KARICKAM INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, CC PROFILE

CC NAME: KARICKAM INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, SOUTH INDIA REGION

FAITHS AND TRADITIONS REPRESENTED IN CC: HINDUS, MUSLIMS, DLITS   AND CHRISTIANS.

LOCATION OF CC: KARICKAM, KOTTARAKKARA,  KOLLAM DISTRICT, KERALA STATE.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS: Counseling, IFHW Celebrations, YLP Programs, Youth Leadership Training, IDP Rally

 Value Added Education, Civil service Training, Community Development programs, Cancer Care and Medical Assistance,

Environmental Protection, Education, Career  Guidance, Peace Building etc.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Anila.S.V                                                                                 Jiji.P.Mathew

Karickam International Public School                                 Friends Complex

Karickam P. O                                                                                    Karickam. P.O

Kottarakara                                                                            Kottarakara

Ph: 9539093863                                                                      Ph: 9446710367

Email: anilamol05@gmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Email: jpm29466@gmail.com

QUESTIONS:

1.    What is the current religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?

There are around 600 members in our CC. They belong to four communities described above. There are three schools, Agricultural University, ESI hospital, famous Ganapathi Temple, Muslim Mosque etc. in our place. There is a big cashew factory also. The Sadananda Ashram houses an Ayurvedic Centre also. World famous classical dance form  Kathakali originated in Kottarakkara. An  institution named Kalakshetra for teaching various arts like Kathakali is  situated near the Mahaganapathi temple. Famous St. Gregorious College is also within three Kilometeres.

Karickam has become an educational Hub in the region. Almost one hundred years ago the Seventh Day Adventist Missionaries from United States of America came here and started a school. That was a turning point in our history. It opened out doors for a revival and it was a window to the West. All the villagers got a chance for better education.

2.    Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge building needed in the area where your CC works?

 The four communities of our region, viz. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Dalits usually live in peace, but due to political manipulations, the relationship fail on several occasions. The ‘other’ becomes an enemy. We have to be very vigilant in order to keep the social fabric in tact. And today youth have lost their moral values and they might become criminals and some of them turn to drugs. So the interfaith meetings and youth leadership training are very essential for educating the youth. We promote peace through our Interfaith Students, Movement with affiliates in several educational institutions in Kerala.

3.    Please briefly describe the main activities or programs your CC is carrying out this year?

(i). Career Guidance Program.

(ii). Counseling for students.

(iii). Distributing saplings in connection with Environment Day on June 5^th .

Principal Jiji P Mathew distributing seedlings as part of forestation program.

Environmental Activities.
(Distribution of saplings & seeds, medicinal garden, vegetable garden etc)

(iv). Palliative Care.

Students presenting 10,000 rupees to Mr. Shaji, who is in bed for 10 years after a bus accident, 35 KM away from our school.

    Every year our students and staff collect around 100,000 rupees (2000 dollars approx.) for cancer care. Sometimes there will be a special drive for some patients, especially parents or immediate family members of our community.

(v). Conducting leadership training and youth camp.

Participants of annual youth camp—second line leaders of URI.

(vi). Celebrating days of National and International relevance.

(vii).Conducting Water Literacy Seminar.

Water Literacy Seminar being inaugurated by V. Prakash, Asst. Director of Water and Irrigation Department of the Govt. of Kerala. (News in Mathrubhoomi Daily).

(viii). International Day of Peace celebration.

Peace rally in connection with UN International day of Peace. We conduct this program every year, which attaracts the attention of large number of peaople.

(Ix) 5^th International Holy Books Conference.

Participants of the 5^th International Holy Books Conference, which was held in our school in 2013.

(x). Sri Lankan Gandhi Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne was honored by our CC.

Magseyse award winner Dr. A. T. Ariaratna (Founder President of Sarvodaya Movement in Sri Lanka) with our students at KIPS. It was a rare privilegefor us  to receive this veteran URI leader in our institution.

(xi). We celebrate UN Interfaith Harmony Week.

UN Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated every year in our school with a series of programs. Rev. Dr. Victor kazanjian inaugurating 2015 Harmony Week clelebration by flying a pigeon into the sky.

(xii). Support ‘Run Kerala Run’.

We supported the Run Kerala Run program of Kerala Govt. for a better Health Culture. All our senior students and staff participated in the 2 KM run.

