1. Socio economic sector

The priority of socio economic sector of Neyyattinkara Integral Development Society (NIDS) is to enhance the socio economic situation of the weaker sections of the society, the poor and marginalized. In this sector we are initiating programmes such as income generation programme, self employment programme, credit unions, self-help groups, micro credit, housing, EDP training etc. We have 93 local units of NIDS in our operational area. Attached to each unit we have a credit union with a view to promote thrift and savings. These credit unions are functioning properly with the direct supervision of the local units of nids. These credit units are maintaining their accounts in the local branch of the Nationalized/scheduled bank as per the convenience. Loan facility is also existing in the credit unions as per the availability of funds. Another major activity in the socio economic sector is self help groups. Presently we have 3097 SHGs actively functioning in our operational area. Out of these, 1859 are women SHGs, 382 men SHGs and 856 are children SHGs. The number of members in each SHGs are 10 to 16. Each of these SHGs maintains various documents like report book account book, loan register, membership register, individual pass book and SHG pass book with credit union or bank. The SHG members take up various income generation programmes with their share capital and loan from credit union or bank. Our SHGs and credit unions have a savings of `80,000,000/- (Rupees Eight Crore) and an internal lending of `78,500,000/- (Rupees Seven Crores Eighty Five lakhs only). We have availed `20 crores from different Banks such as Dhanalekshmi Bank, south Indian Bank and Catholic Syrian Bank as loan for on lending to SHGs to initiate income generation programmes under the micro credit scheme.

2. Agriculture Sector

In the agricultural sector, NIDS is endeavoring to improve the situation of the farmers in our area. NIDS is giving special emphasis in the area of agriculture because majority of the people in this area are farmers. Organic farming is the priority of our agriculture policy. We give equal importance to animal husbandry along with agriculture. For organic farming and additional income generation cow rearing is very important. We had conducted 38 five day trainings to 3521 farmers and 3023 farmers started cow rearing with the assistance of financial institutions, especially Bank of India with a loan of `30,068,000/-. We organized 31 two days training in goat rearing for 2329 farmers. 2113 farmers started goat rearing with the assistance of financial institutions. We conducted 24 two days training in poultry rearing for 1927 farmers and 1225 farmers started poultry rearing. In rabbit rearing we conducted three trainings of two days each for 156 persons with the support of NABARD. Total 78 farmers started rabbit rearing. The resource persons were experts from Kerala State Livestock Management Training Centre. Under this sector presently we have 147 farmers clubs 3217 homestead kitchen gardens, 9 organic villages and 11 group farming. During last year NIDS conducted Lead Farmers Training to the selected farmers with the support of NABARD.

3. Health Sector

NIDS is actively engaged in the promotion of rural health through the promotion of health awareness to the people. The need to maintain personal and environment hygiene for health is communicated to the people. To provide accessible and affordable medical care for the poor and marginalized is the priority of our health policy. Therefore, we promote alternative and herbal medicines. NIDS is actively engaged in the rehabilitation of the Disabled. We are striving to create awareness against the use of alcohol and psychotropic substance abuse. As part of the sanitation facilities we are constructing toilets for the poor without toilet facilities. Waste management is another activity of this sector. Promotion of herbal garden is also an activity of this sector.

4. Women Sector

In the women sector NIDS is striving for the empowerment of women through awareness generation and mainstreaming. Through the women organization we are implementing training and awareness programmes for the women towards their empowerment. As the result of the leadership training programme we conducted for women, 53 women won the last PRI elections. Thus the women got an opportunity to participate in the decision making process. Nursery schools are run for little children. Presently 117 nursery schools are functioning in this sector. Four crèches for little children are also running in this sector.

5. Labour and Justice sector

In this sector NIDS is striving to create awareness regarding legal matters among the common people who are ignorant of legal affairs. Legal literacy programmes are conducted on a regular basis. Legal aid cells are formed in the villages for the settlement of disputes. Legal awareness classes are conducted for the common people who are ignorant of law and justice. The people are taught about police act, criminal laws, civil rights, marriage acts, IPC, consumer protection act, family court, property dispute, etc. with a view to protect the people from exploitation. Job clubs, career guidance, PSC coaching, etc. are conducted for the youth under this sector.

6. Dalit and Backward Sector

Dalit, Backward and Tribals are our priority sector. We are organizing them to be a united force so that they can demand their rights. Awareness trainings and leadership programmes are conducted towards their empowerments. Vocational training is important to them and some are exposed to skill development training. Functional Vocational Trainings are also conducted for them. Information dissemination on various schemes of the government for the Dalit’s and backward is also a programme of this sector. Educational scholarships are provided to the students to encourage education. We also promote the art and culture of the Dalit’s and Tribals.

All the developmental activities of NIDS are devised with a view to uplift the weaker sections of the society at par with others with food security and life security. NIDS is also organizing animation programmes to empower the weaker sections of the society. Through various actions and activities, NIDS is endeavoring the self-reliance of the poor and marginalized in our operational area.

7. Migration and Jesus Fraternity

Though NIDS have initiated certain programmes for the welfare of those who are working outside, it is getting a definite structure now. Issues concerning people returning from gulf countries are to be addressed. There is also a high concentration of migrant workers in and around the operational area of NIDS. Spiritual services for the prisoners at local jail and collaborating with state Jesus Fraternity Forum are initiated.