Biennium Report for the year 2005 - 2007

“Bless the Lord, O My soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name".

Respected Bishop, Officers and Members of the Madras Diocesan Council, I am grateful to God Almighty for an opportunity given to me to submit the report for the biennium 2005 - 2007.

The main responsibility of the Board for Socio Economic Concerns is to be responsible for planning and implementing social and economic development services amongst the people who are in need. It maintains liaison with different organizations and projects active in the field and ensures proper co-ordination of services. In this biennium we had succeeded to promote enthusiasm among the Pastorates of Diocese to take the initiatives at the local level to identify socio-economic issues and motivate their congregations to respond them with meaningful action programmes by utilizing local resources.

1. Structured Programs

• Relief and Re-construction.

• Welfare and Development.

• Institutional and Specialized services.

• Community Organization and Social Action.

2. Tsunami Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme

On the 26th of December, 2004 disaster struck many nations. A massive sea quake struck the coast of Sumatra, triggering gigantic tidal waves that devastated the entire coastal areas of South East Asia. Starting from the Indonesian coast the waves struck Thailand, Srilanka, India and as far as Somalia in East Africa. This swift and staggering calamity made many nations sit up and rearrange their national priorities, particularly in favour of the coastal poor, who battle the sea day in and out to eke out a living.

The devastation caused in the Diocesan coastal areas was widespread. It was severe in some places in our diocesan areas. The difference was subtle but yet of the same degree in terms of human suffering and agony.

The Diocese responded to this calamity forming with a team of Pastors, Pastoral Assistants and Heads of Institutions were exhorted to organize relief services wherever required. As a result, major relief centers were established at Pulicat, Kalpakkam, Chengalpet, Pondicherry and Cuddalore.

People were provided with breakfast, lunch and supper in the form of meals, bread, biscuit and packaged water. Children in the camps were provided feeding bottles, milk powder and other needs. People were helped to take shelter in Diocesan buildings, temporary sheds and at other common places. Medical help was provided by C.S.I Medical Institutions and counselling support was provided by social workers.

The survey conducted by the Diocesan Staff revealed the following focus areas for rehabilitation and community rebuilding :

Housing, Meeting the family needs, Restoration livelihood resources, Facilitation of continuation of children’s education, Care and support those in trauma, creation alternative sources for the drinking water, Prevention of epidemics and promotion of community health.

Many Ecumenical Churches, Organizations, Friends, Partners and Individuals came in contact with the Diocese to express condolence and solidarity with the Diocese in this hour of crisis. Many of them offered help and assistance in various forms. All these offers were studied and suitable response had been sent to all. The work at field level commenced as soon as the funds & materials were made available.

The Collector of Kanchipuram District gave permission to the Diocese to work in five villages namely, Pudhunadu Kuppam, Pazhayanadu Kuppam, Angalamman Kuppam, Perunthuravu and Paramenkeni Kuppam in Kalpakkam area. Ever since the tsunami struck counselling had been an ongoing activity. However to make this a scientific and systematic one a group consisting of social workers and pastors have been identified and trained in Trauma Counselling. This team of 5 members visited all the affected areas and provided professional counselling for the needy.

Medical camps were conducted in all the four areas through the assistance of C.S.I Kalyani Multi-Specialty Hospital, CSI Rainy Hospital and CSI Hospital, Kanchipuram.

Since most of the victims were fishermen who depend on the sea for their livelihood motorized boats and nets were distributed by the Bishop as follows :

• Vadapattinam, Then Pattinam, Perunthuravu Paramankeni Kuppam, Angalamman Kuppam, (Kalpakkam Cluster) - 27 boats & nets.

• Neelangarai (C.S.I Palavakkam) - 4 boats & nets.

• Perriya Kalapet (Pudhucherri) - 5 boats & nets.

• Pulicut - 2 Medical boats.

In order to help children with the space to study an exclusive tuition centre had been created in the Singare Thoppu village near Cuddalore. In this centre with enough lighting facilities children from the village gathered to renew the day’s lessons and to study. This had resulted in a healthy culture where children come together, socialize team up and grow up and grow up with fraternal mind set.

The tsunami devastation had opened up the eyes of the world on the availability of huge human resource potential. This is particularly true of the women in the area.

