Programmes - Family Development Programme

Through family development programmes, poor families are identified and supported for sustainable livelihood. The programme involves two components – family sponsorship and housing.
Rural Housing
Housing is one of the basic requirements for human survival. For a normal citizen, owning a house provides significant economic security and dignity in society and brings about a profound social change in their existence. During the current year 50 families were assisted to construct new houses in 27 villages of Peermade and Udumpanchola Taluks of Idukki district. The average size of the house is 400 sq.ft and the average construction cost was Rs. 1.10 lakhs of which Rs.35000.00 was given as interest free loan and the remaining amount was mobilized from local SHGs and beneficiary share.


Family Sponsorship Programme
In this programme, poor families are supported through regular monthly assistance for a stipulated period of time. The families are selected by the local SHGs and each family is sponsored by a benefactor abroad. The assistance comes directly into an account that is jointly operated by the beneficiary family and the DSSS (Diocesan Social Service Society) director. The assistance is utilised mainly for income generating activities and also for satisfying immediate needs like food, clothing, housing, medical, etc. At present, the programme is implemented in 130 villages in Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts covering 1700 poor families. During the year Rs.145 lakhs was given directly to the sponsored beneficiaries through their bank accounts.


INSURANCE PROGRAMME - HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME
We have implemented two type of health insurance programmes namely Farmers Package Insurance and Universal Health Insurance programme with the help of The New India Assurance Company Ltd. These programmes are very helpful for the entire family members, as most of their medical and personal accident claims are met with this programme.

LIC’S GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMME
This is a group insurance programme in collaboration with Life Insurance Corporation of India in its social security programme, which covers natural death, disability and death due to accident. In addition to this the students, who are the children of the beneficiaries of this scheme, were given Rs.1200/- each as scholarship.

HOUSING SCHME
The area of operation of PDS is mainly high ranges and housing is a felt need of the area. From 1984 onwards PDS assisted 4000 families to construct new houses, 1500 families to renovate their houses and 4500 families to construct toilets. Our partner agencies are Kerala State Housing Board, ITDP, Govt. of Kerala, Block Dev. Dept., CAPART, RMK, HDFC, SAFP etc. During 2009-2010, PDS associated with Habitat For Humanity India to address the housing needs of the rural people in Idukki district. In the year we have completed the renovation of 200 houses and the construction of 50 new houses with the help of HFH India.