The department of Social Work, NASC honoured by Assisi Snehalaya Charitable Trust (Care and Support Centre for HIV/AIDS) Thirumalayampalayam, Coimbatore on World Aids day 01.12.2020 for the service provided by the students of our department. Dr.B.Anirudhan, Principal, NASC received the award from Chief Guest Mr.P. Anbarasan, Chairman, Nallaram Trust and Rev.Fr. Bonaventure, OFM Conv.,Minister Provincial. Dr.Thanuja Thomas, Head, Social work department was attended the function.
The PG and Research Department of Social Work organised a National Webinar on “Mental Health Issues & Wellbeing” on 10th October 2020 in connection with World Mental Health Day. Dr. Thanuja Thomas, Head of the Department welcomed the participants and the Chief Guest Dr. A Thirumoorthy, Professor, Dept of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore was introduced. The technical session followed thereafter on the topic Mental Health Issues & Wellbeing an understanding of the Mental health issues, methods of intervention. There were about 156 participants from all over India and abroad.
Outcome of the Event
Participants learnt about the need of turning our attention and importance to mental health and learning more intervention methods in dealing with issues in mental health.
PG and Research Department of Social Work observed International Social Work Day on March 17th 2020. As a part of the celebration an exhibition on Social Work Day 2020 Theme – Importance of Human Relationship was conducted in A Block Lobby which was inaugurated by our Honourable Principal Dr. B. Anirudhan. Dr. Thanuja Thomas, Head of the department along with other faculties and students of the department participated in the program. Students and faculties from various departments visited the exhibition and gained knowledge on the importance of the day and it’s theme. As a part of the celebration, a workshop and a Social work institution honouring ceremony was scheduled however the grand events are being postponed due to COVID-19 situation.
PG and Research Department of Social Work has conducted an Alumni Guest Lecture program on January 27, 2020 at 10:30am in college premises. An alumni, Rev. Fr. Sumith, 2015-2017 batch student addressed the gathering on the topic “Scope of Social work Research”. He is a Ph.D research scholar in Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, University in Leuven, Belgium. He spoke about various opportunities for social work students in foreign universities to do their higher studies and about the UN funded projects. Dr. Thanuja Thomas presided over the program and Sanjay Sajith, II MSW offered vote of thanks. I and II MSW students got benefited from the program.
INTRODUCTION
Rural camp is one among the mandatory things during the course of MSW. As a part of it the students of PG & Research department of Social Work, Nehru Arts and Science College got an opportunity to conduct the rural/tribal camp DEEKSHA T20 in Managuwayal, Meenangadi, Wayanadu in association with Shreyas Social Service Society, Sulthan Bathery from January 10, 2020 to January 15, 2020. The six days of the camp was really memorable and was a keen opportunity for us to experience the life style of tribal peoples and their culture and to know about their problems
Shreyas Social Service Society was founded in the year 1979, dedicated to the development and the empowerment of the marginalised, irrespective of their religion, gender, colour and political affiliation. Since its inception Shreyas is engaged in building up a new social order with gender and environmental sensitivity based on moral values and principles.
10/01/2020, Friday
The PG & Research Department of Social Work conducted the Rural & Tribal camp, DEEKSHA-T20 at Mananguwayal, Wayanadu in association with Shreyas Social Service Society. A group of 23 students of I MSW accompanied by Dr .Thanuja Thomas, Head of the Department and Mr.Joel Kennedy, Asst. Professor started the journey from Coimbatore on 10/01/2020 by 3pm in the evening and reached Bethany Ashram, Sultan Bathery at 12 midnight where the accommodation was arranged.
DAY-1 – 11/01/2020, Saturday
On the first day of Deeksha T20, the inauguration program was conducted at 10:00am in Managuwayal Anganvadi premises. The program started with a prayer, led by Mrs Sanitha, I MSW. Ms. Deepthi Sabu, I MSW welcomed the gathering and Mrs Shobana, Ward member, Meenangadi Panchayat was present as the chief guest and she inaugurated the camp by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Dr. Thanuja Thomas, HoD, MSW gave a brief introduction and idea about the course and objectives of the camp. Mr George, Unit President, Sreyas Social Service Society and Mrs Molly Jacob, Field worker the falicitated the gathering. Mr Aravind M Chandran, I MSW offered the vote of thanks. The Master of Ceremony for the program was Ms. Christy Johnson, I MSW. Tea and snacks was arranged for the participants. There were about 70 participants in the inaugural program. After the inauguration, a general need based survey was conducted in the ‘4 cent colony’ and adjacent ‘Kurumba Colony’. It was a good opportunity for the students to interact with local people and learn about their needs and their life style Students were divided into 11 groups and the survey was conducted.