In order to educate, organize and empower women economically, self - help group building process had begun. So far 99 Self- Help Groups had been formed. The details of the activities of the groups are given below.

The following are the Functional Details of the Self - Help Groups

• Total Membership - 1, 584 Persons

• Total Savings - Rs. 24, 74, 800/-

• Total Loan Disbursed - Rs. 52, 46, 000/-

• Total loan recovered - Rs. 43, 78, 000/-

Income Generation Programme

• Cordent Net Making Training of five villages at Kalpakkam.

• Hand Bag Making Project, Dry fish, Candle and other small scale business in seven villages at Cuddalore and Pondicherry.

• Medical Assistance also given to a few tsunami affected patients in various areas.

Educational Assistance

Financial Assistance

Major Funding Partners

• Episcopal Diocese of New York.

• Diocese of Carlisle.

• Geneva Global.

• Lutheran World Relief.

• Presbyterian Church, USA.

Relief Materials

• Cash and Carry - Contributed by World Vision, CASA & SISWA.

• Boats - Contributed by NCCI and TNCC for Pondicherry.

• Ambulance Van - Contributed by World Vision.

Involvements for Pastorates / Church in the Relief

• C.S.I - Yesu Anbar Aalayam Pastorates

• C.S.I - Church of Jesus the Saviour

• C.S.I - St. Mary Magdalene Pastorates

• C.S.I - St. Marks Church

• C.S.I - St. Thomas English Church

• C.S.I - St. Paul Church

• C.S.I - Aminiji Karai

3. Deepam Project

Introduction

The project DEEPAM (Dalit Emancipation through Evolving Agro-based Peoples’ Mobilisation) is a project of the Madras Diocese supported by the C. S. I. Diaconal Ministry. This is a three year project, which was commissioned on May 1st 2004. The main aim of the project is to educate, organize and empower the Dalit farmers in the society. The project mainly focuses on the small, marginal, landless labourers and tenant farmers of the society. The vision of the project is to educate through eco-friendly and traditional agricultural means. The project covers 52 villages in Thiruvallur block. The model farm which has been created at Ikkadu, serves a source of knowledge about organic farming.

Number of Staffs

• Programme Co-ordinator - 1

• Field Co-ordinators - 2

• Field assistant - 1

• Volunteers - 4

Reporting period - (January 2005 - December 2006)

Objectives & Activities

• Village level - 15 days training programme conducted at least once in each village.

Sangams - (12-15) sangam members participate in each meeting.

• Cluster level - 24 members constitute a cluster lever sangamam.

Sangams members meet once in a month. The sangams also have contact with the local congregation (local presbyters and office bearers)

• Area level sangam - These meetings / training programmes are conducted at area level involving all the four clusters.

Programmes - An Introduction to Organic Farming

• Bio-diesel plants and organic farming

• Sangam representatives meeting

• Sangam Registration

• Micro-credit training

• Banking & Savings

• Channels of Hope - Awareness on HIV / AIDS World Vision

Special Training

Women sangam members were sent to the 15 days programmes training programme on “Preparation of ready to use to farmers food products” conducted - by the Krishi Vigyan (exposure trainings) Kendra of State Agricultural Department.

The farmers were sent to the five days residential training on “Composite farming comprising of goats, sheep etc” conducted by the Farms India institution, Chennai.

Sangam Registration

Four cluster level sangams were registered on 04.07.2005 in the name of :

• Ikkadu Vivasayigal Putthakka Sangam.

• Othikkadu Vivasayigalputthakka Sangam.

• Thiruvallur Vivasayigal Putthakka Sangam.

• Kadambathur Vivasayigal Putthakka Sangam.

The sangams were registered under the Tamilnadu societies act, 1975.

Farming at Ikkadu

Model farming is done in 7 acres. So far four paddy crops have been harvested. Economic returns for the six crops are listed below :

• I crop - Rs. 70, 470/-

• II crop - Rs. 33, 345/-

• III crop - Rs. 78, 415/-

• IV crop - Rs. 43, 036/-

Totally an amount of Rs. 2, 25, 266/- is deposited in the bank.

Staff Training

Staff training programme conducted by Rev. Jacob programmes / General Belly at C. S. I. Diocese of Madras from 24.05.2004 - 26.05.2004

• Staff members attended the conference of “Eunuchs Adivasis - Dalits” at Villupuram on 29th and 30th of May 2004.

