ASER Survey
CEEMA undertook ASER Survey (Annual Status of Education Report) in Erode District this year also. Two of our staff had gone for five-day master training at Salem, conducted by PRATHEM agency. After this training, they had trained 35 volunteers from college and our staff for three days. The survey was conducted in 30 villages in Erode District. The volunteers and the staff of CEEMA worked hard to complete the survey successfully. We had submitted the report on time as per their guidelines.
Flood relief works
Various parts of Erode District experienced heavy rain in 2018, which caused heavy damaged to the property of people. The director and the staff of CEEMA immediately visited the flood affected areas and distributed relief materials such as food packets, milk, bread and other nutritious items. We collected relief materials from a few SHGs. About 200 towels, bed sheets and dhotis were distributed as immediate requirements to the affected people. CEEMA had allocated some funds from our own resources to procure food materials. We purchased some basic medicines to protect them from common diseases. CEEMA also collected materials for Kerala flood relief and send it to through Coimbatore Diocese to Kerala.
Support from TASOSSTASOSS has given financial assistance of Rs. 8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakhs) to undertake relief work. A committee was formed to plan and monitor the relief work. We had collected the data related to the damage caused and took a list of flood victims with the help of local civil authorities. The Tahsildar and VAO were highly helpful. We also ensured that the children re-join schools immediately. We replaced all necessary education materials. CEEMA had distributed towel, bed sheets, sarees, mug, buckets, rice, sweater, T-shirts, cloths, lungi, mats, nighties and steel canister to the victims.
Details of distribution
Health camp
CEEMA organized a health camp at Palanipuram on 16.12.2018. Dr. Emili Susai and Dr. Pramila attended the patients. 240 people participated. Free drugs were dispensed.
Educational assistance
CEEMA organized motivational classes to the flood victim children on 13.01.2019. 164 children participated. We have also distributed notebooks, stationeries, and school bags.
Capacity building training
Two capacity building trainings organized at CEEMA on 13.01.2019 and 20.01.2019. 210 people from Ooratchi Kottai, Palanipuram, Somasudarapuram, Market Street, Parameshwarar Street, and Bhavani old bus stand Street participated.
Review & planning:
There was a review of flood relief activities by DSSS of Coimbatore, Ootty, Salem, and Erode on 20th November 2018 at CEEMA. Rev. Fr. Albert Thambidurai (director, TASOSS) along with Mrs. Mary Nirmala (programme officer, TASOSS) conducted the review. CEEMA, Udhagamandalam Social Service Soceity (USSS), Coimbatore Multipurpose Social Service Soceity (CMSSS), and Salem Social Service Soceity (SSSS) participated. The DSSS directors and staff presented their progress report and discussed future activities in the flood affected areas.
SPECIAL EVENTS
CEEMA observed the feast of St. Mother Theresa as ‘Charity Day’ on 5th September 2018 and provided food packets to the poor in Erode town. The director and the staff went around to different places in the town and distributed 100 food packets to the poor and the beggars. It was good experience for all of us.
On 8th September 2018, we observed the feast of Our Lady of Velanganni (Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary). We decorated Our Lady grotto and cooked Pongal. We had invited the sisters and the inmates of Little Sisters of the poor old age home, Tindal and conducted prayer service and distributed Pongal to all. Fr. Pushpanathan conducted prayer service at the grotto.
Christmas Celebration
CEEMA family celebrated Christmas on 18`h December at our premises. It was really a time of rejoice and rededication.Most Rev. L. Thomas Aquinas (bishop of Coimbatore Diocese & president of CEEMA) was thechief guest. The programme commenced with prayer song and lighting KuthuVilakku. Mrs. Gomathi welcomed all guests and well-wishers. Most. Rev. L.Thomas Aquinas delivered the presidential address.
Christmas message was given by Very. Rev. Fr. John Joseph Stanis(VG & vice president of CEEMA). Rev. Fr. Joe Francis (Diocese finance administrator), Rev. Fr. John Xavier Kulandai (joint secretary of CEEMA) and Mr. R.M. Subramanian (joint director, Agriculture, Erode, Rtd.) were also present along with other Priests and Sisters. The highlight of the programme was various cultural events presented by the staff and beneficiaries of CEEMA.
