GOOD SAMARITAN CENTRE, CHERPUNKAL
Good Samaritan Resource Centre is an Ability
Development Resource Centre administered by Kottayam Social Service
Society of the Archeparchy of Kottayam. It functions as the State
Learning Centre for the Rehabilitation of Deafblind Persons with
disabilities in general. Its services focus on the integral development
of persons with disabilities so that they enjoy a life of dignity in
society. The centre also serves as vocation training center for youth
who get employment after their training.
Fr. Abraham Mutholath and Kottayam Social Service
Society (KSSS) developed this program. Fr. Abraham Mutholath donated the
land for the project in memory of his parents M.C. Chacko and Achamma
Mutholath. Fr. Mutholath also donated half of the construction cost of
the building through Agape Movement.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Fountation Stone Laying Ceremony and meeting for Samaritan Center on August 15, 2010.
Photos of Blessing and
Inauguration of Good Samaritan Centre, Cherpunkal on August 21, 2011.
Videos of Samaritan Center inauguration at Cherpunkal on August 21, 2011.
Three Parts.
KVTV " കരുണാർദ്ര മിഴികളിൽ " Fr. Abraham mutholath Documentary 2018 Intro.
KVTV " കരുണാർദ്ര മിഴികളിൽ " Fr. Abraham mutholath Documentary 2018
HISTORY
Fr. Abraham Mutholath made a proposal to His Grace
Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the Metropolitan of the Archeparchy of Kottayam
that he is willing to donate 1.62 acres of land at the Highway roadside
in Cherpunkal that he had inherited from his parents for social service
of the Archdiocese of Kottayam through Kottayam Social Service Society
(KSSS). The estimated land value of this plot at that time was five core
rupees.
Fr. Mutholath, who was director of KSSS, realized
the need for a resource center for Kottayam Social Service Society for
its developmental projects including self-help groups for women, for the
physically and mentally challenged, and for taking care of the other
less fortunate in the community. He also offered one core rupees from
his personal earnings in the USA in installments for the initial
expenses to build up the institution.
Fr. Mutholath proposed name for the institution as
“Samaritan Resource Centre.” His suggestion was to complete the
construction within one year so that it could be inaugurated in August
2011 as a souvenir of the centenary celebrations of the Archdiocese of
Kottayam. That goal was accomplished as planned.
The foundation stone for the Good Samaritan Centre
was laid on August 15, 2010 by Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of the St.
Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Archbishop of Kottayam
Mar Mathew Moolakkatt presided over the meeting that followed. Mr. K.M.
Mani MLA inaugurated the meeting. Mons Joseph MLA, Thomas Chazhikadan
MLA, and Mrs. Theresamma Cherian, president of the Kidangoor Panchayath
spoke on the occasion.
The building construction of the Good Samaritan
Centre was completed within one year. Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt
blessed the institution on August 21, 2011. Fr. Abraham Mutholath, the
Vicar General of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
dedicated this building as memorial of the centenary celebration of the
Archdiocese of Kottayam. Mr. K.M. Mani, the Finance Minister of Kerala
inaugurated the meeting that was presided by Archbishop Mar Mathew
Moolakkatt. Revenue Minister of Kerala Mr. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan
inaugurated the Samaritan projects. Bishops Mar Jacob Angadiath, Mar
George Palliparambil, Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, Jose K. Mani MP, Mons
Joseph MLA and other dignitaries spoke on the occasion.
DEAFBLIND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Fr. Michael Vettikkatt, the director of KSSS
developed a program in collaboration with Sense International India and
supported by DFID – Global Poverty Action Fund, UK in 2011 for the
training of Deafblind persons in the society and make Good Samaritan
Centre as a resource and state level training centre for the Deafblind.
Their goal was to create an understanding of deafblindness as a ‘unique’
disability and to provide services to Deafblind children and adults, so
that their rights of equal opportunity and full participation is
achieved.
Deafblindness is a unique disability, it is a
combination of visual and hearing impairments in an individual which
brings severe complex problems of communication, accessing information
and mobility. In addition to this, the social stigma attached to
disability and poverty further marginalizes such people leading them to
isolation and dependency.