• Capacity building and exposure programme conducted by Mr. Panneer Selvam the Project Of ficer of Trichy - Tanjore Diocese at Padangi village of Perambalur, Trichy on 15th and 16th June 2004.

• The staff members attended the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights held at ICSA, Egmore, Chennai on 22nd June 2004.

• Exposure programme conducted by Mr. Panneer Selvam at the project area-Ikkadu on 23rd June 2004.

• The staff members attended a seminar on organic farming conducted by Naveena Velanmai on 17.04.2005.

• The project officer attended the workshop on project proposal writing conducted by the Board for Diaconal Ministry at Retreat Center St. Thomas, Chennai.

• The project officer attended the training camp on micro finance conducted by the Board for Socio - Economic Concerns, CSI Diocese of Madras at Kilpauk, Chennai from 13.06.2005 - 14.06.2005.

DEEPAM program (The I Phase) was carried out during the last biennium, which focused on training for farmers and women Sangam leaders in aspects of Eco-farming. The II Phase (DEEPAM) is a project of the Board supported by the C.S.I. Diaconal Ministry. This is a three year project, which was commissioned from April 2004. The main aim of the project is to educate, organize and empower the Dalit farmers in the community. The vision of the project is to educate them through Eco-friendly and traditional agricultural practices. The project covers 52 villages of four Pastorates namely Ikkadu, Othikkadu, Thiruvallur and Kadambathur. The model farm, which has been created at Ikkadu - serves as a source of information about organic farming.

During the past 9 months, the Dalit farmers were formed into Sangams in 45 villages of the four Pastorates. The various Eco-friendly technologies, the concept of organic farming and its merits and the evil effects of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides were imparted to a farmer. The farmers were also guided to practice the Eco-friendly techniques in their land.

The farmers in all villages have shown great interest in adopting the concept of organic farming. Solidarity among the farmers had been great achievement.

Revival and Demonstration of Traditional Agricultural Practices

• The natural fertilizers such as Panchakavyam, and herbal insecticide were prepared in the farm itself and applied to the field.

• A vermiculture shed was constructed near the project area. At present nursery was developed and the earthworms were allowed to reproduce. Vermicompost of nearly 10 kg were obtained from the nursery of earthworms.

4. Integrated Women and Children Project - Nagari

Introduction

Integrated women and children project was started by the Diocese under Socio-Economic Board at C.S.I Hospital Nagari (A.P) in the May 2004. It was mainly focused to improve the Better Health condition and also improve the Socio-Economic Condition. The project area covers 20 Villages in and around Nagari. We were conducting free medical camps, Reproductive health camps and Immunization camps for the children. We were also creating awareness about HIV/AIDS. Let us see the various programmes organized by our project.

Objectives

• To create awareness on health conditions and enable families to plan for healthy life.

• To organize community based forums in order to enhance health condition.

• Health care for women and children in the community.

• To create awareness about the importance of Education.

• To improve the Socio-Economic condition of the families in the community.

The main components of this project health, health care, health education, social and economic empowerment.

Special Programmes

1. AIDS awareness programmes are organized in Tharani, Kakavedu, Ekkambara Kupppam and K. G. Kuppam 574 people benefited from this programme.

2. The general free medical camps are organized in Gundraj Kuppam, Ekkambara Kupppam K. G. Kuppam, Iruguvoy, Natham, K. V. Kuppam Sathrawada 1,497 people benefited through these camps.

3. The free reproductive health camps are conducted in Keelapattu, Ramapuram, Sathrawada and Aroor 319 women benefited. Various diseases were diagnosed in this camp

• White Discharge

• Menstrual Problem

• Antenatal checkup

• General body weakness

• anemia etc.,

Other Accomplishments

We had a night school programme at Tharani & Natham village for the school drop- outs. We also conducted free tuition programme for the school going children at Mudipalli & Kakavedu villages. There are 31 school drops - out children who benefited by the Night school programme and 147 school going children benefited by the free tuition programme. In 20 villages about 716 students were promoted in the academic year 2006.

We had organized the Income Generation training programme for the women SHG’s with an idea to raise their Socio- Economic condition. More than 300 women are being trained for Candle Making, Basket weaving and wall hanging materials.

