College
The St.Anne’s Community College got approval from Tamilnadu Skill Development Corporation, National Institute of Open Schooling and Government job roles accredited in Tailoring Course Sewing Machine Operator, Assistant fashion designer and Domestic Date Entry operator.
Community colleges offer a path for school dropouts to earn diploma certificates recognized by the government. Through these programs, individuals can access welfare schemes and start their own businesses. Progress is evident as dropouts gain self-confidence and enhance their life skills. Women, in particular, can achieve a steady income. Community colleges also provide training for students to become entrepreneurs, supporting their educational and professional growth.
A total of 596 individuals graduated from the community college, 340 secured employment elsewhere, and 122 started their own businesses.
Sustainability for Disability
At Sarwodeep, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities through a range of specialized programs and services. Our initiatives include:
- Anne’s Day Star Special School: Catering to children aged 3 to 5, this school has provided special training to 438 children with mental retardation in 18 different categories, including gross motor skills. We focus on enhancing their daily living skills and vocational abilities, offering training in activities such as rolling sambrani, paper cup making, moss necklace creation, and fancy jewelry.
- Lucy Cracencia Special School and Vocational Training Center: This facility provides comprehensive training in daily living skills, language, writing, art, music, and muscle movement (physiotherapy) to children with special needs, helping them integrate better into daily life.
- Early Intervention Center: Operating in Theni and Periyakulam since 2012, this center has served 65 to 70 children annually under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Program. We have diagnosed 2,734 children with disabilities in Theni district, with 2,083 enrolled in SSA centers, ensuring access to education and support.
- Guidance for Disabled Project: From 2011 to 2013, this initiative helped 405 individuals obtain ID cards, provided care allowances to 378 persons, and ordered care allowances for 156 individuals with disabilities. Since 2013, through the Vazhikattium Thittam, 1,961 individuals with disabilities have benefited from our Community-Based Program.
- Employment and Training: We offer employment opportunities and training for individuals with disabilities in various sectors, including STAR SHG, Sarwodeep Social Work Center, Healthy Napkin Unit, Star Garments, Paper Recycling Unit, and Akil SHG. We also provide essential equipment such as wheelchairs, walking sticks, scooters, tricycles, and calipers, having trained and employed 105 individuals in sewing from 2017 to 2021.
- Government Support: Sarwodeep has facilitated significant government support for disabled individuals, including the provision of 256 supportive instruments, 62 safeguard certificates, and 182 free bus passes. We have also distributed 1,519 Nalavariyam certificates for future welfare and provided 17 free mobiles and 15 motor vehicles to disabled persons.
- Nodal Agency for Employment of Persons with Disabilities : Sarwodeep Social Work Centre, located in Theni District, has been officially designated as the Nodal Agency for Employment of Persons with Disabilities. This recognition has been granted by the Tamil Nadu Department of Persons with Disabilities, underscoring our commitment to facilitating employment opportunities and supporting individuals with disabilities in the region.
Our commitment to supporting differently-abled individuals includes continuous training for job opportunities and comprehensive welfare programs to enhance their quality of life.
Self Help Groups (SHG)
Sarwodeep formed more than 100 Self Help Groups. The following self-help groups are now doing professional activities.
- Vensi SHG
- Healthy Napkin SHG
- STAR SHG
- Jeromiah SHG
- Eluchi SHG – T.Kallipatty
- Potters (Men) SHG – T.Kallipatty
- Potters (Women) SHG – Pullakapatty
- Potters (Men) SHG – Pullakapatty
Legal Awareness
The affected women at various stages, the transgender people filed their claims directly. The free legal work group received advice and assistance for free. The people of the Confederacy were taught many battles to boost their fortunes through self-employment.
The Theni District Free Legal Task Force to help widows, husbands, women and other disabled women in their daily lives get help from the Sarwodeep Social Work Center Legal Awareness.
Youth Development
SARWODEEP's youth development program empowers young individuals by offering career guidance, awareness programs, and entrepreneurship guidance. These initiatives help youth make informed decisions, explore career options, and develop entrepreneurial skills. Through these efforts, 1155 youths have benefited from self-employment training in various fields such as Paper Cover Making, Mushroom Cultivation, Artificial Jewelry Making, Animal Husbandry, General Duty Assistant Training, Digital Literacy, Agarbathi Making, Health Home Attendant Training, and Potters Training.
