Institution Location: Kerala

Sr.Jane Thattezhath and Sr.Sales Vadakkumchery who were transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital from Ernakulam Gen. Hospital had to stay at the Nurses’ Quarters. Since Sisters need to have a house to facilitate their spiritual life and community life, we managed to secure a rented house near the Men’s hostel of the Medical College and later we bought it as our own house, and on 15 April 1969 was blessed by Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the then Archbishop of Changanassery and now exalted as Servant of God. Since then SD Sisters have been serving in TVM Med. College Hospital/RCC, being a great help and consolation to the poor and helpless patients, who come even from very far away places. Along with the Convent we also opened a Nursery School for the poor children of the area, which is now extinct following the lock down period of COVID – 19. Together with all this we actively involve in the pastoral ministry of the Lourde Parish Church. Sr. Jane, Sr. Leonie, Sr. Bernard and Sr. Elsius were the pioneers of the Community.
Still much later, understanding the difficulties of people who come from distant places for better treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre or Sri Chithira Hospital, staying outside, we thought of making some arrangements for their accommodation, as we can do within our capacity. So we made some additions to the existing Convent building and a few rooms with 15 beds to accommodate patients under treatment and their bye standers. This is called Santhwana, which takes a nominal payment.only from the occupants. The serene atmosphere of the Convent and the low cost lodging facility in the busy metropolitan capital city is a great blessing and relief to the patients in their agony and grief. Santhwana is only a private charitable Stay – Home exclusively for the cancer patients of the common folk under treatment, who come from far off places.

Buying a small plot of land with a very old small house in it, a convent of SD was established in the Parish of St. George Church, Putenangady, Alappuzha, on 22 January 1989, as requested by the Parish, for pastoral service in the Parish and also as a residence for SD Sisters working in the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. Sr.Stany, Sr.Jositta, Sr.Angelina and Sr. Manojnja were the pioneers. In 1997 the old house was demolished and construction of a new building was started. On 5 August 2001, along with the convent Karunalaya Hospice for the abandoned terminally ill patients was opened, as a Platinum Jubilee memorial of the Congregation. The Institution admits the poor and abandoned bedridden patients from the Medical College Hospital. Other deserving applicants are also admitted. Here these unloved and uncared women are taken care of with the compassionate love of Jesus Christ enabling them to spend the rest of their life in peace and joy, making a happy journey to the Heavenly abode.

 

Serenity Home was set up on 8 February 1999 by Kanjirappally Diocese at Elikkulam, on Pala – Ponkunnam route, as a Care Centre for the terminally ill poor and abandoned patients. This Institution was entrusted to the SD St. Joseph Province on 19 September 2001, when the St. John of God Sisters who had been in charge of the Home wanted to leave. When the institution was handed over to SD there were only 8 inmates and now there are 70 patients – ladies and gents. In addition to our service in the Home for the Aged Sisters are actively involved in all pastoral activities. Sr.Leo, Sr. Pratibha, Sr. Sherin and Sr. Meera Jose were the Pioneers of the Community.

This Institution for the poor aged destitute was started on 11 December 1954 by Kottayam St. Joseph Province of the CMI Fathers at Pala, and run by the Vincent de Paul Society. It was handed over to SD St. Joseph Province, Changanassery on 26 October 1986. We started a community there and continued to run the Institution in a systematic way. Sr.Bibiyana, Sr.Catherine and Sr.Maria Kochumadam were the pioneers of the Community. This Institution admits both male and female aged destitute. Later we renovated the building with more facilities both for the Sisters and for the inmates of the Providence Home. The total accommodation capacity of the Institution is 60. Both the male and female destitute are admitted.

Immanuel Home at Mevida in Pala, is a psycho social rehabilitation center for mentally ill poor women between 18 to 35 years of age, functioning with the recognition of the Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes, Kerala, and registered as Immanuel Charitable Society for Women. The permitted capacity of accommodation is for 26 patients. At present there are 21 patients here.