37 patients underwent HIV Test from the villages. Among them we identified 8 positive cases and the rest 29 were negative. For the positive cases we gave an elaborate idea of taking care of their health, using ARV Drugs etc.

Project Evaluation

Evaluation team from LWR(Lutheran world Relief) & ATSWA came to visit us and evaluated the project activities which were completed in the village and how the people on the community benefited through the Rural Health Care Centers which started by the project.

Number of Beneficaries Through the Project

• Number of people treated in General Free Medical Camps - 1038.

• Number of women benefited from the Free Reproductive Health Camps - 335.

• Number of patients treated in Rural Health Centers - 913.

• Number of patients referred to the Hospital - 108.

• Number of people who participated in the AIDS Awareness Programme - 574.

• Number of people who participated in the Income generation Programme - 300.

• Number of children who participated in the Non - Formal Education and Free Tuition Programme - 178.

• Total Number of Beneficiaries through this project - 3446.

This project is sponsored by Lutheran World Relief Duration of project is 3 years.

5. Learning from Adivasis

This is a programme to organise of organizing the Adivasis (tribal) into federations and enabling them to create a forum for themselves at District, State and National levels. This programme was part of the Regional project of the North Tamilnadu Region of the C.S.I - DM.

13 cents of land purchased by the Diocese at Kullanchavadi has been distributed to 13 Adiyan community families. A Tsunami Rehabilitation Social Welfare Centre has been constructed by the Diocese costing Rs. 1.5 1akhs.

Relief materials worth Rs.30,000/- distributed to the flood victims of Kullanchavadi. A Day Care Centre for 50 children and 20 senior citizens has been opened there.

73 school children were issued uniforms. Some of the very poor students were issued educational subsidy by the Board.

Irular Communities in Pulicut were identified and welfare materials were arranged by the Board. Self Help Groups for the Adiyan community women were established at Kullanchavadi. Each group was given Rs 10,000/- as revolving capital. 16 women were distributed uniforms.

Mr. Chinrasu, of Thangalikuppam, Arundadhiyar colony was given Rs.10, 500/- towards his self employment.

Subsidies were distributed to those who had obtained driving licenses.

A one day Seminar for HIV affected of the persons was conducted on 07.10.2006 in which the Director of the. Board for Socio Economic Concerns gave assurance to provide health and education assistance to the affected children.

6. Kiama India Student Support Programme

Introduction

The Kiama Indian Student Support Program is a project of the Madras Diocese sponsored by the Baptist church at Kiama (Sydney Australia) has been involved in supporting under-privileged children in their education and development of leadership qualities.

The project mainly focuses on the children from marginalized Families such as pavement dwellers and people with HIV/AIDS and leprosy. Also those socially. Stigmatised and economically impoverished irrespective of caste and creed.

The aim of this scheme is that, the children are not shifted to hostels or orphanages, but remained in mutually supportative relationships with their families.

The support offered was intensive encouragement and motivation through regular visits, monetary support and educational support through provision of uniforms, clothes, books, school fees and tuition fees etc.

At present 75 children have benefited from this program. The project area covers 25 villages in and around Chennai and Chengalpet. These children were visited at their homes and in their schools to monitor the progress, development and welfare.

The meetings for beneficiaries are conducted once in two months, when Christian instruction and personality development programs would take place. Children are taken out, once a year for an educational tour enabling them to continue to learn, share and interact with each other. Health check-ups are also conducted for the children once a year. The reports of the students are sent to the sponsors periodically.

One of the beneficiary students, P. Anbu has been admitted for B.E., (Mechanical Engineering Course) at King’s Engineering College at Sriperumbudhur.

Activities of the Program

Beneficiary Meetings

The Cluster level beneficiaries meeting for the year 2005 was conducted for the Chennai and Chengalpet clusters on 13.08.05 at C.S.I Church, West Tambaram. The organisers of the Kiama India Student Support. Programme, Mrs. & Mr. Charles hosted the function. Rev. Ebenezer Kirubakaran the Director BSEC headed the meeting. Mr. Athmanesan and Rev. Thirumari Surya attended the meeting. 150 members were present at the meeting including the parents of the beneficiaries.

