1990 - 2000:
During this period animation programmes were
started and animators were appointed for the grass root level activities.
We started the construction of biogas plants for energy conservation
and implemented various other programmes such as low cost housing,
sanitation facilities, self employment programs, capacity building
of the community leaders and staff .Entrepreneurship development
training programs, organic agriculture, herbal medicines, and medicinal
plants cultivation were also initiated during the period. Coir yarn
training centre as a skill development centre was an innovative
step of that period. Advances from financial institutions were started
to avail loans for self employment programs of the target people.
.
Formation and strengthening of people's organization
was initiated during this period. Neighborhood groups followed by
Self Help Groups, Mahilasamajams, , youth Clubs, Nature fraternity
clubs were the main grass root level structures formed during the
period. A peoples' bank campaign in the name of Credit Unions was
established at parish level. The federation of the women groups
called Women Action Society (WAS) was first of this kind. Community
halls were constructed in various villages as part of the Adivaram
Integrated development Project. Peoples organization were started
running nursery schools under the sisusadan project with active
collaboration and support of SAVE A FAMILY PLAN.We purchased a land
near Kaithappoyil and constructed a Community hall for conducting
various training programmes and meetings. Later on this became the
training center of the Organization. The Diocesan Perspective Plan
conducted with the help of Caritas India helped us to identify the
priorities and to plan for future
Our role in the Jeerakappara Forest Protection Council (Jeerakapara
Vana samrakshana samiti) in 1994 was an example of our social commitment
and intervention in the local issues. Our greater involvement in
the participatory forest management programme and membership in
Block Panchayath level SGSY committee were signs of collaboration
with various Government Departments
There were changes in the administrative body
of the organization during this period. When the founder Patron
Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikari passed away, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy became
the Bishop and he was replaced by Bishop Mar Paul Chittilapilly
as the Patron of the organization. Msgr. Francis Aruparayil, Msgr.
Joseph Keelath and Msgr. Sebastian Kanjirakattukunnel were chaired
the position of President of COD and led the organization to new
heights. Fr. Joseph Mathew Oliakattil replaced Fr. John Kalariparambil
as the Director of the organization. Fr. Biju Nirappel was appointed
as the Assistant Director.
2001 - 2005:
During this period we could establish ourselves
as a development and training organization through various innovative
programmes. Collaborations and linkage with the government Departments,
non government institutions and financial institutions were increased
to a larger volume. Animation courses for the youth, trainings for
banks and financial institutions were initiated during this period.
Programmes conducted in collaboration with All India Radio were
inspiring and gave a lot of applause. Free distribution of radios
for poor children was another charitable activity done during the
period. Capacity building programmes were another activity that
gave far reaching impact in the programme fold of COD. Skill up
gradation for women in bamboo crafts, tailoring, embroidery masonry
work, construction of smokeless choola, construction of sanitary
latrine were activities carried out with a gender perspective. Career
guidance for youth and children were another activity started as
part of capacity building. An internal auditing team for the saving
and thrift activities of SHGs was a beginning in the decentralized
system of management. We were also functioned as the District Implementing
Institute for the Decentralized training programmes for the members
of Local self Governments of Kozhikode supported by KILA-CapDeck.
We were actively entered in to the water sector
with the World Bank aided project of Govt. of Kerala called Jalanidhi.
COD was the support organization for the implementation of rural
water supply schemes of Jalanidhi Project in Koodaranji, Veliyamcode
and Cherukave Grama Panchayaths. We could complete more than 90
rural water supply schemes through this project. Another initiative
in the water sector during the period was the promotion of roof
water harvesting through Ferro cement technology.
Promotion of bio gas plants was an initiative
in alternative energy creation. This programme was taken to the
public by the Natural Resource Management (NRM) department of COD.
Aditya solar shop, an initiative of COD for the promotion of solar
energy deals with the sales and service of solar lanterns and panels.
