Association of Voluntary Agencies (AVA)

Association of Voluntary Agencies (AVA) is a consortium of 17 like minded NGOs working under consortium approach in Trichy composite District. It aims to provide a common platform and a district level forum for voluntary organizations working in Trichy district. The voluntary organization is "a formal, non-partisan body which comes into being as a result of personal initiative of an individual or a group of individuals to voluntarily undertake developmental work at the grassroots" and "aims at bettering the lives" of specific groups in the society.

All members of the Network are run by development professionals with 10 – 30 years of experience and rich exposure to a wide range of interventions in domains such as Health, Education, and Children oriented projects, Sanitation, Watershed Development and Women Empowerment. The network has a rich human resource base of experienced community coordinators and village volunteers in the district.The origin of voluntary work can be traced to the nature, social milieu, philanthropic activities, social service, social welfare and ethos of Indian people who believe in acts of the charity of various kinds. In fact, voluntary action and social welfare grew up simultaneously. Voluntary work existed in the form of charity, relief, welfare services, philanthropy, rehabilitation and socio-economic activities. The philanthropy was inherent in the individual as a kind of Dharma (duty) in the Indian philosophy and culture dating back to the ancient times.

During ancient and medieval period, voluntarism was manifest in diverse forms. Voluntarism was visible extensively in the fields of education, medicine, cultural promotion and even succour in crises like droughts, floods, epidemics and foreign invasions or depredations by robbers and criminals. During this period the community organized and established centres of learning and research where free food and accommodation were given. They also raised funds through their own organizations to distribute grants to hospitals, schools, colleges and orphanages. Different social organs came forward to help the poor and the destitute, the sick, the disabled, widows, orphans, old people and the jobless. Similarly, the traders and businessmen, the bankers and the professionals, the artisans and craftsmen and the agriculturists were helped by their colleagues in the occupation or professions. Thus, most of the problems were taken care of by way
of philanthropy and the state came to rescue only in conditions of extreme contingencies

The network -Association of Voluntary Agencies (AVA) has a proven track record in implementing Participatory Planning, Advocacy and Capacity building of the NGOs and CBOs at the grassroots level.AVA aims:

• To provide a forum for voluntary organizations
• To provide mutual support among voluntary agencies conducting various developmental activities
• To share experiences and strengthen collective action among members
• To organize trainings and workshops to enhance the skills of members
• Promoting Inter agencies and Government cooperation in Development Initiatives and appreciate the good work done by NGOs and authorities and to facilitate collective action on common issues of the area/district.

The voluntary organizations have become an irresistible global force today. They not only have a definitive place in modern state but they also perform vital functions for its members through the network of these institutions. The voluntary organizations have been providing social service to the poor, needy, neglected, the old-aged, the sick and the down-trodden. Their necessity is felt all the more strongly in emergency situations, like drought, floods, etc, requiring people's involvement and cooperation on a massive scale. Voluntarism, thus, becomes an approach as well as a technique. The voluntary organizations are independent, flexible, democratic, secular, non-profit people's organization which works for the welfare of the society. It renders noble, selfless community service on voluntary and non-profit basis by resourceful, enlightened, public-spirited, active citizens and social workers.

The voluntary organizations are flexible and possess the virtues of human service with dedication. They aim at creating a situation conducive to the development of potentialities in individuals, groups and communities to find solutions to their problems and ways and means to handling these to realize their ultimate goals. The basic commitment of the people engaged in voluntary organizations is for the development of economic and social life of concerned community. With the changing notion of state, the voluntary organizations role and importance has increased manifold. The reason behind this is that government structures are to gear for integrated development like

We are United-Association of Voluntary Agencies (AVA)

agriculture, energy, environment, water resources, equity and voluntary sector in achieving such goals. It is because it works at the grassroots level taking into account the local needs and requirements and is founded on the principles of equity and social justice.
Today their role in the development process has increased and has also become more complex. From the welfare and charity approach, the voluntary agencies have gradually changed and widened their outlook towards overall development of the society. In other words, their meaning and role has been extended to an area, which would be fruitful in improvement of qualitative political behaviour of the people and making weaker sections of our society sensitive to Development participation in a greater degree. - Kris

