Rehabilitation
PERMANENT FLOOD SHELTER – BORALIMARI, HOIBORGAON, MORIGAON:
The Morigaon district is bounded by the mighty Brahmaputra River, which flows along the northern boundary of the district. The topography of Morigaon causes flooding in the district, wreaking havoc during the monsoons. Hoiborgaon Char of Boralimari Revenue Circle, an island in the Brahmaputra River, is among the most remote areas which get heavily flooded and remains disconnected from the mainland due to disruption of the ferry services which is the only mode of communication between the island and the mainland.
With the support of the District Commissioner the Trust constructed a permanent flood shelter on a raised platform on the island char, which has been planned to provide shelter for the aged, ailing, pregnant and young women with infants from the local populace. Cattle can also take shelter during heavy flooding. The construction was completed in September 2023 with significant cost overruns due to the very difficult and expensive process of transportation of materials to the site. It is very satisfying and heartwarming that the shelter came into full use during the floods last year and also the recent floods this season. It is noteworthy that the construction of the shelter has been appreciated as a replicable model at the highest level of government.
PERMANENT FLOOD SHELTER – KATHONI, LAHORIGHAT, MORIGAON:
With the successful completion and launch of the first permanent flood shelter at Hoiborgaon Char, Boralimari, and greatly encouraged by the beneficial impact on the flood ravaged populace, the Trust was encouraged to construct a similar but larger permanent shelter at Kathoni, under Lahorighat Revenue Circle as suggested by the District Commissioner of Morigaon. The construction of the second shelter began in January 2024. Upon completion in the month of August it was inaugurated on 22nd September 2024. The shelter is constructed on a 4-feet raised platform with a 15 feet broad open space on all sides for providing extra shelter for more people and cattle.
SNEHALAYA:
Snehalaya is a ‘Salesians of Don Bosco’ initiative to provide love, care and protection for children and build their lives through various supportive programs and services. It provides a home for street children in distress and counsels and educates them to become responsible citizens. Snehalaya was founded by Father Lukose Cheruvalel in Guwahati and has been operational since January 2001. Presently it runs 5 Child Care Institutions (CCI) in and around the city. The Trust extends financial assistance to Snehalaya and is committed to do so in the future.
SHISHU SAROTHI:
Shishu Sarothi is a reputed organization that started in 1987 with a focus on providing holistic services for children with cerebral palsy and associated multiple disabilities in Assam and Northeast India. The Trust has been providing financial assistance towards the operational expenses for the early intervention project which entails trained resource teams from SS visiting rural and outlying areas for identification and treatment of high-risk babies who otherwise would not have been brought to medical/health centres for critical assistance on grounds of accessibility, financial difficulty and affordability.
Shishu Sarothi has expanded its services to reach thousands of children with different developmental disabilities across the region, and its work encompasses service delivery, rights realization, awareness and advocacy, and research and documentation. The organization’s key thematic areas include early intervention, inclusive education, awareness and advocacy, and research and documentation. Shishu Sarothi’s vision is an inclusive world where all people with disabilities enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others, and its mission is to uphold and advocate for the rights of children and persons with disabilities, ensure equal opportunities, promote their inclusion and full participation in a non-discriminating, barrier-free society. Habilitating/rehabilitating children and persons with disabilities to achieve their full potential and promote livelihood opportunities through appropriate and inclusive education and development of life skills in an equitable, barrier-free environment. Shishu Sarothi is a recipient of a National Award from the President of India.
CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES (CDI):
Since December 2019, the SCKC Trust has partnered with CDI on collaborative projects, specifically training programs for rescued girls who have been victims of trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse and forced labour. These young women almost entirely belong to the poorest, vulnerable and disadvantaged bottom of the social pyramid. These programs literally bring the beneficiaries out into the light of a safe, caring and supportive life that they could never otherwise dream of.
CDI is a social wing of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) with a mission to empower marginalized communities, particularly women and children. Serving as the coordinating body for social and development work within the Congregation, CDI provides expertise, guidance, and facilitation to Provinces and Delegations. Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, CDI focuses on the development of exploited and voiceless women, girls, and children, with a strong foundation of restoring and upholding human and social values.
