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Udupi : ‘Sampada’, the social welfare organization of Udupi Diocese completed five years of meritorious service to the society. The fifth annual day celebration of ‘Sampada’ was held in Mother of Sorrows Parish Hall on Saturday, 29 June 2019 at 2.30 pm.

Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese presided over the function. Other dignitaries on the dais included Fr. Oswald Monteiro-Secretary of CODP as the chief guest, Sr. Zeetha D’Souza-Coordinator of KROSS, Fr. Reginald Pinto-Director of Sampada, Anil Fernandes-Representative of Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), Prakash Noronha- Representative of MCC Qatar and Sr. Veera Monis-Coordinator of ICDP.

Following the prayer song by the members of Preethi Self-help Group from Miyar Parish, Sr. Veera Monis conducted brief prayers service.

Fr. Reginald Pinto-Director of Sampada welcomed the guests and  also presented a brief report of the achievements of ‘Sampada’ during the last five years. In his narration, Fr. Reginald Pinto said that  he was appointed  as the Director of Diocesan Social Development and Charities in June 2013. In order to gain additional knowledge in this field, he was sent abroad. Meanwhile,  under the direction of the Bishop Sr. Treeza Martis along with two of her associates  started the work of empowerment of women in Karkala Deanery and under the leadership of Sr. Veera monis the activities of ICDP were also started. After his return from abroad in December 2013, Fr. Reginald took charge of the Social Development Commission and laid down the vision, mission and aims and objectives of ‘Sampada’  which was officially established as a Trust on 7 June 2014 with its registration in the District Registrar’s office.

Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo has been the chief trustee of ‘Sampada’ along with Vicar General Msgr. Baptist Menezes as co-chief trustee, and other trustees-Fr. Reginald Pinto-Director of ‘Sampada’ and Fr. Stany Lobo-Rector of Milagres Cathedral. Nominated trustees included-Shirthady William Pinto, John D’Silva, Sr. Lilly Pushpa,  Ms. Tina Machado and Mrs. Shanthi Pereira. The present Board of Trustees include: The Bishop, the Vicar General, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza and Fr. Reginald Pinto. Nominated members are:  John D’Silva Mrs. Shanthi Pereira, Mrs. Janet Barboza and Mrs. Shaila D’Souza.

Empowerment of women has been one of the chief aims of ‘Sampada’. In this direction establishment of self-help groups in each and every ward of every church has been one of the main objectives. During the last five years 431 self-help groups were established in 50 parishes of the diocese with 6,520 women members. Up to March 2019 the total amount collected by these self-help groups in savings accounts is Rs. 2,79,61,115/-; loan availed from the government was Rs. 3,45,98,000/- and loan taken by individual women amount to Rs. 13, 59, 92,200/-. Besides being economically self-reliant women have been participating in political activities. 74 women have been elected to local village  panchayats and have been  instrumental in developmental tasks in their respective villages.

Under the auspices of ‘Sampada’ Sthree Sanghattans have been established in all the parishes and during the last five years these women’s associations have  evolved in Deanery wise  federations  such as: Inchara Mahila Okkuta in Shirva Deanery, Bhavana Mahila Okkuta in Kundapura Deanery,  Arpana Mahila Okkuta in Karkala Deanery,  Ujwala Mahila Okkuta in Kallianpura Deanery and Sharadhi Mahila Okkuta in Udupi Deanery. These Deanery wise federations were  confederated by Udupi District Central Committee known as Sugamya Zilla Okkuta.

Besides establishing self-help groups in all the parishes, ‘Sampada’ has helped in starting self-help groups among non-Christian sisters. Hence, there are 13 self-help groups run by Muslim women having 156 members and 3 groups run by Hindu women with 38 women.  There are also 12 self-help groups run by men with 173 members.

Besides empowering women  ‘Sampada’ has been spreading awareness among people about preserving environment and making best use of available resources. Water conservation, growing vegetables and fruits, planting of saplings, etc have been some of the important programmes promoted by ‘Sampada’. 

‘Sampada’ has taken up the cause of promotion of education among the economically disadvantaged and marginalized youth and students in the community. With the help of CODP and charitable organizations such as KCWA and MCC Qatar, interest free educational loans as well as scholarships have been provided to needy students. The sister organization ICDP under the leadership of Sr. Veera Monis has been providing assistance to needy children right from initial education to higher education. Presently, 209 primary school students, 46 high school students, 4 PUC and 10 graduate and post graduate  students avail financial help from ICDP.

