About Us

Mission

Organising and empowering the target groups consisting of small and marginal farmers, women, tribes, youth and children in the target area through participatory process of development

Vision

The Society has its Vision stated as “Self reliant and vibrant human communities living in a sustainable environment cherishing human values of love, justice, solidarity and human dignity as well as their equity in the social capital ascertained.

Objective

To ensure and support community based people’s organisations for development interventions. ·To build self-reliance among the people by mobilizing resources, capacity building, creating employment opportunities, increasing assets and ensuring economic security. · To assure social justice to the less fortunate members of the society who have been denied the same. ·To organise education and action research programmes.

Our History

  • 1974
    • Registration of Wayanad Social Service society under charitable societies registration act of 1860.
    • Started plant nursery near Bishops house for providing quality seedlings to the farmers in the Wayanad District
  • 1974
    -
    1978
    • Tribal Development Program in ThiunnellyGramaPanchayath
    • Mother and Child Health Program (MCH) with the support of Catholic Relief Service (CRS)
    • Family Sponsorship Program with the support of SAFP
  • 1978
    Comprehensive socio-economic survey of the North Wayanad region was conducted with the financial assistance of MISEREOR
  • 1978
    -
    1983
    This period could be considered as a high water mark in the history of Wayanad Social Service Society, during which burning issues like human rights, mobilization of tribals, Non Formal Education programme, unionization of tea estate workers, conscientisation and awareness building among the oppressed and deprived sections of society like tribals and women, and struggles like the Gudallur anti-eviction action were taken up actively.
  • 1983
    -
    1985
    Farmer based Programs: Organisation of the marginal and small farmers became an unavoidable necessity. This was because it was realized more and more that the genuine development of the people of Wayanad, whose vast majority belong to the agricultural community, can be attained only through the betterment of the socio-economic status of the farmers.
    Tribal Development Program: Along with agricultural development, WSSS initiated adult education programmes in tribal colonies. Night classes were conducted with the support of local leaders to make the tribal capable of reading, writing and doing basic arithmetic.
  • 1985
    The parish level local units - Social Welfare Societies (SWS) - constituted of different programme partner groups were accepted as the primary agents and authentic planning subjects of the society
  • 1985
    -
    1989
    Awareness generation programmes on social as well as health issues like HIV/AIDS, Alcoholism and Drug addiction etc. got high priority since its inception. Agricultural development through organic farming, natural resource management, watershed development and management, value added processing and marketing of agro products are visualized and materialized through peoples organisations.
  • 1989
    Inaugurated WSSS Office (New) on 16th January 1989
  • 1990
    1990 Spices Promotion Programs: In early 1990’s the Spices Board came to accept WSSS as a potential and credible partner and has been extending both technological and financial collaboration for spices development enlisting meaningful participation of the spices farming community.
  • 1993
    Inaugurated WSSS Training Centre on 12th August 1993 - This training centre was constructed with the support of Indo German Social Service Society.(IGSSS)
  • 1999
    Wayanad Social Service Society was introduced organic farm certification programe in the year 1999, concentrating in particular among the small & marginal farmers for their betterment in the overall context, highlighting ‘Sustainable Development’ as the motto.
  • 2000
    -
    2002
    In the year 2000 the Spices Board put forward a suggestion of starting a spices processing unit in Wayanad and prevailed upon WSSS to take up the venture. Accordingly, a modest spices processing unit was commissioned in 2002 in hired premises and temporary arrangements with WSSS discharging managerial and financial responsibilities of running it and engage in trade arising from it
  • 1993
    First Certified Farmers: 106 farmers was certified under Organic farm certification program
    Inaugurated Viaks Kendra (Residence for Directors) on 09th May 2002
  • 2002
    Started processing and marketing of certified organic produces form Spices Processing Centre, Dwaraka
  • 2004
    Jalanidhi Project: WSSS implemented Drinking and Sanitation Project at KoduvallyGramaPanchayath with the technical and financial support of KRWSA- World Bank funded project
    Tribal Sub Plan Project: WSSS implemented housing and sanitation projects in Thavinjal and EdavakaGramaPanchayaths with the support of Tribal Development Department
  • 2005
    -
    2006