CDI conducts various thoughtfully structured programs that are designed to socially and economically empower the beneficiaries to take control of their lives and affairs in productive and remunerative areas of engagement which enables them to live more meaningful and purposeful lives. The programs encompass various skills such as tailoring, housekeeping, elderly and child care, domestic work, cooking, and kitchen-related tasks. Depending on their educational standards and ambitions they can be prepared for blue collar careers with sustained and dependable financial support. Through this collaboration, CDI and the SCKC Trust aims to provide for preparing the beneficiaries for a better future and integration into society with dignity and self-respect.
INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CHILD WELFARE (ICCW):
The Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), Assam State Branch, is a national organization dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by abandoned, vulnerable and marginalized children in the state. The SCKC Trust donates the entire requirement for baby food and milk for all infants and children aged 0 to 6 months and older who are housed and cared for at “Shishu Greh” home for children.
Established in 1967 and affiliated with the parent body in Delhi, the state branch of ICCW has tirelessly worked towards providing shelter, rehabilitation and creating a better, safer and happier future for abandoned, vulnerable and marginalized children.
The council runs various projects to support and protect children in need. These initiatives include ChildLine services such as Guwahati Childline, Railway Childline, and Kamrup Rural Childline, which provide emergency assistance and support to children in distress. Additionally, they operate specialized facilities like Shishu-Greh (Specialized Adoption Agency), Crèche Centres, Open Shelters for Boys, Children’s Homes for Girls (Kalyani Niwas), Family Counseling Centres (FCC), Anganwadi Training Centres, Shelter for Urban Homeless (Male Shelter), Night Shelters for Women, and Feeding Programs for children.
Through these projects, the ICCW Assam State Branch strives to create a safe and nurturing environment for children, ensuring their well-being, education, and overall development. By addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by vulnerable children, the organization plays a vital role in promoting their rights and providing them with opportunities for a brighter future. The SCKC Trust has been associated with the ICCW since the year 2018, but we have been particularly involved with the specialized facility unit “Shishu-Greh” where infants of age 0-6 months and older are taken care of. The Trust has been providing the full requirement of baby milk food for the infant inmates in the facility since March 2021.
THE NEW LIFE FOUNDATION (NLF):
The Trust has extended need based financial aid to New Life Foundation since the year 2021 to provide infrastructural support to both women’s and men’s centres, including essentials like bed mattresses, fans, water purifiers, tube lights, ETC. The Foundation’s three centres in Tinsukia, Margherita and Sivasagar in upper Assam have been providing outstanding assistance and support to the inmates who belong to poor and disadvantaged sections. As such they, unlike drug abuse sufferers from well to do backgrounds, do not have the wherewithal to access proper and timely medical and psychological assistance and services from properly qualified professionals.
New Life Foundation is a transformative force in the lives of individuals from backward communities in North-East India. Since its establishment in 2020, their rehabilitation centre in Tinsukia and surrounding areas has empowered youth struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. Through a comprehensive nine-step recovery program, victims are provided with essential tools, self-help materials, and a strong support system to rebuild their lives.
Driven by their vision to restore health, inspire healing, and contribute to nation-building, New Life Foundation is actively involved in spreading awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. They are dedicated to expanding their impact by creating modern infrastructure, establishing a network of role models among recovered individuals, and extending their operations to nearby regions.
By fostering a community-led movement and utilizing limited resources, New Life Foundation stands as a beacon of hope for underprivileged communities. With a commitment to empowering the youth and instilling values of responsibility and dignity, they are creating a better future and enabling individuals to live fulfilling lives free from the clutches of addiction. The support extended by the SCKC Trust exemplifies the strengthening of the spirit of community-led movements and laying the foundation for a better future by motivating individuals through hope and inspiration to live a fulfilling and purposeful life free from addiction and moral burden.
SANTANEER:
A comfortable home for the aged in the evening of their lives that gives shelter to helpless and vulnerable men and women from poor backgrounds without family care and support. The facility has been established and developed in a very thoughtful way to provide all the needs of the elderly including food, medicines and physical activities. Santaneer focuses on holistic care and wellbeing for all its inmates in a serene and peaceful environment. Special attention is paid to mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing through counseling. Basic medical treatment is given at the facility under qualified supervision and inmates are taken to hospital whenever required. The majority of the inmates cannot make any financial contribution towards their stay at Santaneer where they will end their lives.
