NIRMALA SOCIAL INSTITUTE

The survey and its analysis brought out the backwardness of the diocesan people in education, employment/job, social integration, politics, infrastructural facilities etc., etc. A major finding was the backwardness of women in all aspects of development. Further, they were very much insecure in the community, thrown back in marriage market. This was the situation of over 60% of the population of the Diocese. Even though men were also very backward in education they were employed in the fields of agriculture, construction, estate and sundry cooly.

A series of discussions were held within the diocese and consultations made with MISEREOR Germany, Indo German Social Service Society, New Delhi, the counterpart of Misereor in India and Indian Social Institute New Delhi. Finally, the Society came out with a Package Development Programme, with priority concern for women and girls. Further, skills training to youth, self employment programmes, promotion of Cooperative Societies etc. were also designed and implemented as a shift in development approach in the place of charity and welfare. The main Institutional Programmes under the Package Development Programmes were

• Weaving Centres at Vanavathukkara, Thiruvalla and Poovam for women and girls
• Nirmala Social Institute for Tailoring and Garment Making, Kanjikuzhy for girls
• Amalanilayam Fibre Centre, Keezhukunnu for girls
• Revival of St.Joseph’s ITC for boys
• Mini Industrial Estate Idukki for girls

NIRMALA SOCIAL INSTITUTE KANJIKUZHY

Nirmala Social institute Kanjikuzhy itself was designed as a package programme. NSI was a central advanced training centre with satellite centres as Paripalana Training Centre, Vanavathukkara, Regina Mundi Tailoring Institute Thiruvalla, Amalambika Social Centre Thekkady, Sacred Heart Tailoring Centre Pambanar, St.Pauls Tailoring Centre, Vettimukal, Holy cross Tailoring Centre, Mannackanad, Sevana Sadanam Andoor. These satellite centres would give preliminary training and employment. NSI would give advanced residential training and employment, especially for girls from remote areas of the diocese.

Tailoring and Garment making is a skill that could easily be acquired by a determined, and proactive person with certain amount of creativity. This is an exciting and fascinating career that could be taken up as a rewarding job in the future. The girls in the centre were introduced to the techniques to get new, fresh and original design ideas, sketching, pattern making, garment construction, draping, and embroidery.

BACKGROUND HISTORY OF NSI

Negotiations were made with Catholic Trust and they allotted a property to set up a Building proposed in the Package Development Programme. A building was constructed with provision for accommodation of trainee girls, working area, accommodation for the management. The Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of St.Theresa (CSST) were running a centre giving training to girls in Tailoring and garment making at Santhipuram Convent. As part of the discussion on package development programme, negotiations were made with the sisters to take over the management of Nirmala Social Institute. Accordingly, the centre at Santhipuram was closed and the sisters took charge of the Institute in the year 1976.

Girls from Kumily, Vandiperiyar, Pambanar, Elappara and other remote places were accommodated in the centre and trained in Tailoring and Garment Making, embroidery and bouquet making. Gradually the number increased up to 75 girls. Therefore, an extension to the building was constructed in 1986 with the support of MISEREOR.

As a unit of Vijayapuram Social Service Society, the accounts of the centre were audited by VSSS and external Auditors. The accounts were incorporated into the Statements of Accounts of the Society. The trainee girls were very active in celebrations held by VSSS as in May Day, Onam, and Christmas. The Management was very active for the Unit Managers’ Meeting held every quarter.

We are proud that in the history of more than 45 years the institute holds the reputation of delivering multi-disciplinary life skill training, besides tailoring and garment making..