about vsss
ORIGIN
Vellore Social Service Society an official social work organization of Catholic Diocese of Vellore is registered on 27th October 1971.
VISION
This society is committed to Integral Human Development of under privileged, oppressed, downtrodden and vulnerable groups and to work for them based on the Gospel values of Peace, Love, Unity, Justice and Liberation.
MISSION
Vellore Social Service Society actively supports and works towards a just Society, targeting life in fullness to everyone. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10) Nobody should be deprived of anything particularly of their basic needs and rights. The concern of VSSS is to facilitate the Dalits, Women and Children to have their life in fullness. VSSS is ever focused to empower and enhance the under privileged, ensure the status living of the downtrodden by improving their socio- economic condition. The mission of VSSS is institutionalized by creating awareness, organizing animation programme, income generating programme, skill based training, providing financial assistance to support the marginalized sector to avail education and employment.
AREA PROFILE
| Total Population | : | 64,01,206 |
| Area | : | 12,268 sq.kms |
| Total Catholic Population | : | 1,46,000 |
ACTIVITIES
The VSSS in its long run has crossed many milestones and achieved remarkable success in its various activities and self approach methods to achieve social transformation.
Women Empowerment
Women are in high consideration and various empowerment programme targets to enlighten, enrich, educate and encourage the women folk to achieve gender equality and improve their socio-economic status through self-help groups, micro credit and income generation programme. Women were encouraged to take up lead roles, participate in politics, become representatives in the constitutional system and authoritatively demand their say in the patriarchal society.
Awareness Programme
Various Socio- Economic, educational, health and legal awareness programmes are being organized to various groups.
Children enhancement Programme
VSSS constantly works to eradicate the child labour and gives awareness on education of children, encourages and supports them to peruse higher studies and also offer non-formal education to children.
Agricultural Development
VSSS supports the farmers through various programmes by distribution of seeds, pesticides and sprayer machines and in addition an alternative employment opportunity is provided by supplying Milch Animals, Goat and Sheep rearing to the agricultural labours. VSSS also organizes the training programme to promote organic farming.
Constructions
Houses equipped with proper sanitary facility were donated to the houseless poor, the economically weaker section and leper families. Community halls, school buildings, drinking water tanks, installation of bore-wells, are constructed to promote human dignity.
Youth Empowerment Programme
Capacity building, Life skill management, Employability skills, Leadership and Personality Development Programme and coaching classes for the entrance examination for various professional courses were also conducted.
Health Education Programme
VSSS supports the Diocesan health centres for the smooth running. Through our women association, health camps were conducted in various rural and slum centres. AIDS / HIV / Health camps were conducted to the affected people by networking with other NGOs.
Educational Scholarship
Scholarships were given for the poor students to continue their education. Every year VSSS collaborate with Diocese and TNBC / SC / ST commission in giving scholarships to our diocesan students. Every year nearly 350 students benefited.
Relief and Rehabilitation
During drought, flood, calamities and Fire VSSS renders the supportive hand for relief and rehabilitation. VSSS is also keenly concerned in promoting support measures for the refugees.
Collaboration with other Commissions
Vellore Social Service Society collaborates with other diocesan commissions such as Laity Commission, Labor Commission, Women Commission, SC/ST Commission, Peace & Justice Commission, Legal Cell, Family Commission and Jail Ministry and supports them in all possible means. Along with various other service schemes and networking projects marriage information centre is also functioning in VSSS.
Socio-Pastoral Training
- Catechism / Bible Classes for children and Youth.
- Matrimonial counseling / marriage preparation.
- Youth fellowship / promotion of Christian faith.
- Kolping Programme for Faithfull leadership.
Future Plan
The long term objective of VSSS is to establish people’s movement to act as powerful tool to eradicate the social evils and establish a just society. In order to achieve this goal VSSS has the future plan which could be executed, effectively with your co-operation.
Programme Executor
Fr. A. R. Antony Samy, the Director of VSSS, is a young energetic person. He is very much interested and engaged himself in the faith formation of the young seminarians. He has the pastoral experience both in India and in Germany. He was in Germany from 2001 to 2008 for his Doctoral Studies as well as for the Pastoral Ministry.
Socio Pastoral
- Promote Christian faith among the oppressed, underprivileged, downtrodden people belong to Christianity.
- To encourage inter religious dialogue between Christians and other community.
- Strengthening Kolping spiritual activities.