    Service Provider of Organic Program: WSSS selected as the Service Provider for promoting Organic Program by National Centre for Organic Farming-NCOF also launched organic farming promotion program in Wayand District with the financial support of NCOF
    Vermi compost Unit Promotion: WSSS implemented promotion of vermin compost unit with the support of Spices Board
    Rain Water Harvesting System: WSSS introduced unique fero cement technology for harvesting rain water with the support of Ground Water Department
  • 2006
    -
    2007
    WSSS implemented organic promotion program in Wayanad District with the financial and technical support of Regional Centre for Organic Farming-RCOF
  • 2008
    WSSS conducted National Fodder Survey by using Participatory tools. This was supported by National Dairy Development Department.
  • 2008
    -
    2011
    WSSS implemented:-
    • National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP)
    • NABARD Watershed Development Program
    • NABARD WADI (Tribal Development Project)
    • NABARD MEDP Program
    • FVTRS Skill Development Trainings
    • Medicinal Plants Nursery supported by SHM
    • NABARD Farm Club Promotion Activities
    • NABARD CAT Program
    • Dairy Development Program with the support of Italian Bishops Conference
  • 2009
    • Inaugurated WSSS Community Radio Station (Radio Mattoli) 25th July 2009 by Mr. M.I.Shanavas MP
  • 2012
    • Foundation stone laid by Minister K.P. Mohanan on 09th January 2012 for Biowin Agro Processing Centre.
  • 2011
    -
    2014
    WSSS implemented:-
    • NABARD WADI (Tribal Development Project-Thavinjal)
    • UP NRM Project- NABARD
    • Agro Processing Centre-KINFRA
    • Coffee Processing Centre- Coffee Board
    • Women SHG Program- NABARD
    • Friends of Coconut Tree Training- Coconut Development Board
    • Farm Club Promotion: NABARD
    • Vikaspedia- Ministry of Information Technology
    • NaiRoshni Skill Training- Ministry of Minority
    • Organic Farm Certification Program- Spices Board
    • Jalanidhi Project Edavaka- KRWSA, World Bank
    • Pipe Compost- Kerala Sujitwa Mission
    • Organized KLM District Seminar
  • 2014
    • Inaugurated Biowin Agro Research by Minister P.K. Jayalekshmi on 10th October 2014
    • National Centre for Organic Farming appointed WSSS as the Regional Council for Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)
  • 2015
    • Laid foundation stone for New Training Centre @ WSSS compound on 01/01/2015
    • WSSS selected for Implementing DDU GKY Training Programs in the state. Also started Skill Development courses
    • Started Administration Office of Biowin on 08th September 2015
    • Inaugurated WSSS Training Centre (New) on 31st October 2015
  • 2016
    • WSSS selected as the training institution for conducting Rural Immersion Program for newly appointed NABARD Officials
    • Organized Financial Literacy Campaigns
    • Organized TRIFED Training programs
    • Organized KSSF Development Retreat at WSSS
  • 2017
    • FPO district level seminar @ WSSS organized by NABARD for newly formed tribal producer organizations
    • RAWE program of BSc Agriculture Students form Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram
    • Ashakrianam Project Launching at WSSS
    • Organized WSSS organic fest at Sulthan Bathery
    • Implemented Jalsamwad (Water Campaign of NABARD) program at WSSS
    • Swiss National Radio recorded WSSS Organic program
  • 2018
    • Introduced Sureksha Project in WSSS
    • Distribution of Electrical pottery wheel with the financial support of KVIC
    • KFW-German Bank officials visited WSSS and Biowin
    • Organized NABARD MEDP Training programs
    • Organized skill development Workshops with the support of NIEPMD
    • Distributed Turmeric Seeds to Tribal SHG Members with the support of Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR)
    • Organized World Youth Skill Day Celebration at WSSS
    • Organized NABARD Rural Immersion Program
    • Flood relief and rehabilitation Works with the support of UNICEF, World Health Organization, Caritas India, CRS, United Way, HCL, SIEMENS, Aarathi Foundation, CNEWA, Goonj India etc
  • 2019
    • Implemented SAFP Golden Jubilee Housing Project
    • Started NABARD KfW Soil projects in Mattilayam and Porlom Watersheds
    • Started DDU GKY residential course @ Boys Town
    • Constructed 30 houses for tribal community with the support of SELAVIP
    • Flood relief and rehabilitation Works with the support of Caritas India, CNEWA, Welfare Services Ernakulam, KCBC etc
    • Bishops from North Malabar Region visited WSSS
    • Organized Rural Immersion Program
  • 2020
    • COVID 19 Response projects with the support of Italian Bishops Conference, CARITAS INDIA and CNEWA
    • Launching of EShakti project with the support of NABARD
    • Organized Sanitation Campaign with the support of NABARD
    • Started Samrudhakudumbam project with the support of Biowin Agro Research
    • Organized LEDP training program with the support of NABARD
    • Implemented soil and water conservation measures in Mattilayam and Porlom Watershed under NABARD KfW soil project
    • Promotion of Beekeeping, organic vegetable cultivation , tuber cultivation, mulching and legumes as part of NABARD KfW Soil projects