By Sabin Sebastian, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: A group of Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) social work students did their one month internship (November 2014) in Jammu and Kashmir to help the flood affected people under the leadership of Catholic Social Service Society (CSSS) of the Diocese of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Director of CSS Justin Thiraviam introduced ADBU students of social work to the Programme co-ordinator Mrs. Madhulika who welcomed them saying, “you have reached in the right time.”
Mrs Madhulika explained the aim, objectives and mission of CSSS saying, “Our humanitarian services are directed to school drop-outs, women for self-help groups for sustaining the family and society, to the down trodden and needy people victims of natural and un-naturally calamities in Jammu and Kashmir State.”
The local unit animators Mrs. Gita and Neelam assisted the trainees for the survey work in the flood damaged peoples home. Around 200 families who were affected by the flood hit were identified from thirteen villages of Mandal, Marhe, Pallainallha, Satwari Blocks such as Tohf, Sum, Mandal, Parladpur, Haripur, Nai Basti, Kallian, Jwalapur, Nandani, Gandu, Surachaos, Thalwal, Khandwal villages.
The daily activities which ADBU students undertook included distribution of food provisions and materials for livelihood, personal visits, survey, interview and medical assistance provided for their good health.
While sharing the Kashmir experience John Poji, one of the students, said, “It was a painful and shocking experience of the flood affected people. Some people lost everything of their hard earned labour and livelihood. Their worry, anxiety and fear of the unknown future still haunts me.”