Community
Outreach Programme (CORP)
For twenty-five years CORP (Community Outreach Programme)
has been telling people to go fish. Or in other words to
fend for themselves! Because at CORP we believe that self
sufficiency, not dependence is the key to a life of dignity
and self respect. This is the belief that gave birth to
CORP and is the common thread that binds all it’s activities
through the last two decades.
Beginning with three staff members and a four year grant
from the world hunger project of Methodist churches in
Southern Asia , today CORP has grown one hundred.
It’s programmes
focus on one of the most deprived and neglected sections
of society- the slum dwellers of Mumbai. Activities stretch
from Kaner near Virar to Dharavi, Jogeshwari, Kurla, Matunga,
Thane, Ambernath…all the ways to Talegaon.
CORP’s dedicated staff is often drawn from the very communities
they serve. Which means they can better understand and empathize
with the problems of the people they work with. In fact
CORP owes most of it’s achievements to it’s team of committed
and trained individuals. They have worked tirelessly to
improve conditions in the slums where health, education
and poverty are some of the fundamental issues that CORP
has chosen to tackle head- on.
Programmes
for children
The hopeless cry of a neglected child can be the most haunting
sound in the world. To ignore it is to ignore our own tomorrow.
CORP reaches out to touch the lives of these children through
it’s various services and programmes.
Creches
and Day Care Centres
Children of working mothers are provided with safe, caring
environments so that they are not neglected while family
members are busy. Knowing are their children are being well
looked after while they are working enables many women to
step outside the home to earn a living.
Pre-school
and non formal Education
The child lives in a world of wonder. Unfortunately it’s
curiosity and spirit are often crushed by a lack of opportunity.
To counteract this CORP provides non- formal education programmes.
To combat scholastic backwardness and drop- outs regular
coaching classes are held. Extra- curricular recreational
activities, competitions and sports meets are also important
parts of CORP’s activities for baccha log.
Sponsorship
Programmes
This programme is designed to reduce school drop-outs who
either have only one living parent or parents too incapacitated
to earn a living. Providing medical aid and employment assistance
is part of this programme.
Reaching
out to street children
Of all the deprived children in our society, the street
child is the most vulnerable. Many are runaways and have
no roof over their heads. CORP reaches below the age of
fifteen through it’s day care programme. Recreational facilities,
a mobile medical unit and non-formal vocational training
form part of this programme. Each child is also given a
shared locker for safe keeping of his belongings.
CORP has
a center for the handicapped and caters to the educational
and medical needs of the deaf and Orthopaedically handicapped.
A physiotherapist visits community based rehabilitation
centers once a week and local health workers have been trained
to conduct regular exercise sessions.
Physically handicapped children are operated on to correct
defects. Calipers, prosthetic and hearing aids are provided
where necessary. Mentally handicapped children are identified
and referred to appropriate institutions.
Vocational
training for youth
The youth
of a nation determine the quality of its future. To promote
feeling of self worth and confidence amongst them CORP provides
them with training in leadership skills. It teaches them
to shoulder responsibilities through youth clubs and vocational
training. Garments making, beautician, mehendi application
course and farming methods are some of the skills taught.
The vocational training institute at Talegaon also conducts
electrical wireman, auto-repair and welding courses.
This project
offers invaluable opportunities for the youth to become
economically self- sufficient and provides them with a sense
of purpose.
Empowering
Woman
Economic
independence is the key to raising the social status of
women. CORP tries to achieve this priority objective by
focusing on education and financial independence.
Regular
meetings and discussions promote awareness of health, hygiene,
nutrition, women’s rights, communal harmony and other issues
that have a direct impact on women’s lives.
Health and Nutrition
Traditionally
women receive the least healthcare. CORP ensures that a
visiting gynecologist is available at the community centres
every month to attend to personal health problems and expectant
mothers. Follow up care is provided by local health workers.
Cooking
classes teach women about low cost balanced meals while
a community kitchen provides nutritious food to children
and lactating mothers.
Community Care
The community
care and counseling center regularly follows up cases of
women with problems either through police intervention or
through the family.
The women
contribute their savings to a special revolving fund which
can be utilized by them in times of need.
Solutions
to problems are worked out together with the local leadership.
Awareness
on issues like AIDS, Alcoholism and Dowry is generated through
street plays.
Training and Development
To motivate
and enrich each worker, on the job training is provided
to all members of CORP. Senior staff also conduct workshops
for the training of other social organisations.
Looking
back
In the
words of Mr. Nitin M. Shinde, Director, CORP….”…. The CORP
family can feel proud of it’s achievements. The changes
in attitudes, the insights gained, the experiences shared
will continue to influence many to carry on…. There have
been difficulties also. Lack of funds, of trained personnel,
of space…. but we have survived. Thanks to all the supports
we have received and continue to receive…sometimes from
distant places and people we know little about….”.
Looking Forward
The journey
that began twenty five years ago still continues.. and as
long as people continues to care and to value human lives
CORP will continue to nurture the spirit of self reliance
that exists in every human being…reaching out, touching
and transforming lives.
Future
plans include…
Night shelter
for boys and expansion of our shelter for girls, provision
of technical/ vocational trainings, researching out to individual
& families affected by HIV/ AIDS.
Contact us
Community
Outreach Programme (CORP)
Methodist Centre 1st floor
21 YMCA Road
Mumbai central
Mumbai - 400008
Karmayogi : Ms. Rosamma George, Jr. Programme Coordinator
Bishop Sampath Kumar
Tel: 23086789
Fax : 23073406
E-mail: corp_india@yahoo.co.in
, nancy_george12@hotmail.com
Website: www.corpindia.org