Children’s day celebrated in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School,

children's day activities

Children friendly colorful function on the occasion of Children’s day was celebrated in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Arumbuhalnagar, Pettavaithalai on 14^th Nov.2017 in school premises. Principal Chitra Balasubramanian spoke on the occasion and said ” Today, we are celebrating the happy occasion of Children's day. It is an occasion every child, every student love to celebrate. We all know that today is the Birth Anniversary of our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a leader our country will always remember.  Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru ‘s birthday is celebrated as children’s day. His birthday has been chosen to be celebrated as the children’s day because of his great love, care and affection to the children. He liked to talk and play with children for long time. He wanted to be surrounded by the children all through his life. He worked hard for the betterment of children and youths of the country just after the independence of India on august 15, 1947.Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was very much enthusiastic and warm hearted towards children especially about their welfare, rights, education and overall improvement in order to make this country a develop nation. He was very inspiring and motivating in nature, he always inspired the children working hard and bravery works. He was very much concerned about the health and welfare of the children in India, so he worked hard for the children so that they can get their childhood rights. He was called as Chacha Nehru by the children because of his selfless affection to them. His birthday was started celebrating as children’s Day all across the India after his death in 1964.He always favored childhood and supported them to live proper childhood without any personal, social, national, family and financial responsibilities because they are the future of the nation and responsible for the country development. Childhood becomes the best phase of the life which should be healthy and happy of everyone so that they can be ready to lead their nation ahead. If the children are unhealthy from mind and body, they cannot give their best to their nation in the future. So, the childhood phase of the life is the most significant phase which every parent should nourish with their love, care and affection. As being the citizen of the country, we should understand our responsibilities and save the future of the nation. Jawaharlal Nehru was a people's prime minister, statesman, intellectual, scholar and he was also one of the tallest world leaders of his time. Nehru's policies on economy, science and technology, international relations and education designed the future course

cultural events by school pupils

of the country”. Principal Chitra recollected the letter written by Pt.Nehru to Children and quoted,” I hope you will be more sensible and open your eyes and ears to this beauty and life that surrounds you. Can you recognise the flowers by their names and the birds by their singing? How easy it is to make friends with them and with everything in nature, if you go to them affectionately and with friendship. You must have read many fairy tales and stories of long ago. But the world itself is the greatest fairy tale and story of adventure that was ever written. Only we must have eyes to see and ears to hear and a mind that opens out to the life and beauty of the world”.Children’s day celebrated in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School was celebrated with lots of fun and activities like games, sports, indoor games, outdoor games, dance, drama play, national songs, speech, essay writing etc. activities and all. -Kris

World Toilet Day celebrated by SEVAI NGO in Trichy District.

World Toilet Day-2017 observed in SEVAi.

SEVAI NGO in Trichy observed World Toilet Day on 19 November, 2017 in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Pettavaithalai to raise awareness of the sanitation needs. K.Govindaraju, the founder -Director of SEVAI spoke on this occasion “World Toilet Day is a call to action to reach everyone in the world so that their human right to sanitation is achieved. Accessing safe drinking water and sanitation is human right and everyone is to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity. Open defecation free cities and villages provide a step to Perfect sanitation. Cleanliness in the community is just as important as cleanliness for individuals and families. Sanitation means public cleanliness using clean and safe toilets, keeping water sources clean, and disposing of garbage safely. When human waste (feces) is not managed well, it pollutes water, food, and soil with germs, and leads to diarrhea and other serious health problems. Using toilets prevents germs from getting into the environment, and protects the health of the whole community.

Household toilet constructed under ODF.