Rehabilitation of Deafblind persons through
Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a strategy within the community
development for the rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, and
social integration of all persons with deafblindness. CBR follows a
comprehensive approach to the problems of the persons with
Deafblindness. It involves rehabilitating the person in his or her own
family and community with the cooperation of the family members,
community, and use of various resources available within and outside the
community. We train the Deafblind person to live by themselves and to
work according to their abilities so that they become contributing
members in the family and in the society.
Good Samaritan Centre which functions as the State
Learning Centre for Deafblindness, with support of Sense International
(India), works towards developing services for deafblind people all over
Kerala. KSSS gives technical support to other organizations working in
single disability for initiating services in deafblindness. Our aim as a
Regional Learning Centre on Deafblindness is to create an inclusive
environment for deafblind people in society and ensure quality living
for them.
TRAINING FOR DEAFBLIND AT GOOD SAMARITAN CENTRE
1. DAILY LIVING: Specialized trainings are given
for developing life skills including feeding, dressing, toileting,
independent living.
2. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: We teach the deafblind to
communicate through turn taking, choices, routines, exploring together
and play. Ability to communicate in a meaningful way is developed
through Communication Systems like object symbols, picture symbols, sign
language, Pre-braille and Braille writing, large print writing and
reading, and ready lip reading.
3. ORIENTATION: Orientation training is imparted to
have awareness about their surroundings and to understand his
environment.
4. MOBILITY: This training is for better
functioning of their limbs.
5. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS: Professionally
trained Physiotherapist, Speech therapist and Occupational therapists
are rendering services in the Resource Centre with various modem
therapeutic equipment.
6. SENSORY ROOM: The centre is well-equipped with a
Sensory Room to provide to stimulate the senses of vision, hearing,
touch, smell and taste for better functioning
7. ALTERNATE THERAPY: Alternate therapies like
Hydrotherapy, Sand therapy, Music Therapy, and Yoga are rendered in the
centre.
8. SENSORY PARK: The centre has a Sensory Park
designed for deafblind and multisensory impaired children to learn with
fun and play. Sensory Park have water pool, sand pool, fun games,
mobility training facilities and sensory plants. Sensory plants help
them to learn the nature around them with touch, smell, and taste.
COMPONENTS OF CBR DEAFBLIINDNESS PROGRAMME
1. SENSITIZATION PROGRAM: Lack of proper awareness
and superstitious beliefs keep the deafblind persons away from
mainstream society. So, Participation of family and community is
essential for the success of this programme. The participation of the
community is possible only through Community Awareness. It will help to
change the attitude of the community.
2. EARLY ASSESSMENT: KSSS regularly conducts
Assessment Camps by ophthalmologist and audiologist to identify the
deafblind persons. Reassessment camps are also conducted for the persons
to know their existing status and improvement level.
3. EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES: Early Screening and
Intervention Services are provided with collaboration of hospitals and
facility of Oto acoustic Emission machine (O.A.E) for the screening of
newborn babies at Caritas Hospital, Thellakom. This helps early
identification of problems with the collaboration of hospitals and ICDS.
4. HOME-BASED TRAINING: Besides the centre-based
training, KSSS also provides home-based training to the deafblind
children with the support of trained field workers and special educators
in the presence of family members.
5. HOME-BASED VOCATIONAL TRAINING: This training is
provided to all children above 10 years with the support of parents to
make deafblind persons self-reliant. t at home. This involves training
like mat making, paper-bag making, handicraft making, and broom-making.
6. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: Integrating deafblind
children along with normal children in the village schools under SSA.
Deafblind children who are self-dependent are brought to normal schools
and are given special training in classes set apart for them.
7. MEDICAL CAMPS: Regular medical camp is an
inevitable part of the programme. Every three months, KSSS conducts
medical camps with services of a Neurologist, Physiotherapist, and
Speech Therapist. This is to assess Deafblind persons’ improvement
status and next area of intervention.
8. SURGERY AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES: As part of the
programme, the centre provides surgery expenses and assistive devices
such as Hearing Aids, CP Chair, Caliper Shoe, Spectacles and
Physiotherapy equipment.
9. SELF-HELP GROUPS: As an integral part of the
Rehabilitation Programme the deafblind persons are included in the
self-help groups (SHG) of the CBR program. Through SHGs, they share the
problems and find solutions and work as a team. In the SHGs they deposit
their savings and get credit for fulfilling their needs.
