SMSSS

SIVAGANGAI MULTIPURPOSE SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY

PARAMAKUDI

Most Rev. Dr. L. Anandam, President

Rev. Fr. V. Jesuraja, Secretary & Treasurer

Mr. B. Louis, Vice President

Founded in 1985, the Sivagangai Multipurpose Social Service Society (SMSSS) is the official social work organisation of the Diocese of Sivagangai. It promotes social development programmes in the Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu. We envision “Total Human Liberation” for the communities we serve—freeing them from the deep-rooted challenges of socio-economic, socio-political, and socio-cultural dependency and oppression.

Since its inception, SMSSS has worked with marginalised and vulnerable communities such as Dalits, fishermen, rural women, at-risk children, school dropout youth, and other distressed individuals, enabling them to overcome their challenges through a collective and participatory approach.

SMSSS is recognised as one of the pioneering non-profit organisations in Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts.

  • During the 1980s and early 1990s, its focus was on charitable and educational support programmes.
  • From the mid-1990s onwards, it shifted toward development programmes.
  • Currently, the organisation prioritises empowerment of vulnerable and marginalised communities.

SMSSS was legally registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, on October 7, 1985 (Registration No. 21/1985). It is also registered under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1960, and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA No. 075990024).

Mission

To organise, educate, and consolidate target communities for collective action in bringing sustainable change in social, economic, medical, educational, and environmental spheres.

Governing Board

S. No. Name Designation
1 Most Rev. Dr. L. Anandam President
2 Mr. B. Louis Vice President
3 Rev. Fr. V. Jesuraja Secretary & Treasurer
4 Rev. Fr. J. Kiritharan Member
5 Rev. Fr. S. Britto Jeyabalan Member
6 Rev. Fr. Arockisamy Member
7 Rev. Fr. S. Sebastian Member
8 Mrs. M. Michalammal Member
9 Mrs. Sebastin Leela Member
10 Mrs. N. Ramalakshmi Member
11 Mrs. Rani Member
12 Mr. V. Sebastian Member
13 Mrs. K. Ruby Member
14 Mrs. Kavithamary Member
15 Mrs. J. Arockia Stella Member

What We Do

1. Socioeconomic Empowerment

  • Conduct skill training programmes and provide economic support for rural and coastal women from underprivileged backgrounds.
  • Over 9,200 women and 3,640 youth have been trained in various vocational skills.
  • Many beneficiaries have secured employment or started individual and group enterprises through financial assistance.
  • Current training includes tailoring, coir-making, and driving for disadvantaged youth.
  • Established an Industrial Training Institute in the 1990s; 1,420 youth have graduated with government-recognised certification.
  • Promotes savings and credit initiatives through 979 Self-Help Groups (11,434 members) and 12 women federations.

2. Social Entitlements and Protection

  • Formed:
    • Agricultural Labourers Development Movement (ALDM)
    • Fish Workers Development Movement (FWDM)
  • Established grassroots institutions such as:
    • Village Development Committees
    • Youth Associations
    • Self-Help Groups
    • Children’s Clubs
  • Active across 16 panchayat unions.
  • Supported Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in six camps in Sivagangai district.
  • Assisted 272 non-resident Tamils in registering with the Welfare Board.
  • Conducts awareness programmes on safe and legal migration.

3. Community Infrastructure and Amenities

  • Provided safe drinking water facilities to 82 villages.
  • Implemented rainwater harvesting in 22 villages.
  • Addressed housing issues:
    • Built houses for 62 homeless families
    • Currently supporting 8 families with new housing construction

4. Children Development

  • Works to prevent child marriage, trafficking, and school dropouts.
  • Promotes child protection programmes in collaboration with government initiatives.
  • Established Children’s Parliaments in 64 villages with 2,086 children.
  • Encourages leadership, democratic participation, and collective responsibility among children.

5. Community Health

  • Conducted de-addiction programmes benefiting 64 individuals, supported by Fondazione Museke.
  • Organised 122 menstrual health awareness programmes with 2,240 participants.
  • In collaboration with Caritas India, implemented the “Ezhuvom Iyakkam” project:
    • Identified 98 cancer patients
    • Facilitated treatment and family support

6. Relief and Rehabilitation

  • Post-2004 Tsunami: supported over 20,000 coastal people.
  • COVID-19 relief: assisted 6,280 families with food supplies.
  • December 2025: supported 300 cyclone-affected families in Rameswaram.

7. Other Essential Programmes

  • Established Nallaayan Milk Chilling & Processing Plant (2025) at Kalayarkoil with support from Conferenza Episcopale Italiana.
  • Promotes women entrepreneurship through the “Magizh” programme, enabling market access and credit-based sales within SHGs.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Best NGO Award – Mahalir Thittam (2004–2005)
  • Appreciation Award – Vocational Training for Differently Abled (2006)
  • Manimegalai Award – Best SHG Training (2007)
  • Best Women Leader Awards – Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (2008)
  • Best Implementation Award – Vazhikattum Thittam (2009)
  • Best Panchayat-Level Federation Award (2019)
  • Best Model in Organic Farming – Ananda College (2020)
  • Heritage Impact Award – Skill Modernisation (2024)
  • Certificate of Appreciation – Skill Training Promotion (2025)

Contact Information

Rev. Fr. V. Jesuraja
Secretary
Sivagangai Multipurpose Social Service Society (SMSSS)
3/574, Bagawathsingh Road
Paramakudi – 623707
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

📞 +91 4564 290605 / +91 97867 43570 / +91 99945 87972
📧 smssspmk@gmail.com

 

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