(xiii). YLP Water Harvester Inauguration

YLP Water Harvester Inauguration at KIPS by Dr. Victor Kazanjian- a special URI project under Youth Leadership Program supported by the Hub Office, San Francisco.

(xiv). Interfaith Exhibition.

A scene from the Interfaith Exhibition that we conduct every other year. Large number of people visit our booths  with multifarious rarities.

(xv). Medical Camp.

Medical Camp is one of our regular programs. There have been camps related to Heart care, Cancer care etc.

(xvi). Conducted South India Zonal Assembly.

We could organize the URI South India Zonal Assembly last year in connection with the visit of Matthew Youde and Krithika Hareesh.

(xvii). Community Service

Malayala Manorama news about our Community out reach program—Collection Check for Cancer care being handed over by Dr. J. Parameela Devi (Women’s Commission Member of Kerala) to Thomas P. Malchi, President of Santhvanam cancer care Society.

1.    Between which specific religions or cultures are bridges being built?

Mainly among the three communities like Hindus, Muslims and Christians. In our CC Students are specially trained for community development and peace building.

2.    Please explain the method or strategy that your CC uses to bring together people of different cultures and faiths that would otherwise not interact or cooperate with each other.

Our main method is to bring all faiths in one circle through IDP Rally, Career guidance program, Counseling, Youth camp, Interfaith exhibition, palliative care, IFHW celebrations and so on.

3.    Given the current context you described, what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?

 We hope to cultivate a culture of dialogue and lasting peace in our locality. Environmental protection is also one of our primary objectives, and we have created a medicinal garden in our compound. We feel it is a gift that we can communicate directly with 500 students and staff members who are being motivated through our activities.

We hope to create a potential generation of youngsters who can build a new society free of violence. We invest in the youth for a better world. We mould citizens of the world.

4.    How do you see your CC’s work improving cooperation among people of different traditions?

We have people of different traditions in our school and it becomes a nucleus of excellent interfaith relations. It is surprising that the knowledge about other religions is very limited among the students. We are trying to cultivate a intercultural and interreligious foundation that provides a new philosophical view for our young member

5.    How is the work of your CC helping to prevent religiously inspired violence or transforming conflict? (NOTE: This question is relevant only in areas with violence/open conflict.)

6.    What are some observations or signs you see that relations are improving between people of different faiths/cultures in the area where your CC works?

It is a great achievement that we have been able to bring together all the residents of Karickam during the Onam festival. This event was the first of its kind to happen in this locality. Large numbers of people assemble irrespective of caste and creed when we have programs like medical camps, IDP Peace procession and so on. Our CC has hundreds of families generously contributing towards our pain and Palliative care program.

7.    Please share specific short story about your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.

Once, one of our students’ mother was in critical stage due to cancer. The moment we knew about this, all CC members came forward to help that poor  patient. Within two days we collected more than 60,000 rupees (1000 dollars) and gave it to her. After recovering she came to us and expressed her gratitude with tears. It was an unforgettable experience.

Our members recently travelled 40 kms to visit another  person who had been in bed for the past 10 years. He was injured in a bus accident that left him paralyzed. He called our contact person after reading about our programs in local newspapers. The moment was recognition of our work that a person in need could reach out to us seeking help. We contributed 1000 Rupees towards his medical treatment. It was an unforgettable experience to spend some time with a family and provide them with moral and financial support.

8.    How is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?

All our social work helps realize the objectives of URI. URI is in itself a peace building entity, and we are also striving to bridge the gap between religions and cultures

9.    Within your CC, you have members from several different faiths and cultural traditions. How would you describe cooperation among your CC’s members? What are the challenges?

We have four communities on our campus and interfaith worship is sometimes a challenge. Some fundamental Christian groups find it difficult to understand our vocation. But on the whole we are developing a new philosophy of ‘one humanity.’

10.          How is being part of URI helping your CC to achieve its goals?

Our institution and our CC have gained a lot by becoming part of URI. Our members have been able to grow as world citizens. Every student now feels that he/she is like a youth ambassador of United Nations, because of our UN related activities. Many of them want to study peace-building and conflict transformation courses in the future.

