KISMAT, an initiative by the Salesians of Don Bosco is based on the 3 pillars of ‘Protect, Enrich and Empower’- the lives of the migrant workers with food support, safe shelter, and educational materials for the migrant children. The KISMAT TEAM along with BREADS Bangalore were part of the Quarterly review meeting of the KISMAT initiative at Don Bosco (DB) College Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala on 6-7th February 2021. Fr Tony Varghese SDB, Director KISMAT gave the welcome address. This was followed by the presidential address delivered by Fr Joy Nedumparambil SDB, Executive Director BREADS Bangalore. Dignitaries such as the DLO, Labour Department, Thrissur; Dr. Girish Menon, Psychiatrist; Mr. K.K. Raju, Excise Department VIMUKTHI Mission Project Coordinator delivered the keynote addresses which highlighted the importance of the project to extend support to the migrant workers.
These were followed by the KISMAT MHD (Migrant Help Desk) Presentations from the districts of Kollam, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Trivandrum, and Wayanad by their respective district coordinators. Ms. Sandhya, the State Coordinator, KISMAT- along with the district coordinators provided valuable insights on the interventions. Later in the day Fr Joy along with Fr Saji, Director, ChildLine Trivandrum addressed a session on creative intervention and group dynamics. Strategies on how to aim at policy level changes in favour of the migrant workers, creating convergence among the Labour, Health and police department across the state as well as entering into dialogue with people in authority, administration, and civil society were focal areas of discussion. Fr Dr. Mathew Kapplikunnel SDB, Rector DB Thrissur, and Fr Dr. Raju Chakkanattu, SDB Principal DB College, Mannuthy felicitated everyone on their achievements and advocacy.
