Role of diocesan missionary prayer band to the development of Women tribals of kalrayan hills

Abstract

The church of South India in Kanyakumari District has been doing social development activities since 1947. One such section under the CSI Diocese is Diocesan Missionary Prayer Band. This mission has been involved in the empowerment of the tribal women in Kalrayan Hills. The western side of Salem, Vizhupuram, Dharmapuri and Thiruvannamalai districts have been encircled by fragments of mountains which are collectively known as Kalrayan Hills. These hill areas are occupied by the aborigines. The aborigines of these area, especially women are very backward and neglected. They were treated as slaves and bonded laboures. newline In 1977, the Diocesan Missionary Prayer Band under the leadership of Elias reached Kalrayan Hills and began social work. They began to educate the tribal women of this area. Schools were established to impart education. The tribal women were directed to enter the portals of these schools. The missionaries took measures to send these tribal women to the colleges also. Since there is no college in Kalrayan Hill area those tribal girls who had completed higher secondary course are being sent to the Diocesan Colleges like Women s Christian College, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil and Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam. Under the patronage of the mission many girls have been sent to Teacher Training Colleges and Nursing Colleges. Many tribal women who were cattle breeders have now become doctors, nurses and teachers. Economic conditions of the tribal women have also improved. Loans are advanced to the tribal women through Self Help Groups and the missionaries guide the tribal women to start Petti shops. Some of the tribal women are given training in tailoring. The sanitary condition of the area has been highly developed and drainage incompletely absent. Primary health centers have been started and those who are affected of diseases are taken to the primary health centers.