11.          Aside from funding, what are some specific ways URI can better support your CC in reaching its goals?

URI can support us in the following programs:

 1) Send international volunteers to work in our school for a few weeks.

 2) Help us find a partner school in another continent with which we can have exchange programs.

Compiled by T. G. Stephen and Sini.D

   

KERALA KAVYA KALA SAHITHY CC Profile

CC NAME: KERALA KAVYA KALA SAHITHY

FAITHS AND TRADITIONS REPRESENTED IN CC: Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Dalits.

LOCATION OF CC: Kottarakara, Kerala

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:  Students development, youth welfare programs, community development, women empowerment etc.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION: 

                                                                                                Sajan Koshy

Prof. John Kurakkar                                                        Kanjiramvila,  Pattamala

Darsana, Kurakargarden’s                                            Kizhaketheruvu P.O

Karickam P.O                                                                     Kottarakara,Kerala

Kottarakara

Kerala, India

Ph: 9447559495                                              Ph:9446797646

Email. Profjohnkurakar@gmail.com                        Email: saj.koshy@gmail.com

QUESTIONS:

1.    What is the current religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?

Kerala KavyaKalaSahithy CC is working in schools and colleges in Kerala state. We also have local units in Kottarakara. Hence the main communities are Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Dalits. Most of the villagers are unemployed.

2.    Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge building needed in the area where your CC works?

In Kottarakara different religious people living together. Interfaith association helps their co-operation and harmony for the better living.

3.    Please briefly describe the main activities or programs your CC is carrying out this year?

Interfaith seminars and celebrations, joint celebration of Onam, Christmas, Ramadan etc, medical camps for villagers, free tuition classes, free computer awareness classes, legal literacy classes, job oriented training classes for unemployed women, carrier development classes for students, celebration of International important days, environment awareness classes and seminars.

 

Kerala Kavya Kala Sahithy conducted one day Honey bee Training Camp for School Students

KERALA KAVYAKALA SAHITHY DIRECTORS BOARD ANNUAL CAMP AT VAGAMON

4.    Between which specific religions or cultures are bridges being built?

Mainly among Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

5.    Please explain the method or strategy that your CC uses to bring together people of different cultures and faiths that would otherwise not interact or cooperate with each other.

Kerala KavyaKala Sahithy isalways bring people together of different religions, cultures and traditions. We discuss local, social and cultural issues and also celebrate all religious festivals with the help of all religion.

6.    Given the current context you described, what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?

Kerala KavyaKala Sahithy CC hope a complete religious harmony and co-operation and to create a powerful youth without having any racial discrimination. Our aim is to develop a new and powerful religious harmony society without any religiously  motivated violence and terrors.

7.    How do you see your CC’s work improving cooperation among people of different traditions?

We have a wide network for students and youngsters. We have many groups in schools and colleges. Through our activities we attract hundreds of young people to our association.

8.    How is the work of your CC helping to prevent religiously inspired violence or transforming conflict? (NOTE: This question is relevant only in areas with violence/open conflict.)

Our CC focusing the field religious harmony. Main aim is focusing on youth development. Our awareness class for youth is very effective to prevent violence.

9.    What are some observations or signs you see that relations are improving between people of different faiths/cultures in the area where your CC works?

The people related to different religions and traditions are co-operating each other and celebrate all festivals together. They occasionally visit other religious people’s home. In this area no communal disharmony

10.          Please share a specific short story about your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.

In May our CC conducted an environment seminar at Kottarakara. More than 80 members of different religions participated. The seminar emphasis the importance of environment protection. This seminar helped us to understand the need of the protection of nature. The meetings help us to unite in many ways that cooperation, unity and oneness.

11.           How is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?

Our CC is the greatest unit of the United Religions Initiative. We work among the students, youth and villagers. We spread the message of religious harmony, the mission of URI.

12.          Within your CC, you have members from several different faiths and cultural traditions. How would you describe cooperation among your CC’s members? What are the challenges?

Our CC is a large CC, we have thousands of members in different religions. Our aim is religious harmony. Every member accepts the URI principles. We work together for religious harmony and co-operation.

13.          How is being part of URI helping your CC to achieve its goals?

Our CC is a part of United Religions Initiative. We work for the great goals. We unite for the betterment of new world without religiously motivated violence. Our aim is world peace.