10. CASE REVIEW COMMITTEE (CRC): The project team
has a Case Review Committee to assess the activities and to ensure
perfect implementation of the programme at the grassroot level. The
Committee includes project implementation team and experts. The
Committee meets every Wednesday and evaluates the activities of the past
days and works out action plan for the coming days. The weekly CRC helps
workers to share their problems faced and to resolve through team input.
11. INCOME GENERATION PROGRAM: Rehabilitation will
be complete only when the Deafblind person starts to lead an independent
life as an earning member in society. For this, KSSS facilitates Income
Generation Programs (IGP) for the deafblind persons with the support of
their family members.
12. COUNSELLING SERVICES: Centre-based and Barefoot
Counseling is provided to deafblind persons as well as their family
members for better rehabilitation.
13. PARENTS’ NETWORKING: Parents' participation
play a vital role in the rehabilitation of deafblind persons. Therefore,
a strong and vibrant Parents’ Network has been formed and they meet
every month.
14. EXPOSURE VISITS: Deafblind persons are taken
annually to various places for exposure as it helps for mental
relaxation, social interaction, and education.
15. IMMUNIZATION: Constant awareness dissemination
is given so that people are motivated to ensure immunization of their
children below the age of five. Through house visits and awareness
through SHGs, people are made aware of the need and importance of
vaccination.
16. MOTHER AND CHILD-HEALTH PROGRAMS: Education on
care and precaution during pregnancy are given to all women through this
programme. Mothers are made aware of the milestones to be achieved by
children and precaution to be taken to minimize chances of
deafblindness.
17. ADVOCACY & LOBBYING: Every year State Level
Advocacy meetings are conducted to formulate new policies and advocate
for the rights of the Deafblind people. Representatives from disability
sector, social workers, and government officials participate in the
meetings.
DDU-GKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya – Grameen Kaushalya
Yojana)
Under the leadership of Fr. Sunil Perumanoor, KSSS
started DDU-GKY program at Good Samaritan Centre sanctioned by The
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. DDU-GKY program is a
skill development initiative by the government of India with the
objective of providing skill training and ensure job placement to the
rural population in the age group of 18-45 years.
Under this project training is given in the domains
of Salesperson (retail), Accounts Assistant using Tally, DTP Print and
Publishing Assistant, Food and Beverages Service Steward, and Industrial
Sewing machine operator to the selected 470 candidates from the rural
areas of Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The
duration of each course is three months, and the total project period is
three years.
DDU-GKY is both residential and nonresidential.
Classrooms and practical labs are made available according to the
standards set up by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of
India. This project helps to provide better employment opportunities to
the rural youth from the above stated districts.
After interior modifications in the building, the
project started in June 2018 with 60 students in the domain trades of
accounts assistant using Tally (30) and salesperson retail (30).
For the efficient functioning of this project Good
Samaritan Centre is equipped with the following:
IT lab with 30 computers with domain supporting
software.
Three classrooms are ready with furniture, CCTV
cameras, LCD projector screens, and domain related equipment.
Well-furnished office with reception.
Rooms in the centre for the accommodation of female
candidates.
One portion of Agape Center is converted for the
accommodation of 20 male students.
CCTV cameras in the entire academic area of the
Samaritan centre.
TIMELINE OF GOOD SAMARITAN CENTRE
2010: Fr. Abraham Mutholath made the proposal to
KSSS and its patron Mar Mathew Moolakkatt to donate 1.62 acres of land
at Cherpunkal Highway roadside for the construction of Good Samaritan
Centre.
2010 August 15: Foundation stone for Good Samaritan
Centre, Cherpunkal laid by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath followed by
meeting presided by K.M. Mani MLA and inaugurated by Archbishop Mar
Mathew Moolakkatt.
2011 August 21: Blessing and inauguration of Good
Samaritan Centre, Cherpunkal by K.M. Mani, Finance Minister of Kerala
and presided by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt.
2011: Project development for Deafblind by Fr.
Michael Vettikkatt, director of KSSS, in collaboration with Sense
International India and supported by DFID – Global Poverty Action Fund,
UK.
2018 June: Fr. Sunil Perumanoor, the director of
KSSS, started DDU-GKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya – Grameen Kaushalya Yojana)
at the Good Samaritan Centre that provides job training in various
fields for youth from the rural areas of Kottayam, Idukki,
Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts.