Besides establishing self-help groups in all the parishes, ‘Sampada’ has helped in starting self-help groups among non-Christian sisters. Hence, there are 13 self-help groups run by Muslim women having 156 members and 3 groups run by Hindu women with 38 women.  There are also 12 self-help groups run by men with 173 members.

Besides empowering women  ‘Sampada’ has been spreading awareness among people about preserving environment and making best use of available resources. Water conservation, growing vegetables and fruits, planting of saplings, etc have been some of the important programmes promoted by ‘Sampada’. 

‘Sampada’ has taken up the cause of promotion of education among the economically disadvantaged and marginalized youth and students in the community. With the help of CODP and charitable organizations such as KCWA and MCC Qatar, interest free educational loans as well as scholarships have been provided to needy students. The sister organization ICDP under the leadership of Sr. Veera Monis has been providing assistance to needy children right from initial education to higher education. Presently, 209 primary school students, 46 high school students, 4 PUC and 10 graduate and post graduate  students avail financial help from ICDP.

On this occasion Fr. Oswald Monteiro released the annual souvenir of ‘Sampada’ titled “Sampadada Hejjegalu” (Steps of Sampada).

In his message, Fr. Oswald Monteiro complimented ‘Sampada’ for its sterling achievements during the last five years and emphasized on the need to protect and promote environment.

Sr. Zeeta D’Souza gave away  Greenway Jumbo Stoves to Mrs. Ida D’Souza and Mrs. Pramila Mathias of  Bhandhavya Self-help Group of Pilar Parish. She also distributed vegetable seeds to representatives of four self-help groups of  Ambadebettu of Perampalli Parish and handed over volunteer badges to Mrs. Judith Mendonca and Mrs. Carol Gonslaves of Nisarga self-help geoup of Tallur Parish.

Speaking on this occasion, Sr. Zeeta D’Souza appreciated the good work done by ‘Sampada’ and all the self-help groups associated with the organization.

Anil Fernandes, representative of KCWA symbolically handed over financial assistance to three students. Similarly, Prakash Noronha, representative of MCC Qatar handed over financial assistance to  two students.

In their address both Anil Fernandes and Prakash  Noronha lauded the good work of promoting education among financially weaker section of the students and assured continued support from their respective organizations.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo conferred ‘Best Self-help Group 2019 Prashasthi’ on 1. Preethi Self-help Group of Indugiri in Miyar Parish 2. Divya mahila Self-help Group, Hosadu, Thrasi Parish 3. Rose Mahila Self-help Group, Nandalike, Belman Parish 4. Chiguru Mahila Self-help Group, Kodugudde, Pamboor Parish and 5. Smile Mahila Self-help Group, Kambla thota, Kemmannu.

Three women achievers were conferred with ‘Best Woman Achiever 2019 Prashasthi’ by the Bishop. These included: 1. Mrs. Carol Fernandes, Preethi self-help Group, Miyar 2. Mrs. Carmine Lewis, Divya Self-help Group, Hosadu, Thrasi and 3. Mrs. Marina Lewis, Divya Self-help Group, Milagres Kallianpur.

In his message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo narrated the circumstances that led to the establishment of ‘Sampada’ in the diocese. He said that ‘Sampada’ is the Sanskrit word that means prosperity. He further said that  ‘Sampada’ aims at implementing the teachings of Jesus Christ and quoted a number of passages from the Holy Gospels. Reviewing the achievements of ‘Sampada’ during the last five years, the Bishop said that the credit for the success of the organization goes to Fr. Reginald Pinto who has shouldered the responsibility and has been working hard to spread its activities throughout the diocese. The Bishop made an appeal to the people to have a positive mind set and endeavour to help those who are need so that eventually there would be no economically needy person in the diocese. He thanked the management and members of KCWA and MCC Qatar for their generosity in providing financial assistance to the needy students of  the diocese.

Mrs. Lilly D’Souza, Animator of ‘Sampada’ proposed the vote of thanks. Stany Fernandes and Jeshwita Sequeira compeered the programme.