In 2000, The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch decided to undertake the development of Mar Thoma ITC for the deaf in Kasaragod, Kerala as a Silver Jubilee year project. It was indeed time to seek new dimensions to our calling as a witnessing church for it is through Mission and Outreach a church can manifest the love of Jesus.
In 2000, The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch decided to undertake the development of Mar Thoma ITC for the deaf in Kasaragod, Kerala as a Silver Jubilee year project. It was indeed time to seek new dimensions to our calling as a witnessing church for it is through Mission and Outreach a church can manifest the love of Jesus.
Background
The ITC is located in a small village called Badiadka about 20km away from Kasaragod at the northern most tip of Kerala. It is an underdeveloped, trilingual locality, a meeting place of Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu speaking people. Kasaragod is one of the most underdeveloped districts of Kerala. Socially, educationally and economically, Kasaragod is behind other districts. Badiadka is the most underdeveloped village of the Kasaragod District. The community of this village is predominantly Hindus, some Muslims, and practically no Christians.
Economy is agrarian, depending mainly on cash crops. Most land holdings are very small and the area is considered extremely backward by the prevailing standards of Kerala. Educational facilities up to High School level are available. Medical facilities are meager. Recreational facilities, especially for youth and children, do not exist.
The concentration of the disabled is higher in this district (over 5%). Lack of proper health care, undernourishment, malnutrition, sanitary problems, contagious diseases, social problems like child marriages, and marriages among the blood relatives are some of the reasons for the higher rate of disability.
All categories of disability: hearing impairment, learning disability, physical handicaps, and blindness are very common here. Social evils like the caste system still prevail in Badiadka. 50,000 people belong to various tribes and 60,000 people belong to schedule castes. Five percent of the total population is higher castes and they own a major part of the land. Most of the tribes are bonded laborers. Graduates in this area are 5% of whom majority are among higher castes. More than 75% of people are unemployed or underemployed. Suicide rate is higher in this area. Addiction to alcohol and drugs is an increasing phenomenon. Rehabilitation of the ‘exceptional’ people is an urgent need of this place. Equally important is community development to have proper health care, employment opportunities, and other programs to wipe out social evils.
Project History
The care of the handicapped is not merely to educate them. For a hearing-impaired child, or any other exceptional person, the need of getting gainfully employed is equally important. Hence, under the auspices of the Kunnamkulam Malabar Diocese of the Mar Thoma church, a society called SEARCH (The Society to Educate, Aid, Rehabilitate and Care the Handicapped) was registered in 1992 for initiating rehabilitation programs for the handicapped in North Kerala.
SEARCH established the ITC with some basic necessities such as a shed and equipment to get two training courses started. ITC is located on a 17-acre freehold land of which about 10 acres are hard laterite and the rest suitable for agriculture. The land directly abuts the Kasaragod-Pttar State Highway and is barely 1 km away from the village center. Agriculture is carried out under the supervision of the resident Farm Assistant. There are three open wells a number of ponds, and a bore well. Three-phase power supply is available on the premises. The ITC is affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and recognized by the Kerala Government and awards Kerala Government Certificate in Engineering (KGCE) and State Technical Education Department (STED). Presently, a two-year Electrician Course, and two-year Wireman Course are conducted here.
Our Commitment
The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch stands firm on its commitment to develop the ITC as a world class institution of its kind, a beacon of hope for the deaf and the handicapped. WE will support the institution through our prayers as well as financial and technical resources. The members of our church have the opportunity to visit, stay and work in this mission field. Most importantly, this Mission and Outreach project will enable us to let our light shine before men, that they may see the good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.