Who We Are
Stella Maris Institute of Development Studies (SMIDS) is a non government development and education activity based Trust. It was founded and being managed by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. It was founded in the year 1997 with a vision to create empowerment among the disadvantaged women in the society.
Across India and globe this congregation has been actively serving the marginalized and socio-economically disadvantaged population through the management of institutions targeting vulnerable children, women, senior citizens, children with special needs, terminally sick, people with mental health issues, Rehabilitation of Leprosy people ,HIV affected ,Disabled, Cancer patient etc. SMIDS work in the areas of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Animal Welfare, Children, Disaster Management, Environment and natural resource management, Food and Agriculture, HIV/AIDS, Legal Awareness & Aid, Micro Finance (SHGs), Panchayati Raj, Women’s Development & Empowerment, etc.. The organization works towards the promotion of sustainable development and operates in Tamil Nadu, India.
Working with the tribal people in our operational area is neglected lot, the fury government development programmes are not reaching them. They are backward in every aspects of human life. Exploitation of general people and interference of the people from the mainland to their hamlets made their life very miserable. This project is initiated to strengthen the Self-Help Groups we have formed in this area and to support tribal families to start viable income earning activities. A special emphasis has given for educational improvement of the tribal youth, that too higher education.
SMIDS has got wide experience in working with the rural community for their development. The guidance and facilitation they have provided to the marginalized communities are highly appreciated by all. The participatory approach of the organization helped the rural communities to develop innovative programmes for their development. SMIDS provides effective facilitation to the local community in identifying their problems, finding out solutions for these problems with the active participation of all the stake-holders concerned.
We need your generous financial support to implement the above project which we are optimistic will bring lasting changes in the lives of the tribal families in our area. Further implementation of this project will help us to integrate the tribal community with the mainstream society. What we can assure you that 100% of the financial support provided by you will be utilized for the purpose for which it is sanctioned.
“Establishment of the Society based on Justice, Peace and Sustainable Development”
“The mission of the Trust is to build up the potentials of the poor, marginalized, exploited, unorganized sections of the society, victims of calamities for their sustainable development and to imbibe the values of social responsibility through establishing community based Organizations.
To promote higher education potential for facilitating quality education, formation and transformation.
- To empower women and children for integrated and sustainable development.
- To encourage holistic Development of students by involving them in social actions.
- To provide value based higher education that produces persons who are innovative entrepreneurial, globally competitive and vested with high values and understanding of their professional social and ethical responsibilities.
- To provide general, specific and soft skills to the individual to advance the knowledge and competence of education for successful careers and lifelong learning.
- To establish linkages and MoUs with National, International Governments, Industries and other Institutions in the areas education, research and extension services.
- To organize rural, coastal and tribal people by forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- To promote socio- economic development and empowerment of the poor and disadvantaged
Sr. Rose Francis DM. | Managing Trustee | DM Convent Provincial House, Marthandam, 629 165, Kanyakumari | Provincial Superior & Social Worker | M.A. |
Sr. Dr. Archana Das | Trustee Secretary/ Executive Director | Stella Maris Social Centre, P.O. Box No. 4, Kanyakumari 629702 | Social Worker | PhD. |
Sr. Jincy Rose | Financial Trustee | DM Convent Provincial House, Marthandam, 629 165, Kanyakumari | Social Worker | MSW. MBA |
Sr. Dr Anila Christy | Trustee | DM Convent Provincial House, Marthandam, 629 165, Kanyakumari | Social Worker | PHD |
Sr. Reena K. Mathew | Trustee | Stella Maris Social Centre, P.O. Box No. 4, Kanyakumari 629702 | Social Worker | PhD |
- Self-Help Groups –Peoples Organization – 7515-SHGs
- Farmer producers Company -2
- Farmers Growers grower groups -51
- Farmers Federations – 5
- Joint Liability Group -Peoples Organization- 1200 -JLGs
- Children’s Creative Learning Centers (CCLC) -200 centres
- Handicrafts/Artisans Promotion – 2539 members
- Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre – 42 families
- Income Generation Programmes
- House Maintenance Programme
- Skills Training for the Rural Poor women and Youth
- Tribal Development Programme
- Micro Skill Development Programmes
- Live stock promotion
- Organic farming
- Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotion
- Livelihoods Enhancement programme
- Promoting FPOs
- Self employment of rural youth and women
- Cultivating herbal gardens, kitchen gardens and the restoration of denuded forests
- Community social action groups.
- Education assistance for poor children and Youth
- Housing Programme
- Agriculture and Allied Activities Training and other assistance for Farmers
TRAINING CENTRE
The training cum research center of Stella Maris has a conference hall, residential facilities, canteen facilities, and library and meditation hall. It also shares these facilities with others non-government as well as government services. We are now in the process of developing a research wing.