AN APPEAL
Since 1971, VSSS has been working with the Indigent Dalit communities in Vellore region to thrive for their empowerment. Though it has been organizing the Dalit people in their development initiatives, still it has to travel a distance to reach and realize the vision with the new strategies and partnerships. With the views and aspirations of the target people, this appeal has been formulated to seek financial supports from Donor to further extend its generous supports for the development of the Dalits in Vellore Diocese to lead a sustained and secured life with dignity, value and equity.
Board Executive Members from 1952
| S. No | Name | Designation | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Most Rev. Paul Mariaselvam | Bishop of Vellore | President | 1953 – 1954 |
| 2. | Most Rev. David Maria Nayagam | Bishop of Vellore | President | 1956 – 1969 |
| 3. | Most Rev. R. Anthony Muthu | Bishop of Vellore | President | 1971 – 1980 |
| 4. | Most Rev. S. Michael Augustine | Bishop of Vellore | President | 1981 – 1992 |
| 5. | Most .Rev. A.M. Chinnappa | Bishop of Vellore | President | 1994 – 2005 |
| 4. | Most. Rev. Dr. P. Soundraraju | Bishop of Vellore | President | 2006 till date |
| 5. | V. Rev. Fr. S. Lazar | Vicar General | Vice president | 1971 – 1975 |
| 6. | V. Rev. Fr. S. T. Ignatius | Vicar General | Vice president | 1975 – 1982 |
| 7. | V. Rev. Fr. A. Nambikai Raj | Vicar General | Vice president | 1982 – 1997 |
| 8. | V. Rev. Fr. L. Thomas Aquinas | Vicar General | Vice president | 1997 – 2002 |
| 9. | V.Rev.Fr. A. Stephen | Vicar General | Vice president | 2002 – 2004 |
| 10. | V. Rev. Fr. M. Joe Lourduswamy | Vicar General | Vice president | 2004 – 2012 |
| 11. | V. Rev. Fr. I. John Robert | Vicar General | Vice President | 2012 till date |
| 12. | Rev. Fr. K. C. Mathew | Director | Secretary | 1952 – 1980 |
| 13. | Rev. Fr. M. Arockiasamy | Director | Secretary | 1980 – 1988 |
| 14. | Rev. Fr. A. J. Maria Susai | Director | Secretary | 1988 – 1993 |
| 15. | Rev. Fr. S. Lazar Savarimuthu | Director | Secretary | 1993 – 1997 |
| 16. | Rev. Fr. M. Martin | Director | Secretary | 1997 – 2004 |
| 17. | Rev. Fr. S. Lourdu Samy | Director | Secretary | 2004 – 2011 |
| 18. | Rev. Fr. A. R. Antony Samy | Director | Secretary | 2011till date |
Present Operational responsibilities
The Organization headed by the President (Bishop), Bishop of Vellore.
| President | : | Most. Rev. Dr. P. Soundararaju, SDB |
| Vice President | : | Rev. Fr. I. John Robert |
| Secretary cum Director | : | Rev. Fr. A. R. Antony Samy |
| Project Manager | : | Mr. A. Patrick |
History of Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam
Since 1971, VSSS has been working with the indigent Dalit communities and the marginalized sector. It has stride in leaping a step forward to organize the Dalit people but it has to travel a distance to reach and realize the vision with the new strategies and partnership. The assessment done during the period from June 2011 to March 2014 has paved a way for taking up new dynamics to promote self support and sustenance.
During the CBCI Meeting few bishops from different parts of India, requested the bishop of Vellore to give accommodation for those who undergo treatment in South Asian renowned Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital in Vellore. In response to which his Excellency, the Bishop suggested the construction of the Medical Ministry centre which would simultaneously provide a source of assertive income to support the sustenance of the organization. His Excellency, the Bishop provided the land for the construction of Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam. The construction of Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam was made possible partially with the financial assistance of Kolping National Office, Local Resource and the encouraging support from the Bishop.
Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam provided with well equipped and comfortable 14 rooms providing accommodation for those who undergo treatment in CMC Hospital as out patients for long term and for the in patient’s attendees.
Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam also serves as multi- propose community centre. It is inbuilt with two spacious halls for the purpose of conducting training programmes, seminars, meetings and retreats.
Nominal rent will be collected for maintenance and sustenance development of organization.
Location of Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam
Makkal Nalvazhvu Mayyam is situated in Sathuvachary town at Vellore City. It is 2 kms far from CMC Hospital, 3 kms from City bus stand and 7 kms from Katpadi Railway Station.
Frequent Town Buses, Call Taxi and Autos are available to reach the centre.
It is located in Bangalore-Chennai high road behind St. Joseph’s Church and adjoining Holy Cross Matriculation School.