World Toilet Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the people who do not have access to toilet. It also creates urgency for action and can stimulate momentum for improving sanitation for households and communities. World Toilet Day was created by the World Toilet Organization in 2001 is to have a moral imperative to end open defecation and to ensure women and girls are not at risk of assault and rape simply because they lack a sanitation facility. Another issue is that toilets generally remain inadequate for populations with special needs, such as the disabled and elderly.  K.Govindaraju on this occasion appreciated the initiatives taken by Trichy District Collector Thiru.K.Rajamani, I A S for his efforts as Trichirapalli District in Tamilnadu is getting ready for the completion of the constriction of household toilets and put in use of these toilets in proper way by the population. District Collector Mr.K.Rajamani takes special attention for the construction of toilets and also the use of the toilets in the entire district of Trichy and the District Collector with his Department and volunteers  visits the villages periodically and he is very optimistic that he ensures the population is   to realize why toilets are important, and to achieve  the Open Defecation Free ODF status through collective efforts and he motivates   the people through officials and sanitation activists for the promotion of  construction process of   household toilets and use them resourcefully. The District collector’s efforts in the promotion of ODF through IEC approach are tremendously practical.” -Kris

Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee, Life members Mr.J.J.L.Ganaraj and Dr.V.Jayapal honored.

JJL. Gnanaraj honored

Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee Life Members Forum honored Senior Life members of Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee,Mr.J.J.L.Ganaraj and Dr.V.Jayapal for serving as  Board members for more than three decades with  fullest involvement for the welfare of the Trichy District Population especially the poor and needy  in the areas of disability welfare, educational promotion,, sports and medical support and emergency support as per the byelaws of Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee as Chaired by Trichirapalli District Collector as President of Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee. (SEVAI)Dr.K.Govindarajan, Treasurer of Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee appreciated that the self generated funds are used in optimum benefit of the needy and poor of the district the District Collector and Life Members play a vital role for raising funds and apply the same as per the byelaws of Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee. Mr.J.J.L.Ganaraj and Dr.V.Jayapal for have been of great service to the organization and/or the people it serves; an d they are known, respected by local population and officials. The rest of the members Dr.P.Selvaraj,

Dr.V.Jayapal honored

Chairman of Shivani group of Educational institutions, Dr.Prof.So.Sathiyaseelan, Prof.A.V.Rajagopalan and Chartered Accountant Thiru.Velanthurai appreciated the services of Mr.J.J.L.Ganaraj and Dr.V.Jayapal for their selfless service in Trichirapalli District Welfare Committee as Life Members.Dr.Thirunavukarusu,Manager of Trichy DWC and other members of the staff of DWC were also present on this occasion on 18^th November in Treasurers chamber of DWC-: Kris.

Kalam Award for Quality of Life Improvement 2016-17. Mr.A Bakthavatchalam, Director, ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL MASS INDIA -ARM

Mr.A.Bakthavachalam presented Kalam Award for quality of life Improvement

Mr.A Bakthavatchalam, Director, ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL MASS INDIA –ARM, Villupuram with his team started ARM and he believes that participation of people in their own development process empowers them. ARM’s works cover:25 Tribal Development councils were formed at Kalrayan hills.2500 peer educators promoted for STI,HIV,AIDS Prevention in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Puducherry and Villupuram Districts. 875 non going children were reenrolled in the regular schools from Villupuram district rural areas. 23875 out of school youth were trained in STI, HIV, AIDS in the rural areas. 78 youth boys and girls were given vocational training. 58 women self help groups were formed and promoted small savings through local banks of their areas. 450 PLHIV are given care and support for positive living. A Highway based information centre is promoted by the peer educators on their own and providing health and family welfare awareness messages for the public and truck drivers. 50 Domestic Child workers are relieved and mainstreamed at their own families and community. Awareness were given to 4500 youth on tobacco usages prevention and control. Nutritional Education is given to pregnant and lactating women in the rural areas. Self employment training and given to rural and tribal youths. 40 link workers are functioning in Villupuram district with the assistance of APAC NACCO and ARM. 1500 commercial sex workers screened for STI and HIV Test. 114 farmer coveralls are formed and trained for the Agricultural Development 75 Transgenders were given land tattle through Villupuram Collectorate. Koovagam festival an exclusive function and transgender is well organized and conducted for the past 10 years in which more than 6000 transgender participate and express their talents, skills on communication and HIV,AIDS awareness Association for Rural Mass India ARM is recognized as the nodal Health NGO in the district by the district health officers. We have trained 475 NGOs in tamilnadu through hands on training through our field learning centre on health, STI and HIV,AIDS subjects by providing field demonstration at Villupuram training centre. We have developed 150 trainers from Female sex workers, MSM, transgender and PLHIV as district resource persons from each high risk community groups.The South Zone Board of Continuing Education takes pride in conferring upon   Mr.A BAKTHAVATCHALAM, Director, ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL MASS INDIA –ARM, Villupuram, the Quality of Life Improvement Kalam Award for the year 2016-17 and the same is presented on 25 th October 2017 at Kalai arangam Conference Hall, Trichy.-Kris