14.          Aside from funding, what are some specific ways URI can better support your CC in reaching its goals?

We expect better support from URI for  conduct youth development programs, women empowerment activities, to extend YLP programs for many schools etc.

                                                                        

Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation CC Profile

CC NAME: Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation

FAITHS AND TRADITIONS REPRESENTED IN CC: Hindus, Muslims, Dalits and Christians .

LOCATION OF CC: Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS: Peace Building, Women Empowerment, Leadership Training, Religious Festival Celebrations, Interfaith Conferences, Educational support, Free Tuition for Poor Students etc.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Joseph Chacko                                C.Muthu

Thadathil                                          Totathil

Kuttapuzha. P.O                              Anjilithanam.P.O

Thiruvalla, KeralaI,India                 Thiruvalla, Kerala, India

Ph: 9847163315                                       Ph: 914692690109

E-mail: josephchakouri@gmail.com

Web: www.uripeacecentre.in

URI Regional Staff with Sri. Joseph Chacko (President of Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation CC, Thiruvalla)

Inauguration of URI Peace Center at Thiruvalla in the presence of MI Team

QUESTIONS:

1.    What is the current religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?

Thiruvalla is pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Hindus, Muslims and Christians are the main communities there. There is a large concentration of aborigines also, who were subjected to untold miseries for centuries. So many agencies strived for decades for the upliftment of the downtrodden class. Thiruvalla is the oxford of Kerala, because of the number of educational institutions. There are two medical colleges owned by two different churches. A number of schools and colleges are offering innumerable courses for students. The problem is the rise of fundamentalism. Every religion is competing with each other and conversion is a hot issue. The Mar Thoma Church and Believers’ Church have their Headquarters here. Mar Thoma College (The first accredited College in Kerala), where Dr. Abraham Karickam was the Principal, is also in this city.

2.    Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge building needed in the area where your CC works?

In our particular area called Paippadu, there is a large Muslim population. There have been occasional clashes among various sections of the society. Any problem that occurs any where in the world will have its repercussions here. Iraq-Kuwait was also a hot issue as also the Babari Masjid problem. Christians are divided into umpteen sects and they fight one another. Conventions usually become a nuisance. So we need a strong line of inter-religious leaders who can uphold the social fabric intact.

3.    Please briefly describe the main activities or programs your CC is carrying out this year?

(i).   Conducting leadership training programs focusing 160 students in three local areas.

(II).   Counseling with training classes for youth on second, third and fourth Saturdays  of every month.

(III).   Celebrating all religious festivals.

(iv).   10 days continuous leadership training programs in every year.

(v).     Organizing religious speeches of  different leaders.

(vi).     Interfaith harmony programs.

(vii).    An interview with Golokananda Swami (Director of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram) and K.M.Isam Muhammad Moulawi (Payippadu Imam). The theme of the interview was ‘how can we improve interfaith relations among people?’. We are also waiting for the interview of Chrysostom Thirumeni in the same subject.

(viii). We have  given scholarship to a poor nursing student and now she is working.

 

(ix)  . Celebration of U.N Days.

 

Educational Assistance distributed by Rev. Dr. Charles Gibbs (Former executive Director)

(viv). We organized a Kudumbasree Unit named ‘Mother Teresa’ as a  women empowerment Project.

Members of our community attending an orientation program

(vv). Conducts medical camps

 

Free Medical Check up is a regular feature.

(vvi). URI Peace Centre conducts various camps and awareness programs for adults  and children , especially of socially deprived sections.

 Peace Pledge on UN International Day of Peace

Website Inauguration of URI Peace Center by Mar Coorilos Metropolitan

Summer Peace Building Training Institute for Youth

Ecumenical Students’ Conference inaugurated by Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos

Free Tuition for students is a regular feature at the URI Peace Centre

 

Class on Health and Hygiene

4.    Between which specific religions or cultures are bridges being built?

Peace Initiatives are for unity among Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Dalits. Aborinees have been fighting for ages for their rights. Caste system was very strong before and now we have been able to overcome the same to a great extent. Still the evil pervades among all sections of the society.

5.    Please explain the method or strategy that your CC uses to bring together people of different cultures and faiths that would otherwise not interact or cooperate with each other.

