The three day State Level Exposure Visit Cum Project Formulation Workshop under EZHVOM IYAKKAM – Cancer Care Campaign organised at Ooty, inaugurated by His Excellency Most. Rev. Dr. A. Amalraj, Bishop of Ootacamund on September 1, 2021. In his inaugural address, Bishop appreciated the efforts of all the 27  Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSSs).  He quoted  Jesus Christ who performed the healing service wherever he went and said following his footpath, Caritas also works for physical, psychological, and spiritual healing of the people affected by the deadly cancer disease. It is our responsibility to heal the people who are in need to be protected from such chronic diseases. He also said that not all will get a chance to help others and it is a blessing for the participants to get this opportunity. There were 52 participants including 26 volunteers.

Fr. Solomon, Executive Director of Udhagamandalam Social Service Society (USSS), the host organisation appreciated the efforts of Dr. John Arokiaraj, Manager, Caritas India for leading the Cancer Care Campaign and bringing to limelight the activities and achievements of 27 DSSSs of Tamil Nadu through closer accompaniment and proper documentation. He said the workshop will lead to more collaborative and sustaining efforts.

In his introduction, Dr. John Arokiaraj detailed the objectives of the workshop as; exposure to sustainable development programmes, evaluate achievements, gaps, challenges and limitations and accordingly strategize the next one-year sustainability plan. He emphasized the approaches of Caritas India based on the four strategic pillars, theory of change, model creation, leadership in governance mechanism, etc., The mandate of Caritas is realized through addressing larger societal problems by the DSSS partners.  The target details, key interventions planned collectively by the DSSSs, reach of the programme in the DSSSs working area within a short span, capacitation of stakeholders, awareness generation and uniqueness of each DSSS in their implementation and achievements, linkages and networks established, resource mobilisation were some of the major points highlighted by him.

Ms. Suprabha, Project Officer, USSS explained how the technical and professional guidance of Caritas India during the implementation of the Caritas projects in Talavadi Block enabled USSS to promote Farmer Producer Companies (FPC) through NABARD. She was joined by Mr. Joseph, CEO of Talavadi FPC and Board of Directors Mr. Kalasamy and Mr. Seemaiya who shared their experiences to enlighten the participants to initiate such models in their operational areas. They elaborated on the trainings, value-added programmes, government linkages, seed banking system, organic farming, business and promotion activities, the contribution of NABARD and NABKISAN for the project, challenges faced by the Company and farmer clubs. They described the sustainable development activities of the three producers’ companies namely Sholada, Manvayal and Talavadi. Sholada Model has emerged as a self-sufficient model due to the collaboration and networking activities of USSS with various government agencies but the other two projects need institutional support from USSS and other stakeholders for their sustenance.

It was highlighted that 95% of land alienation stopped and farmers started cultivating in their land, fertility of the soil improved through organic manure application, 75 acres of an organic way of cultivation has increased to  5000 acres over 10 years. “We have brought back our villages to their original conditions that were existing 25 years back,” says Mr.Joseph. Changed the cultivation pattern from maize to minor millets and more vegetables. We have enhanced our knowledge on water and soil resource management, they said. Enthusiastic participants dialogued on strengthening farmer producer organization through FIGs, differences and formation of producer organization and producer company, statutes and compliance to be adhered to with regard to the company, difficulties and challenges in the registration of formation of FPC, credibility and need of second-line leaders for sustainability, business plan, marketing feasibility and growth of the company, importance of good food campaign, sustainable agricultural practices, promotion of plastic-free environment, etc.,

The DSSS coordinators shared briefly their major achievements in line with resource mobilization strategy, networking and linkages and volunteers contribution. It was clarified that resource mobilization is not only mobilizing funds but also utilizing voluntary services, managing human and natural resources and so on. It was also informed that as COVID first wave response, all DSSSs collectively reached out to 5,39, 632 families, 22,592 migrant workers, mobilized Rs. 5.73 crore as COVID contribution. The volunteers ascertained that providing service during a disaster is the duty of humanitarian organizations and getting help is the right of the affected people.

It was an enriching experience to the members to discuss in the groups on various areas like Networking, Integration, Linkages, Community Mobilization, Formation of Committees, Sensitization campaigns, Land and water management, Good food campaign, Counselling, Palliative care, Seeds distribution, Volunteer management, Referrals, Documentation and Vaccination drive. It was unanimously decided that all the DSSSs will maintain a separate bank account for Ezhuvom Iyakkam funds mobilised.

Continued Learning, understanding the local context, multiplier effect, guidance for and from volunteers are found to be important to implement the campaign programme effectively. Continued with identification of target population, profiling of volunteers and allocating responsibilities based on expertise, skills, interest and availability will be taken care of by core committee formed in the DSSSs. While sharing their experiences, volunteers said that they need to play a proactive role as leaders imbibing the qualities as enablers, motivators, caretakers, contributors, monitors and advocates and should be compassionate focused on problem-solving.

It was decided to continue the first phase activities like DSSSS level program launch, orientation on cancer care, training for selected volunteers, mass campaign, awareness to school children,  cancer screening camps, quarterly coordination meeting and interface meetings. In the new normal, all the activities will be done following COVID 19 protocols. Participants who evaluated the workshop using KoBo  Collect APP  desired to have in-depth training on the tool and Mr. Raj Bharat from MSSS has volunteered to train them using the Caritas India MS Team platform.

Major components to be included in the continuation phase are identifying the vulnerable population, aligning overall action plans with other thematic areas, rights of a marginalized community, dialogue with duty bearers and like-minded organizations, strengthening health infrastructure meaning sensitizing the community for their health rights and bring about changes in the life style and food style of the people, common format to ensure uniformity in the reporting and volunteer engagement plan.

During the feedback session, Mr.Jeffrey from KMSSS said “What we learnt, should be implemented in the field. I should be able to do better in future. Learnt a lot and will be able to take back inputs to sensitise more people.”  Fr. Solomon while appreciating all the participants said that it is real participation and everyone spoke from within which proves that they are doing a lot of activities at the grassroots level and wished them to continue with the same zeal.