Kalam Award for For Community Outreach 2016-17 presented to Mr.N.K.Perumal. RDO Trust

N.K.Perumal presented KALAM AWARD for Community Outreach program

RDO Trust was established in 1980, by the renowned social activitist, Mr.N.K.Perumal. His dream, clear vision and untiring toil have been instrumental in making RDO Trust , one of the leading voluntary organizations in India.RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION;  RDO Trust has done pioneering work for the upliftment of the downtrodden in the Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. Right from its inception, RDO Trust has been working in close tandem with communities in remote villages, inhabited by Dalits, Tribals and Badaga communities. We at RDO Trust have gained valuable firsthand experience of the problems these communities face, by living with them, learning from them. RDO has provided viable solutions to them by training them and providing them with a clear road map for educational, economical, technological, social , cultural and moral development.This RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION NGO charity is working on Key Issues of Children, Disaster Management, Education & Literacy, Environment & Forests, Health & Family Welfare, Housing, Labour & Employment, Micro Finance (SHGs), Rural Development & Poverty Alleviation, Tribal Affairs, Vocational Training, Women's Development & Empowerment .Education to 85,000 first generation children of the Dalit, Tribal and Badaga communities. Women empowerment through micro finance (SHG) Total Sanitation Project aiming to build 1,00,000 toilets in The Nilgiris to achieve a open defecation free district. The RDO Trust is committed to serve the rural community by promoting innovative solutions and advocate for collective responsibilities. It facilitates lasting solutions by: Providing quality and value education for the poor children, Strengthening the capacity of women self help groups (SHGs) by innovatively, promoting Women Owned and Managed Mutual Benefit Trust.Launching diversified income generation activities for the rural people,Striving to build 150,000 household toilets,Researching on the Nilgiris Tribal’s the age old ‘healing system’,Influencing policy decisions at district, state and national levels through proper network systems.South Zone Board of Continuing Education recognizes RDO’s community outreach program.The South Zone Board of Continuing Education takes pride in conferring upon   Mr.N.K.Perumal the Founder of RDO, the Kalam Award for Community Outreach for the year 2016-17on 25 th October 2017 at Kalai arangam Conference Hall, Trichy.

 Mr.N.K.Perumal,Founder/Director of RDO, the Nilgris District in his award

N.K.Perumal

acceptance speech said, “I am greatly honored by this award. I want to thank South Zone Board of Continuing Education (OZONE) for selecting me for presenting me the Award for Kalam Quality of Life Improvement Award. I want to take this occasion to thank all the people I worked with through the years. I want them to see this award as their award also. Voluntary organizations are based on the spirit of volunteerism, are autonomous and nonprofit organizations established to address various issues and problems in the society and play an important role in the development process as it promotes need based, area specific, innovative, integrated, environmental friendly and people friendly interventions. They have the capacity and capability to feel the pulse of the masses as they work at the grassroots level and are aware of the ground realities of the social problems. They work directly with the people. NGOs focus is on self sustained development. The NGOs work four decades back was voluntary and as of now Governments impose several conditions and regulations for NGOs to continue their development works. NGO functionaries need to be very attentive and comply with all the emerging system of the Governments”. -Kris