As a part of eco study, a visit to Muthanga forest was carried out at 5:00 pm. At 7.30 pm evaluation of daily activities was conducted by Dr, Thanuja Thomas and Mr. Joel Kennedy.
DAY-2 – 12-01-2020, Sunday
Second day of the camp started with a General Health Check-up in collaboration with Meera IQRAA Hospital, Sulthan Bathery. Camp started at 10am with General Medicine and Ophthalmology specializations. A general blood test was conducted for all the participants followed by doctor’s consultation. There were about 110 registrations in the general medicine and more than 50 registrations in the eye check-up camp. The medical team included Doctors, Nurses and lab technicians, optometrist and technicians accompanied by Mr. Jamsheed, Manager of Sulthan Bathery hospital facility. By 3pm the medical camp was successfully completed. After the medical camp a cultural meet was arranged for the community people with their full cooperation and participation. By 8pm evaluation of daily activities was conducted by Dr, Thanuja Thomas and Mr. Joel Kennedy in Bethany Ashram.
DAY 3 – 13/01/2020, Monday
Third day of DEEKSHA-T20 started with the health awareness classes conducted for the members of two Ayalkoottam units, Mispa and Malarvadi in Arattupara. I MSW students took classes on various life style diseases. The session was interactive and informative. There were about 25 participants in the class.
Meanwhile the MSW students were also engaged in interactive session with the children of the Arattupara Anganavadi. They taught few rhymes and action songs to children. There were about 13 children who got benefitted from the session. A Theme dance and a street play was conducted for the general public in the Arattupara Anganavadi premises after the awareness classes. People from nearby houses gathered in the anganvadi to witness the play and the theme dance on family issues and unity. About 50 spectators were there to witness the program.
A session on Disaster Management was organized at 3pm for the general public in Managuwayal in collaboration with Sultan Bathery Fire Station. The Fire and Rescue officers, Mr Prabhakaran, Mr Martin and Mr Basil from were the resource persons. They took classes on the basic information about the rescue operations with demonstration and gave various idea on managing a crisis situation. Formerly the session started with a silent prayer, Ms Azhagu Oviya, I MSW welcomed the gathering and Mr Dilshad S A, I MSW offered vote of thanks. There were about 50 participants for the session.
At 5:30 pm I MSW students performed a flash mob, a street play on family issues and a theme dance on Unity in Private Bus Stand Sultan Bathery. There were more than 500 spectators from different parts of Wayanad witnessing the performance.
Fourth day of DEEKSHA- T20 started with a career guidance and awareness program in Alphonsa College of Arts and Science, Bathery at 10:00 am. Prof A V Thariyathu, Principal welcomed the gathering and Dr. Thanuja Thomas, HoD MSW gave chief guest address explaining about the course, its components and objectives of the rural camp. I MSW students performed a flash mob, a street play on family issues and a theme dance on unity. There were more than 750 students of Alphonsa College gathered to witness the program.
At 11:30 an interactive session was conducted in Government UP school, Karachal. I MSW students were divided into 6 groups and they involved in group discussions for 5th, 6th and 7th std students on various topics including Child abuse, sexual abuse, disaster management, importance of education etc. After the interactive session the I MSW students performed theme Dance and street play in the school permises. About 250 students benefitted from the program.
At 5pm in the evening, Valedictory function of DEEKSHA-T20, was conducted in Mananguwayal Anganavadi. The function started with a prayer led by Mrs Sanitha, I MSW. Ms. Suma S, I MSW welcomed the gathering. Ms. Shima O R, Student camp coordinator presented the camp report. Mr. George, Unit President, Shreyas Social Service Society delivered the presidential address. Ward Member, Meenangadi Panchayat, Mrs Shobana gave the valedictory address. Mrs. Molly Jacob, local co-ordinator gave a special address. Dr Thanuja Thomas, HoD MSW presented memento to all the dignitaries as a token of thanks from DEEKSHA-T20 and the community participants were rewarded for their exemplary performances. Ms Greeshma R Prasad, I MSW delivered vote of thanks. Followed by the valedictory function cultural events were organized and a camp fire was set up with the community people. There were about 500 beneficiaries of this program
On the fifth day of DEEKSHA-T20 students and faculty visited Shreyas Social Service Society (NGO) for orientation at 10:00am. Mr Gili George, gave a brief description about the NGO and their activities. Mr. Joel Kennedy, Asst Prof presented a memento as a token of thanks to the Director, Shreyas Social Service Society. Fr. Micheal Raj, I MSW presented the vote of thanks. At 12:00 pm students started eco study and as a part of it students visited historical sites such as Jain Temple, Kanthanppara Waterfalls and Wayanad Cricket Stadium etc. Final evaluation of the camp was conducted by Dr. Thanuja Thomas, HoD, MSW and Mr. Joel Kennedy, Staff Camp coordinator. The Student Camp co-ordinator presented the expenditure of the camp.