Women Empowerment and Livelihood Promotion
ACCA Printing Press
ACCA Printing Press, a unit under SARWODEEP located on the campus of Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women (Autonomous), was established with the noble vision of providing employment opportunities to rural women in Theni District. The press offers jobs to Poor and Destitute rural women and physically challenged individuals from the district. It handles all printing and binding works for Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women (Autonomous). Additionally, the press produces notebooks for nearby schools and those operated by the sisters in Theni, Ramnad, and Dindigul districts. Vocational training programs are conducted in collaboration with THADCO and NABARD. The unit also offers services such as book binding, designing, lamination, invitation making, spiral binding, and file making to meet the needs of the college and the public.
Sarwodeep Type writing
The Sarwodeep Typewriting Institute provides training in both lower and higher courses in Tamil and English for children and youth. The institute also offers shorthand courses. Additionally, it offers a six-month Office Automation course. Many students at JAC are interested in pursuing these courses beyond their college hours. School-going students and women from outside the college also attend and receive certificates from this institute. The institute has significantly improved employability prospects in society, benefiting many individuals.
Napkin Unit
Our journey began in 2007.
The government trained a few SHGs under Sarwodeep, and now 36 families are benefiting by this organisation.
Healthy Napkin Self Help Group is a member of the Tamil Nadu Napkin Manufacturers Federation (TNSANFED – Tamilnadu Sanitary Napkin Manufacturing Federation) under the Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Corporation (TNCDW).
STAR Garments & Jute Unit
The tailoring unit at Sarwodeep has expanded into the STAR Garments Unit, offering various training programs on the use of sewing machines for women. Some women trained in this unit now work as employees. The unit has also been producing masks in large quantities; following the District Collector’s guidelines, 2000 masks were made for a women’s program.
In total, 9727 masks have been prepared and distributed to guards, transport workers, the dairy industry, civilians, voluntary groups, social welfare organizations, and hospitals. Additionally, the unit produces bags, purses, lunch bags made from jute material, and Star doormats.
Agarbathi making unit
20 Agarbathi machines were provided by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), with 10 tribal individuals completing their training. These trained individuals are now engaged in manufacturing Agarbathis and selling them to KVIC in Madurai. The initiative not only provides employment opportunities for tribal people but also promotes the use of traditional handicrafts and supports local industries.
Paper Recycling Unit
Educational institutions, offices, and the packaging industry use many paperboards and products in our state and country. They would like to use environmentally friendly covers, paper carry bags, program folders, and office files. We plan to establish a single production unit to supply all boards and products.
In India, forest-based raw materials supply more than 70% of overall paper industry requirements. Furthermore, forest coverage, which was around 30% in the 1950s, has decreased to less than 15% of total land mass. Even if the ecological imbalance is ignored, this will not be enough to meet demand by the end of the decade.
Our handcrafted paper is one-of-a-kind and environmentally friendly. Our recycled waste papers, cotton rags, jute, and banana fibers are used to make our handcrafted papers. More importantly, no toxic chemicals are used in the production of our handmade paper.
Reuse – Paper waste
Recycle – to generate a new one
Reduce – in order to save trees
Various types of waste papers are processed and transformed into usable items such as writing papers, printing papers, letterheads, scribbling pads, visiting cards, greeting cards, paper carry bags, program folders, photo frames, award frames, table organizers, office file varieties, box varieties, books, notebooks, tabletop items, and gift articles.
CSC & E-Sevai
In 2020, we established the Common Service Center, which in 2023 was recognized by the government as an e-service. Our center offers a range of services including the Crop Insurance Scheme, Chief Minister’s Medical Insurance Scheme, Kalaingarin Urimai Thogai and Insurance services. Located for easy access to the public, our center has successfully served 500 beneficiaries under the medical insurance scheme.
Widows Welfare
Having already served needy women and differently abled individuals, SARWODEEP is now focusing on disadvantaged women within its target area. According to a study by the organization, there are 2317 disadvantaged women in this area, including 1575 widows, 268 destitute individuals, 34 aged unmarried women, 415 elderly women, and 25 differently abled individuals. To empower these women, SARWODEEP has established a federation called Elucci Pengal Kootamaippu.
