Theeram Centres
1. Alappad
The Tsunami affected village of Alappad was identified by Theeram for the support work sponsored by the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of USA. We helped the villagers to overcome the mental trauma of the tragedy. Several camps were conducted to help the affected. Theeram participated in cleaning works of village. A centre for the mentally challenged was started and is moving progressively. Several other supports measures are also taken up.
2. Alathur
Alathur, a village in Palakkad district, Kerala’s greenbelt, has become the home of India Center for Social Change’s sixth vocational training center. Alathur was one of the first villages where ICSC conducted its social survey. The center is housed in a traditional Kerala house in a picturesque location near a beautiful and popular Hindu temple. As in other Theeram centers, the Alathur center had already identified children with developmental disabilities. The Theeram opened on February 24, 2005. At a well-attended function, the first 10 children who joined the center, inaugurated the new center by lighting the traditional lamp.
3. Karukachal
A Theeram center started near Karukachal started recently have fifteen young adults in the roll. Local support enabled us to locate and renovate the house where is centre is located.
4. Kasargod
Kasargod district is the most afflicted area by the unscrupulous misuse of endosulfan pesticide. The percentage of severe mental retardation and the related disbilities is highiest here. We undertook a detailed survey in 2006 and found the alarming number of cousualities and the minimum precautionary measures taken here. Therefore we were prompted to start a center here. We identified Kayyur-Cheemeni panchayath and started a center a few onths back . 18 young adults are benefited by our works through this center. We might have closed this center due to financial crisis if Mr. Ajay George, Kuwait has not come with support.
5. Kozhencherry
Theeram centre at Kozhencherry is the newest. Here we have the support from the Rotary club of Kozhencherry. They gave us their facilities and a vehicle to pick the incumbants of the centre.
6. Kunnamthanam
ICSC’s fourth vocational training center for mentally challenged children was inaugurated on Saturday, 12th February, 2005. At a function held at Pulinthanam, a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State, mentally challenged children inaugurated the new center by lighting the lamp. Twenty mentally challenged children joined the center after ICSC staff identified about 45 such children in the village through a social survey.
Kurichy is a sleepy hamlet south of Kottayam city in Kerala. The Theeram center in Kurichy is now awakening the villagers with its activities for children with developmental disabilities.
Theeram at Kurichy hopes that the center would be a ‘shore’ for many children with developmental disabilities.
8. Kuttoor
India Center for Social Change opened its eighth "Theeram" vocational training center at Kuttoor in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The center was inaugurated on July 7, 2005. In the tradition of Theeram, 9 children who have joined the "Theeram" center in Kuttoor, have together inaugurated the new center by lighting, nilavilakku, the traditional lamp. The opening ceremony was attended by an enthusiastic crowd. Rev. Kuriakose Moolayil Corepiscopa (ICSC board member) presided over the function. Fr. Joseph Kulathramannil (on whose property the new center is constructed), Fr. Mathews Edathara (Vicar, St. Mary's Church, Augusta, USA), and Mrs. Mercy Joseph (Panchayat President, Kuttoor Panchayat) attended the inaugural function and spoke on the occasion. Mr. M.T. Jayan, co-ordinator of the center welcomed the gathering and Ms. Jayammol Thomas proposed vote of thanks. The function was followed by cultural programs presented by the mentally challenged children.
9. Nalunnakkal
Nalunnakkal is a picturesque village near Changanacherry in Kottayam District. The villagers, many of them farmers, are comfortable with their leisurely lifestyle. Though there is progress in many areas in the village, attitude of villagers remain unchanged especially towards people with developmental disabilities.
India CSC opened its first Theeram center at Madappally, later moved to Nalunnakkal. Theeram was inaugurated by children with developmental disabilities in a simple ceremony by lighting a nilavilakku, the ceremonial lamp of Kerala. Twenty Six young adults come to the centre for training. They are picked up from their homes in the morning and returned to their homes in the evening.
10. Puthuppally
Mr. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, formally inaugurated ICSC's new "Theeram" vocational training center at Puthuppally in Kerala on Saturday, June 25, 2005. Inaugurating the new center, Chief Minister praised the services and contributions of ICSC towards the upliftment of mentally challenged children, a much neglected section of the society. He expressed his happiness about ICSC extending its presence to Puthuppally, Mr. Chandy's own electoral constituency, and offered every help to the center from his government.