 

Mercy Home, situated near Chethipuzha St. Thomas Hospital, is a Rehabilitation Home for the differently abled children, which was blessed by Mar Antony Padiyara, the Archbishop of Changanassery on 4 August 1974. Sr.Sienna, Sr.Teresita, Sr.Redempta, Sr.Daya, Sr.Lima rose and Sr. Mrudula were the pioneers of the Community. Initially both boys and girls were admitted. In the 1990’s boys were shifted to Mercy Home, Kodinattukunnu. Polio cases are rare now, but cerebral palsy cases are on the increase and they seek admission to our institution. Many such children who live neglected and desperate at home find security and happiness in Mercy Home. To minimize the disability and maximize the functional ability they are provided with corrective aids. And also surgical treatment is given in necessary cases. They are given quality education and are equipped to be self-reliant. It is a matter of joy that many children who received formation at Mercy Home have reached high positions and lead a dignified and effective life in the society. Mr.Joby, the world-famous Panchagusthi champion, Swapna Augustine, an internationally promoted artist without arms, Jilumol Mariet Thomas, the first Asian woman without arms to get a driving licence etc. are some of the sweet fruits of Mercy Home.

Pratyasha Bhavan Girls’ Home is a socially committed Institution run by SD St. Joseph Province, Changanassery. This Institution is a great relief for girl children who are from disputed families. The Home is registered under Juvenile Justice Act and was established on 22 December 2017. It keeps voyaging to meet the basic and psycho social needs of distressed girl children below the age of 18. This home is exclusively meant for orphans, children from broken families, children of prisoners, children rescued from begging, child abuse, child labour etc. The institution provides skill development programs and conduct different training programs to develop the various talents of children like practicing music and musical instruments, dance, speech etc. Children are given value education through awareness programs and motivational sessions. Service of clinical psychologist and other therapists are also made available to them as per their needs.

St.Alphonsa Sneha Nivas was established in 1994 with a mission to provide shelter and care for street boys who were found wandering and uncared along the streets or at Railway stations. The institution was founded by Mar Joseph Powathil, the Archbishop of Changanassery, a visionary who recognized the need for a safe and nurturing environment for these vulnerable children. The institution is owned by the Archdiocese of Changanassery and run by the Sisters of the Destitute, who play a crucial role in offering a comfortable space for the boys to live, grow and develop. In its early years, Alphonsa Sneha Nivas focused on finding boys from the streets, many of whom were far away from their naive place, and providing them with safe and comfortable shelter, compassionate care and protection. The institution is registered under the JJ Act and operates as a Trust. However, with the introduction of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (JJ Act) and the establishment of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), significant changes have been brought about in the functioning system of the Institution to match the new legal framework. Efforts are made to reunite the stranded boys with their families in possible cases. The Institution is now aiming at taking care of forsaken boys of 5 to 11 years of age who are in need of care and protection, providing them with safe shelter, comfortable environment and good formation.

 

In February 2012 Asha Kendra Charitable Society was established. Initially, a counseling center was set up, followed by initiatives for child care, breadwinner programs and the Golden Star project for senior citizens, etc. For SD St. Joseph Province, Changanassery, the Ashakendra Social Welfare Centre acts as the central hub for coordination of the social activities of the province.

The new building of Asha Kendra was inaugurated by Very Rev.Fr.Mani Puthiyidam, Vicar of St.Mary’s Church Kudamaloor on November 28, 2023. The social welfare initiatives of the province are implemented through the Asha Kendra center.

VISION

To become God’s good news to all.

MISSION

A space of grace and fullness to rejuvenate individuals and families in the light of God’s love.

The main initiatives of the Centre:

• Counselling

• Community-based programs

• Women empowerment programs

• Child care programs

• Acupuncture clinics

• Senior citizen programs

• Social welfare activities

• Institution coordination

• Bread winner program

• Charity programs