| Funding Partners, Projects and Duration |
| 1. |
MANOS UNIDAS - Popularising integrated organic farming by adopting indigenous farmers-level technologies for sustainability - 2007 to 2009 |
| 2. |
CARITAS FINLAND - Capacity building of the rural farmers on biotechnological approaches for sustainability and eco and environment protection – 2008 to 2010 |
| 3. |
ACT – JAPAN – Capacity building and rehabilitation of the physically handicapped in the Tsunami affected villages of Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu State through vocational and skills training - September, 2008 to December, 2009. |
| 4. |
DEPARTMENT OF BIO-TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, NEW DELHI – Sustainability of sericultural income through integrated bio-technological approach for women – 2008 to 2010. |
| Some of the ongoing projects are: |
| • |
Sustainable agricultural income to 450 farming women from 5 Panchayat areas of Athoor Block in Dindigul District. |
| • |
Implementation of Soil to Silk Fabrics Project under one roof with employment, training and demonstration facilities (described below) |
| • |
Training and demonstration in organic farming and vermicomposting (described below). |
| • |
Formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and implementation of micro credit schemes. |
| • |
Training in technical career oriented courses such as type writing, computer education, etc. (described below). |
| • |
Individual latrines for SHG members (described below). |
| • |
Rehabilitation and assistance to the disabled and destitute persons (described below). |
| Sirpa Silks and Allied Industries India : |
| SSSPT’s dream of establishing a training, demonstration cum production unit of silk, right from mulberry cultivation to production of silk fabric, ‘Soil to Silk’ under one umbrella came true during 2003-2004. The unit of manufacturing ‘SSAAII’ silk products is equipped with the necessary machinery and appliances for various stages of silk production from mulberry cultivation to silk fabric production. SSSPT is proud to be one of the first authorised users of ‘Silk Mark’, the quality standard for silk products under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, facilitated by the Central Silk Board. The unit is christened as ‘SIRPA SILKS AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES INDIA’ in commemoration of Ms Sirpa Monteiro, the Executive Secretary of Caritas, Finland, who was instrumental in raising funds for this dream come true, i.e., ‘SOIL TO SILK UNDER ONE UMBRELLA’. The silk sarees produced exclusively on handlooms are sold to the Women Self Help Groups of SSSPT at a 15% discount rate, which may be paid in ten monthly instalments. This enables the marginalized women to wear pure silk sarees on festive occasions, marriages, etc. at affordable rates. |
| Vermi-composting |
| To reduce the cost of fertilizer and pesticide inputs in the farming sector, to make agriculture an income-generating activity, for increasing food production and for the full employment of the rural man power, SSSPT started a 12 tonnes/month capacity vermi-composting unit in the year 1995 and is rendering inputs assistance and necessary training and demonstration to the beneficiaries of the project and the farmers of the neighbouring locality. Each trained beneficiary is given 100 kgs of vermin-compost besides 2 kgs of earth worms free of cost. Each beneficiary is also given Rs.4400/- to start their own vermin-composting unit. This year 71 beneficiaries got Rs. 4400/- each totalling Rs. 312, 400/- under this scheme. |
| Typewriting Institute |
| The typewriting institute of SSSPT, functioning from 1999, imparting typewriting classes in English and Tamil from junior to high speed level to the students from this locality, is approved by the Department of Technical Examinations, Government of Tamil Nadu. From the very beginning, the institute secures First Class with Distinction for more than 90% of the students. The Institute was the gracious outcome of funds from Manos Unidas of Spain, during 1998-99. |
| Individual Latrines |
| Under the Government Health and Hygienity Scheme, 318 members are enrolled for construction of individual latrines in their houses, by which each beneficiary will get Rs.3000/- per latrine as a loan, with a subsidy of Rs.1200/- . Hence a member need only to repay Rs.1800/- to the Government. These are in addition to the free individual latrines provided by SSSPT at an actual cost of Rs.465, 000/- during the financial year 2006-07. More and more people are getting enrolled for this scheme to keep their dwelling places hygienic. |
| Rehabilitation and Assistance to the Disabled and Destitute Persons |
| A new project with the funding assistance from ACT – JAPAN is being implemented for the rehabilitation of physically challenged youth from the Tsunami affected areas of Nagapattinam District. This year we identified 80 beneficiaries for various livelihood activities, with a revolving fund assistance of Rs.7, 500/- each. 60 youth were trained under the skills training programmes, namely computer training, tailoring, embroidery and candle-making. All the participants are now having their own livelihood means besides exposure and other government benefits like tri-cycles, wheel chairs, walking sticks, callipers, etc. This project is expected to be implemented till 2016 so as to enable a minimum of 760 beneficiaries to have a concrete base for their livelihood. |
| SSSPT is rendering assistance in money, food and clothes to the 75 odd blind inmates of ‘Saint Joseph Society for the Blind’ in Thomayarpuram, near Dindigul, from the day of its inception as a public charitable trust. Local handicapped students are given financial assistance for studies, tri-cycles, walkers, etc. Four destitute persons were given assistance by construction of dwelling houses for them, rehabilitating them from their roadside refuge of North Panjampatty. Aid is also given to flash flood victims and HIV/AIDs patients and their children for medicines, hostel accommodation, etc. |
