Mangaluru: Department of Social Work, St Aloysius College (Autonomous) initiated six Field Action Projects in order to reach out to the needy individuals of society.

These projects were inaugurated by Dr Ronald Fernandes, Bureau Chief of Deccan Herald, Mangaluru. The programme was presided by Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal of St Aloysius College (Autonomous).

Dr Ronald Fernandes in his message motivated the students and staff to carry out these projects successfully without expecting any reward. He also highlighted the need for initiating such projects and congratulated the department for this initiative.

Fr Praveen Martis SJ in his presidential address urged the students to know the theory behind these initiatives and said that it is important to have a head, heart and hand to implement the projects. He appreciated the staff and students for the idea and assured the support in carrying out these projects.

The following projects are initiated by the department

• ‘Swaraksha’- Education to Children on Sexual Abuse. Through this Project school children will be educated on sexual abuse and the support systems. Children vulnerable for abuse will be counseled and school teachers, parents will be educated on POCSO Act

• ‘Niyukti’- Soft Skills for Job Readiness is a project to train the Youth today to learn job interviews skills to face the competitive world

• ‘Nirmaan’- Project for Children of Commercial Sex Workers of Mangalore with the focus on comprehensive growth of children

• Swasthya- Adolescent Health Action Project. Through this project awareness will be created through educational programmes on health for educational institutions-management, faculty(teachers), parents and students

• ‘Poshan’- Concern for Environment. This is the project to promote and maintain the greenery in the city of Mangalore

• ‘Mukthi’- Awareness on Drug Abuse and Prevention. This project will be implemented in order to prevent the children from use of drugs

Projects will be implemented by the faculty hence principal symbolically handed over the project files to each staff.

Shwetha Rasquinha, HOD- MSW and Deena DSouza, HOD-BA Social Work were present on the dais. NGO partners collaborating with the Social Work department in implementing the projects and students of PG and UG Social Work were present for the programme.