WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION 2022 @ SPS INDIA FOUNDATION

SPS INDIA Foundation of the Retreat – Don Bosco has been involved in empowering the tribal women by initiating lots of developmental activities in the Shevaroyhills of Yercaud. It have initiated sustainable livelihood, trainings, projects and conducted awareness programmes to enlighten their lives. As part of the process of tribal women empowerment, SPS INDIA Foundation has organized a programme in view of international women’s day celebration on 12th of March 2022.

On the day of celebration more than 200 women participated in the celebration. Fr. Arul Maran SDB, Rector of The Retreat – Don Bosco, Yercaud, Mrs. Neela Kumar (Regional Project Co-coordinator, Yercaud) and Mrs. Sugantha (Manjakuttai Panchayat President) inaugurated the fete games for the tribal women. Br. Jerin gave a small introduction & explicated rules of the fete games and prizes. All the women participated actively in the fun filled games and competitions. We had a separate prize stall full of women accessories to be distributed to winners of the fete games. Then, there was a mega cultural programme. Everyone viewed the Success stories of some women participants who are on the track of achieving greater things after the trainings given by SPS. During this special occasion, our chief guests Dr. Lakshmi Siddharthan (Director – TMS Eye Hospital, Salem) & Dr. V. Priyadharshini MBBS, Medical Officer Vazhavanthi UGPHC, Yercaud, were welcomed by Fr. Selvakumar (Project director of SPS INDIA Foundation). He also felicitated the chief guests with the special memento. We also honored Women Panchayat Presidents and Counselors of Yercaud namely Mrs. Sugantha (Manjakuttai Panchayat President), Mrs. Neela Kumar (Regional Project Coordinator, Yercaud), Mrs. Chinnavellai (Nagalur Councilor) and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi. Then the chief guests addressed the tribal women. During their speech, they highlighted the struggles and inequalities issues that are faced by the women and shared their achievements to motivate the tribal women.

In a special way, they stressed on the importance to be free, to do what one likes and to spend some time for each one. The day was special as many women enrolled themselves in the cultural events like, singing, dance, and speech to showcase their talents. The chief guests distributed “Best Participant Award” for the project beneficiaries viz Mrs. Alphonsa, Violet Mary, Niyamala, Savitha Rani, Madhaneshwari, Manimegalai and Mr. Manoj for creating a beautiful, functional and proper organic kitchen garden successfully in their homes. The winners for the competitions – Rangoli, Mehandi, Speech and Cooking without fire were rewarded with prizes. Ms. Sangeetha, Retreat staff and Sujitha, HFH volunteer delivered the vote of thanks. The chief guests and Fr. Selvakumar SDB distributed saplings to all the women who participated in this celebration to make the women to become eco-conscious and to grow and save trees. There was also a special Eye Camp for all the participants. It was offered by the TMS Eye hospital, Salem. The Whole day event came to an end with the meaning menstrual Hygiene management (MHM) awareness given by Ms. Sangeetha to all the women. All of them were happy for the opportunity given for them to know themselves and to grow in their lives. As part of women’s day celebration SPS is on the mission to give MHM awareness to 2000 young tribal girls. It has already given awareness to 700 girls of the hill. Thus, SPS India Foundation honoured and will honour and celebrated the women.