The cluster level meeting for the year 2006 was conducted at CSI Church, West Tambaram. Mr. Charles and Mrs. Valerie hosted the function. Rev. Ebenezer Kirubakaran, Miss. Sharmila, Director BSEC, Southern Area Chairman Rev. Paul Dayanandan also took part in the meeting. (omit) 200 members were present.

Sports

Sports meet was conducted for the beneficiaries for the Chengalpet cluster at St. Columba’s School, and the Chennai cluster at St. Paul’s School, Vepery. Ms. Suseela Jell, Convenor - Primary Schools presided over the meet.

Medical Camp

Medical camp was conducted for the Chennai and Chengalpet cluster children on 25.04.06 at C.S.I Church, West Tambaram. The Medical teams from CSI Kalyani Multi Specialty Hospital worked with 80 children.

New Sponsored Children ( 2004 - 2005 )

• 15 new children (Chengalpet and Chennai) were selected for sponsorship for the academic year 2004 - 2005.

• 10 children were selected for sponsorship for the academic year 2005- 2006 from various places in and around Chennai.

• Fourteen new children from different places in and around Chennai were selected for sponsorship for the academic year 2006- 2007.

• One of our beneficiary students Mr. Anbu (Engineering student) took baptism at C.S.I Arul Church, Madhavaram on 14.08.05.

• Mr. Anbu was paid Rs. 30,000/- towards his tuition and hostel fee for every year of his course. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1500/- by the College for ranking first in his semester exams.

• Beneficiaries, Mr. Sathish and family were affected by the Tsunami. They were given relief materials such as provisions, temporary housing, medical care etc

• The Organisers of the Kiama India Student Support Programme Mrs. & Mr. Charles from Australia arrived on the 14th of June 05.

• Five students who appeared for the Govt. board exam 2005 passed. Miss. Rekha has joined the Nursing course. Other children joined +1.

• Five children appeared for the 10th std. Govt. Board exam 2006, and one boy for 12th std. They all passed.

• Every year the beneficiary children are supported for all their educational needs.

• At present 75 children are being supported by this programme.

7. Social Action Cell (SAC)

In collaboration with CASA - Social Action Cells have been started in Central Area and Southern Area of the Diocese. In the Central Area Cluster Arakkonam(3 Pastorates), Kilpakkam, Sholinghur, R.K.Pet, Nemili, Vada Kadappathangal and Paravathur Pastorates have been included. In the Southern Area Cluster Madurantagam, S.V. Chathiram, Thiruparuthikundram, Karunguzhi, Uthiramerur, Kancheepuram, Walajabad, Sriperumbudhur, and Vedal Pastorates have been included.

SAC meetings are held in four levels

• Village level.

• Pastorate level.

• Area level.

• Diocesan level.

The main aim of SAC is implementation

• Panchayat Raj

• Organizing the Un­organized Labourers.

Regular meetings are conducted at the Village level every week, Pastorate level every month, Area level three times a year Diocese level once a year.

8. Empowerment of Urban Poor Through Organising Coolies in Unorganised Sector

The Churches particularly Madras North Area were motivated to get involved in various social service activities, especially amongst the unorganized labourers. A total of 1500 persons were registered with the welfare Boards and 21 Sangams were formed. These Sangams were federated with the Tamilnadu Manual Workers Association that takes up issues pertaining to the livelihood of Persons in the Sangams.

Dhanara 3 times, Public rally 10 times, street demonstration 3 times HIV / AIDS.

Public Rally and Procession T. Nagar, Jeeva Park, Memorial Hall, Labour Statue and Gandhi Statue.

Evacuation : Srinivas puram replaced Thothar pakkam

M K B Nagar (Ambekar Street) replaced the Community hall in local area.

Thaiya Kuppam replaced Kargil Nagar.

9. Pudunagar - Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre

Pudunagar is a Centre for Leprosy patients established 32 years ago by our revered Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Lesley Newbigin. After a period of inactivity for about a decade, we have now renewed our ties with the project once again. During 2005 - 2006 we have spent Rs.81, 862/- for the education of their children, medical and other help every month. We issue 225 kg. rice to 24 families. I have been asked to construct 24 houses for them. The foundation stone for the above project was laid on 05.04.2006, by The Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, Bishop. Ms. Candy Boyce of Australia is sponsoring this project.