We organize leadership trainings programs to cultivate awareness regarding the necessity of  interfaith harmony. Our main aim is to bring together the people of different cultures and  Faiths through Saturday workshops in peace building, women empowerment through Kudumba Sree and celebrating religious festivals together. Our URI Peace centre is a nucleus of these activities.

6.    Given the current context you described, what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?

We want to build up powerful youth without any racial or religious prejudices. We wish to help the poor students for their education and also distribute study materials for them. Education is the best means for equality of our people. We are planning to help a poor family, who have no shelter for their house.

7.    How do you see your CC’s work improving cooperation among people of different traditions?

There is healthy cooperation among the members of different traditions since they have now learned to respect each other’s faith. Economic independence is the big challenge that we  face. Most of our people are agricultural laborers.

8.    How is the work of your CC helping to prevent religiously inspired violence or transforming conflict? (NOTE: This question is relevant only in areas with violence/open conflict.)

Our Peace Centre is a source of inspiration for all. All sections turn to us when there is even a small problem. Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilose of the Jacobite Church is our patron. He is a member of the WCC Central Committee.

9.    What are some observations or signs you see that relations are improving between people of different faiths/cultures in the area where your CC works?

When we celebrate religious festivals, all communities come together. Many persons and organizations come forward to host our programs on interfaith harmony. People irrespective of their religious differences support us for all important activities.

10.       Please share a specific short story about your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.

1.     One of our members was initial supporter of the URI Peace Center. In the meantime he had some mental depression and he began to hide himself from the public. But due to continuous interaction of URI team, he overcame the difficulties and became alright. Recently he published his book ‘Dasapushpangal’ (Collection of Poems).

2.     First URI Peace Centre in the world

                It was a few years ago that Dr. Abraham Karickam shared the idea of a URI Peace Centre in our area. He assured a donation of 1000 US dollars for the construction of a Peace Centre provided some one offered 2 cents land.  Joseph Chacko, our founder immediately sized           the opportunity and offered 2 cents of his  paternal property for the same. The title deed was made and the property was registered in the name of URI Peace Centre. URI San Francisco office offered 1000 dollars, with which we constructed a peace centre which has ever since become the nucleus of peace building in the area. It was our privilege to have Rev. Dr. Charles Gibbs who dedicated the building in the presence of Sally Mahe, Barbara Hartford and the whole URI moral imagination pilot team (the second session of MI training was here in Kerala) and also members of the second Holy Books Conference. This has the privilege of becoming the first URI peace centre in the world, though it is very small in proportion. 

11.        How is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?

URI works for the well being of the human beings and the Earth. All our programs are attuned to this mission. Our CC acts as a  supportive medium to bridge the gap among different religious communities. We work mainly among the youth, women and the Dalit Class.

12.       Within your CC, you have members from several different faiths and cultural traditions. How would you describe cooperation among your CC’s members? What are the challenges?

We encourage our members to deepen and grow in their own tradition and Faith. At the same time cooperation increases a lot among them. Many of the down trodden people come forward to leadership in all walks of life and they have leaned to respect all faith traditions. But still we have the challenges of identification with the main strata of the society. Marriage is a big problem for our girls, as there is still the caste feeling in many people around. Slowly we are trying to overcome all mental blocks.

13.       How is being part of URI helping your CC to achieve its goals?

     URI is the only team helping us to look forward. We learned from other CCs and we are trying to initiate new projects. We have the moral support of our regional hub for all our multifarious activities. We learn a lot from the experiences of other CCs also. Our members have attended several leadership programs and youth camps. We were able to conduct a Peace Building Training Institute for one week and Dr. Abraham Karickam was the Chief resource person. Joseph Chacko was able to attend the Mayapur Global Assembly at Calcutta. That was an unforgettable experience for him to meet with all world leaders from various religions and communities. That gave him great confidence to move forward with the feeling that a great community was always there to support him.

14.       Aside from funding, what are some specific ways URI can better support your CC in reaching its goals?

1.    We need more training for youth.  Peace building Workshops by URI is essential. We expect valuable instructions and proper guidance. 

2.    Our URI Peace Centre is the first of its kind in the world and it is still in its infancy. We are grateful to the  Global Office for the  generosity  to support grass root level organizations like this.

Compiled by T. G. Stephen and Sini. D 

CNN Raju addressing URI Executive Committee at URI office Karickam