| HISTORY
From the Past………….. 1986 - 89: |
| 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
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. |