10. Career Guidance and Motivation

Employment is one of the main problems confronting rural youth. Most of them are not just unemployed but are unemployable. In order to help them understand the situation and expose them to other avenues of seeking a livelihood, Career Guidance and Motivation Camps were conducted at Walajabad, Ikkadu, Thrruninravur, Tambaram and Chengalpet.

11. Restaurant and Counter Course

Several programmes have been initiated in our Diocese to help youth from rural areas find gainful employment. One such initiative was the course in ''Restaurant and Counter Service". This course was initiated to capitalize on the positive consequences of globalization and liberalization policy through which the demand and scope for employment in the hospitality industry had grown manifold in the recent years.

Boys and Girls who had passed +2 or failed degree level, in the age group between 21 - 25 years and with a pleasing personality were encouraged to apply.

52 candidates in 6 batches successfully completed the course and obtained employment in various 3 to 5 star hotels. Their starting salary was Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 4,000 excluding tips. In order to give visibility and recognition for the course, all the candidates were dressed up in the ceremonial convocation dress on the respective graduation days celebrated in colorful functions.

The Restaurant and Counter Service course was a small beginning in a formerly unknown area. By the grace of God this has been a path breaking experience which has capacitated our youth from different pastorates. The future looks promising and with God’s continued guidance we will be able to help more people in future.

12. Panchayat Elections 2006

The Board conducted 10 preparatory meetings of Panchayat Elections 2006 in all the four areas of the Diocese to empower the people to actively take part in the local governance and to identify the potential leaders especially Dalit and women from 48 Pastorates. 284 participants attended these meetings. From them 136 candidates contested the elections for various posts. Among them 97 were elected as Ward members, Presidents, Union Councilors and District Councilors.

The Diocese had contributed Rs.88,542/- (Rupees eighty eight thousand five hundred and forty two only) and CASA contributed Rs.5,718/- (Rupees five thousand seven hundred and eighteen only) for the various expenses of this programme.

The felicitation meeting for those elected leaders for various posts is to be conducted on 17.11.2006 in which our Bishop would felicitate them.

13. Welfare and Relief

Small welfare and relief measures were provided. Rs.l, 35, 258/- was given in the biennium.

14. Alternatives in Children’s Education (ACE)

The programme focuses on children who belong to the Dalit Community, who are otherwise known as the untouchables. Most of the Dalit are landless, daily wage earners with no guarantee of employment. They are assured of work only for 90 days in a year. They have no food security and live in ill-health, ignorance, lack of basic amenities and virtually lead a hand to mouth existance their. Most of them do not possess resources to sustain their- families and livelihood.

In this context, education alone holds promise for their empowerment and transformation. Education alone gives to the poor self- worth, self-determination and self reliance.

ACE Computer Centre was started on 13-08-2005 at CSI High School, Ikkadu, Miss. N. Malathi took over the responsibility of the Instructor post of the centre.

Course: Windows, Ms-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet, FoxPro, C, C++, HTML, JAVA, Visual Basic (Front page), Oracle, Pager Maker, Corel draw, Photoshop and Tally.

The summer Bridge Course for the students of this Project promoted to X Std was given intensive coaching in the X Std curriculum. 55 children both boys and girls (60% of them were girls) benefited from the course held at C.S.I Melrosapuram Day Care Centre from 30.04.2006 - 06.05.2006.

15. Change of Leadership

In August 2006 Rev. Ebenezer Kirubakaran relinquished his Office as Director, Board for Socio Economic Concerns and the new Director Ms. Sharmila David has assumed the responsibilities.

Mr. Arul Daniel Sunder Raj who joined as Administrator, Anbagam CSI Home for the Aged on 01.09.1984 under our Board, subsequently in various posts of our board retired from our Diocese on 30.09.2006. We place on record our deep appreciation for Mr. Arul Daniel Sunder Raj’s services during the past 22 years.

16. Acknowledgement

I wish to place on record a deep sense of gratitude to all those who have made all this possible, particularly the field and project staff. The Area Co-ordinators were a strong support in times of crisis. Their judgment and wise counsel paved the way for the success of these multifaceted programmes. The Bishop and the Officers added meaning to the programmes with their wisdom. The Presbyters and the Pastorate Committee representatives steered the SACs so successfully that we were able to see results My thanks are due to you all.

Sharmila David
Director,
Board for Socio-Economic Concerns,
C.S.I Diocese of Madras,
226, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 86.