Gifts were given to the guests, members of the general body, well-wishers, Fathers, Sisters, volunteers and staff of CEEMA. Fr. V. Arun (former director of CEEMA) was also honoured. Rev. Fr. S. Pushpanathan (director of CEEMA) thanked all guests and invitees. Bishop blessed the Crib and cut the cake. Santa Claus distributed sweets. Sumptuous lunch was serve.
CEEMA celebrated Farmers Day at Kundadam&Mulanur Blocks. Mrs. D. Valarmathi (joint director of Agriculture) presided over the programme. Mr. R. M. Subramaniam, Ms. K. R. Julie (director of Agri, Kundadam), Mr.Manikandan (BDO), Mrs.Arthi(Sericulture Department), Joint Secretary of Nehru Yuva Kendra, local Panchayat Secretaries, and
all our field staff had participated in this celebration. Farmers sung many traditional songs. We had conducted various games and prizes were distributed to all winners. Sweet Pongal was distributed at the end.
International Women’s Day Celebration
International Women’s Day was celebrated in four places. On 11/03/2019 at Mulanur Block and 130 women participated. At CEEMA premises on 13th March 2019 for the participants from Perundurai and Kangayam SHGs. About 100 women participated. On 14/03/2019 at Kundadam and 90 women participated. On 19/03/2019 at Daharapuram about 150 women participated. In all the places, entertainment programs were conducted and prizes were distributed along with sumptuous lunch.
During the program at CEEMA, special addressed was given by Rev.Fr.K.John Xavier Kulandai (VF & Joint Secretary of CEEMA). Other speaker was Mrs. Mary Nirmala (Programme Officer, TASOSS). In her speech, she pointed out that all women should be treated with due respect and they should be given 33% reservation in
politics and governance. Women in agriculture and construction sectors are not treated at par with men. Equal wages shall be given to men and women who do the same work. Right to Land and Right to Wages should be made. She further pointed out that India stands 108th place in gender equality in 2018 and 107th place in 2017. She cited various atrocities against women recently in Pollachi town.
Special training for coconut tree climbing
A six-day residential training programme was conducted at CEEMA premises on coconut tree climbing using a mechanical climber. Rev. Fr. S. Pushpanathan welcomed the participants and Mr. R.M. Subramaniaminaugurated the programme. Twenty farmers in the age group of 18 to 40 and two CEEMA staff had participated. The aim of this training was to teach coconut tree climbing in a safer and fast method using a climbing device.
The participants were given a free climber costing Rs. 4,000/- designed by Coconut Development Board and insurance worth Rs.20,000/-.The participants were given technical inputs on coconut tree growing. The training programme was supported by Coconut Development Board, Kochi through ICAR KVK, MYRADA, Gobi.
Other Activities
- 50 students of Nandha Engineering College, Erode came for NSS field work as part of field extension work on 16.03.2019. They cleaned the campus. The director and the staff explained the activities of CEEMA to them.
- B.Sc. Agriculture students from JKK Munirajah College of Agricultural Science, Gobichettipalayam, Erode visited CEEMA as part of community extension service on 21.03.2019. About 97 students and 4 faculties attended. The director welcomed them and explained the activities of CEEMA.
- Two BSW students from Stella Maris College, Chennai had come for the block placement to CEEMA.
Minority schemes
Seven members (six women & one man) from Ackarai kodivery parish submitted application for loan to start income generation activities to the Deputy Collector of Erode in the presence of Fr. Pushpanathan (director) and Ms.Roseline (program manager).
Fr. Pushpanathan participated at the district-level planning meeting for loan mela of Minority Department on 31.01.2019 at Erode Collectorate. The loan mela was held from 5th to 28th February 2018 at district central cooperative bank. CEEMA had collected 120 applications from Christians and submitted it to the Minority Department.
Staff Exposure cum Training Programme
The staff of CEEMA was taken for an exposure cum training programme to Valparai. Rev.Fr.MariaJoseph,the former Director of CEEMA had taken two sessions on social analysis. It was a enriching programme. For all staff enjoyed the trip and learned to work better.