In Indian society, women are often seen as second-class citizens, leading to their marginalization and denial of human rights. Disadvantaged women, such as widows, destitute unmarried women, and differently abled individuals, face extreme poverty and social stigma, making it difficult for them to improve their living conditions and live with dignity.
Recognizing these challenges, SARWODEEP is proposing a special program for disadvantaged women. This program is designed to address their specific needs and improve their quality of life.
Tamilnadu Widows & Destitute Women Welfare Board
In May 2023, Dr. Sr. A. Sahaya Sangeetha was selected as a Non-Official Member for Entrepreneurship on the Tamil Nadu Widows Welfare Board by the Department of Social Welfare Board. This board, initiated by the Tamil Nadu Government in India in 2023, aims to address the welfare needs of widows in the state.
Kaimpengal Matrum Atharavatra Mahalir Nala Sangam -Tamilnadu
Kaimpengal Mattrum Atharavatra Pengal Nala Sangam – Tamilnadu, a program for widows’ welfare, was started in Tamil Nadu, including Sarwodeep, and registered under the Society Act in May 2023. It has its head office in Trichy.
The registration number is (SRG/Trichy – 87/2023)
Sarwodeep Society Theni
Sarwodeep Society in Theni has completed its society registration on April 10, 2024. This registration is a significant milestone, as it formalizes the society’s existence and legal standing. It also opens up opportunities for the society to access various benefits and resources available to registered societies.
Registration Number : SRG/Periyakulam/37/2024
Slum Clearance Board – (Kudisai Matru Variyam)
From October to December 2023, Sarwodeep assisted 33 beneficiaries in acquiring application forms and necessary documents for house purchases through the Urban Habitat Development Board. The focus was on facilitating housing opportunities for differently abled individuals, widows, and the economically disadvantaged. The applications were directly submitted to the relevant authority, and beneficiaries were subsequently selected for housing.
Tribal Development
Evening Tuition to the Tribal Children:
Currently Sarwodeep initiated a step to give education to the poor tribal children during this Covid-19 pandemic. From 2nd October 2021 members of this organization are gone to Chellan Colony, Periyakulam and teach the children every Saturday. 20 tribal children are benefited by this programme.
Garment making Training to Tribes:
Five sewing machines, along with sewing accessories and five meters of free cloth, provided to trainees to help them start their own sewing businesses. With these resources, the trainees were able to learn the skills needed to become self-employed. This initiative not only provided them with a means of income but also empowered them to take control of their financial futures.
Potters Development
- Improved potters careers were taught to use the power wheel and the soil grinding apparatus to stimulate the training of the simple people in the oppressed areas of society.
- (Khadi and Village Industries Commission – Madurai) –KVIC , With the help of the Khadar and Village Industries Commission, Madurai Zone, NABARD Asst General Manager Mrs.Bhuvaneswari and the Sarwodeep Social Work Center – Theni District. Periyakulam and Devadanapatti have been given free earthenware making machine to 40 persons who are practicing pottery.
Covid -19 Relief work
The total amount of Rs. 11,99,195/- was used to provide essential items such as groceries, food, vegetables, masks, rice, money, biscuits, and dresses to those in need. This act of kindness and generosity helped support families facing hardships, bringing them relief and hope during challenging times. The effort to provide these essentials demonstrates a deep sense of compassion and care for the well-being of others, reflecting a commitment to uplift the community and spread positivity.
Minority Community
Theni District Women Christian Women Aid Sangam – 2
The District Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Office sanctioned a matching grant of 11,80,000/- through the Theni District Christian Women Aid Sangam-2. This grant, received from the State Minority office in Chennai, reflects an initiative committed to supporting and uplifting the socio-economic status of marginalized Christian women in the community. The program aims to benefit 118 individuals from economically disadvantaged Christian backgrounds.
Beggars and Transgender
The “Socio-Economic Survey on Beggars” conducted in 2019 was submitted to the Government through Sarwodeep. This project, overseen by the District Collector, involved interviewing beggars to understand their reasons for begging. As a result, they were connected with the government assistance they required, and many were referred to government centers. Medical assistance was also provided as needed. The survey covered a total of 508 individuals, including 288 transgender individuals.
