Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Sumangali
Seva Ashrama
is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to uplifting needy, deserted
and battered women and orphan children. The organization is presently located
in Cholanayakanahalli in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India.
The
Ashrama was established in 1975 by two dedicated women, Smt. S.G.Susheelamma
and Smt. Kanthamma, whose personal experiences inspired them with courage
and single-minded determination to help such women and children to lead
self-reliant lives.
From
a humble beginning, Sumangali Seva Ashrama has grown into a large institution
humming with a variety of activities and programs. Today, it has taken another
giant stride away from its institution-based approach, and now works in the
rural areas of Bangalore North Taluk. It has a team of dedicated people who
aim to empower as many women as possible through education, vocational
training, means of income generation, health programs, spiritual and
environmental awareness, entrepreneur awareness programs, and
entrepreneur development programs and workshops.
Sumangali
Seva Ashrama is registered with the State Government of Karnataka under the
Karnataka Societies Registration Act of 1960. The registration number of
the Ashrama is 212/75-76.
Sumangali Seva Ashrama's
Ongoing Programs:
Education
and Other Activities
- Two higher-primary schools in Bangalore catering to about 1000 children
- Adult literacy programs
- Sports activities
- Cultural activities
Primary school students gathered in front of
their school
Health
Programs
- Regular health check-up camps for the public, particularly from rural areas
- Weekly health check-up for all residents of the Ashrama
- Immunization programs for mothers and children
- Special health check-up for the physically handicapped
Vocational
Training and Income Generation
- Doll and cocoon garland making
- Tailoring and embroidery
- Knitting
- Cotton and silk weaving
- Dupion silk twisting
- Spinning matka
silk
/ ahimsa
silk
- Horticulture
- Pappad and pickle making
- Handwoven bed covers and dhurries
- Training in the manufacture of soap powder,
liquid soap, candles and
Phenol
- Entrepreneur Awareness Programs
- Entrepreneur Development Programs,
- Workshops and Seminars
Women engaged in cotton and
silk weaving activities
Community
Activities
- 2 creches and
2 non-formal schools that provide free services for children
of working mothers
- Family counselling
- Organizing Mahila
Mandals
(women's societies) to implement the many programs of the Ashrama
- A multi-purpose co-operative society to market products produced by
Sumangali Seva Ashrama and other Mahila Mandals
- Facilitating loans for women to encourage self-employment
- 130
Anganwadi centers in Bangalore City slums to uplift the residents
- "Earn
while you learn"
programs for people with no formal education
- Community development to create awareness on various socio-economic
issues related to property rights, pensions, ration cards, dowry, and human
rights, among others
Awards:
Sumangali
Seva Ashrama's achievements have brought it many laurels from both the
Government of the State of Karnataka and the Central Government of India. Some
of the awards are:
- the State Award for Childrens' Welfare in
1985
- the National Award (Dr. BabaSaheb Ambedkar
Award) for handlooms in 1991
- the State Award (Rani Kittur Chennamma
Award) for Womens' and Childrens' Welfare in 1999
- the State Award (Karnataka Rajyotsava
Award) for Social Service in 2000
Anganwadi children
participating in a drama
Future Plans:
- Income generation activities to sustain the Ashrama after our present
sponsors move out of the project
- Construction of a "Home for the Aged".
- Construction of a high school for children, later to be extended to a
college
Statement:
"We at Sumangali
Seva Ashrama are making sincere and steadfast efforts to empower women of all
ages and to educate children. These efforts have made our Ashrama grow in size
and stature. We still have a lot to do, and we shall not stop until our goal is
achieved. We request you to kindly join us in this noble endeavour."
To
contact the Ashrama:
write
to:
Sumangali
Seva Ashrama
Cholanayakanahalli,
R.T.Nagar Post
Bangalore,
560032, Karnataka State
India
Phone:
(91)(80) 333-0499
Fax:
(91)(80) 343-9190
Back to Prof. Banavara's Homepage
nbanavara@mercy.edu