Integrated watershed development programme was another activity
promoted by NRM department. The Kattullamala watershed with the
support of SAFP was an example for integrated development in watershed
based approach. Participatory Action Research (PAR) on NRM paved
the way for high level of community participation in soil, water
and biomass conservation activities.
Entrepreneurship development is another activity
that COD promotes among its community based organizations with highest
priority. Small ventures of different varieties for alternative
income generation were promoted among the partner families. Another
remarkable achievement was the beginning of activities among disabled
people with the active support of Community Based Rehabilitation
forum. We started activities in three Grama Panchayaths in Kozhikode
district. COD was associated with District Industries Center for
promoting young entrepreneurs through the Prime Ministers Rozgar
Yojana (PMRY) scheme. This initiative was recognized by giving us
the district award for the best model of disabled intervention under
the PMRY scheme.
COD always gave priority for the essential infrastructure
development of the partner families. In Sanitation sector, we have
collaborated with Kodenchery Grama Panchayath for the construction
of 500 sanitary latrines for the under privileged class. Construction
of houses and repair works of existing works for the tribal people
are another activity in the infrastructure development. Activities
under tribal are carried out with the support of Block Panchayath
and other Government agencies. As a recognition for this work we
were given membership in the district level technical committee
for the preparation of tribal sub plan and were awarded A grade
accreditation from the department of tribal development, state of
Kerala.
As part of our decentralization process, we have
divided our entire operational area in to three regions and further
in to nineteen units called Grama Vikasana Sanithi (GVS) for better
coordination and smooth implementation of the programmes. The diversification
of activities was also started during this period. The fan assembling
unit at Maruthomkara promoted by COD among the disabled group was
an innovative step. Awareness programmes for the prevention of HIV
/AIDS is another new area. An award in the name of Late Mr. Vincent
Joseph, our staff member to honor the best performing SHGs was constituted
during this period. The official Website of COD was inaugurated
during this period. A monthly publication in the name of Sadhaka
was also started during the year. Loans from financial institutions
for on lending to SHG were also started in this period. We were
also in the front for relief and rehabilitation when natural calamities
ruin the life and assets of people. As part of this we have carried
out relief and rehabilitation in Pasukkadavu landslide and constructed
17 houses for the victims.
Another unique initiative started during
this year was the Karunyanidhi, a charity fund raised through peoples'
participation and well wishers.
Through the present
..
2006 - 2010:
Sustainable development intervention and positive
linkages were the key focus during this period. We try to develop
our self as a leading development organization in the state. Documentation
and the public relations were given high priority during this period.
A health desk is also established at central level to coordinate
various interventions in health issues. We started the situational
Analysis in four Grama Panchayaths on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Later on a Project was also launched for giving awareness on preventing
HIV/ AIDS, care and psycho - social support of the infected and
affected. Assistance for starting income generation programmes for
the persons living with HIV/AIDS is another programme initiated
for them. A special programme was also started with the support
of Clinton foundation for giving nutritional and educational support
to children living with HIV/AIDS We have initiated the health Insurance
program for the poor people in collaboration with the United India
Insurance Co. and the Micro insurance program in association with
the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
In community based Organizations we have initiated
groups for senior citizens and affiliation of other SHGs in to our
programme fold. A detailed Diocesan perspective plan was prepared
for the next five years in tune with the millennium development
goals. This process was facilitated by Caritas India. Animation
programmes were promoted among the grass root level organizations
Occupation oriented activity groups are promoted as part of animation
process.
Collaborations with various government
departments were continued during this period. Vermi compost promotion
with the support of Spices Board, Waste management program in three
Grama Panchayaths in association with Center for Environment and
Education (CEE) were programmes that created an impact among community.
Organic agriculture was an area of special importance during this
period. Edakkattuparamba watershed programme with the support of
SAFP was also started during this period.
Housing programme for the tribal people with the active support
of Tribal department is going on now.
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