(MissionNewswire) The Kerala Interstate Migrants Alliance for Transformation project has been intervening in the lives of the interstate migrants across Kerala, India, by setting up migrant help desks in 11 districts. These help desks provide support services and legal assistance to migrant laborers, especially those who have been isolated and marginalized.

To ensure effective execution of the project, Don Bosco institutions across the selected districts have partnered with BREADS – Bangalore Rural Education and Development Society. All the activities are centrally coordinated and replicated across the state through the state office at Don Bosco Veedu, located in Trivandrum.

There was recently a meeting to assess the project’s success over its first 18 months in operation. The evaluation meeting was organized by Don Bosco Veedu and held at the Don Bosco College in Sultan Bathery, Kerala.

Father Sojan, from HOD Social Work, educated project coordinators about social work and its importance among migrant workers. He encouraged coordinators to read more journals, articles and books related to migration, which will enhance their knowledge and guide them in their practical work among the migrants. Fr. Sojan also advocated that the project become a replicable model for the entire state of Kerala.

Further, Fr. Sojan noted, “Every small activity and component is as important as doing the work itself. Social justice, competence, integrity, network rapport and keeping up with the science of the times are also important factors for this project and its staff.”

During the meeting, project coordinators presented reports on the activities, strategies and progress of the project in their respective districts. The drawbacks and geographical challenges of each district were discussed and workarounds identified. The state team presented a consolidated report on the impact and outcomes of the overall projects across districts.

Discussing the way forward, the project teams were guided by the state team on the changes to be adopted for making a critical impact on the lives of the migrants. In the coming months, the team decided to focus on the formation of Panchayat-level Migrant Welfare Committees in all the 11 districts to create a complete database of the migrants at the local police stations, and ensure a clean, healthy and dignified life for the interstate migrants.

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22 percent of the country lives in poverty. About 31 percent of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. A multidimensionally poor child is one who lacks at least one-third of 10 indicators, grouped into three dimensions of poverty: health, education and standard of living.

Salesian programs across India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – India – Creating positive ecosystem for interstate migrants in Kerala

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India