Wayanad Social Service Society

WSSS oversees community-based organizations known as "Social Welfare Society" (SWS) that serve as platforms for group dynamics and collaborative efforts towards community development. These societies are envisioned as village-level federations of Self Help Groups and Joint Liability Groups, aiming to mobilize people and resources at the grassroots level and strengthen local communities. Social Welfare Societies (SWS) operate as democratically driven community organizations established by the people, with the purpose of pooling resources, exchanging information, and providing mutual support, services, and care. They also function as federations of Self Help Groups.
Social Welfare Societies (SWS) engage in various developmental activities within their areas, including income generation, social development initiatives, and village awareness programs. By maintaining a robust and disciplined microfinance and credit system, they encourage savings, capacity building, and positive credit behavior among resource-poor individuals. Currently, there are 65 SWS, along with 1,145 Self Help Groups and 324 Joint Liability Groups actively functioning in the operational area of WSSS. This network has a total membership of 11,546 families, showcasing the impactful role of these organizations in fostering community development and empowerment.

Wayanad Social Service Society (WSSS) stands as a pioneering organization in the promotion of organic agriculture and the Organic Agriculture Certification Program in Kerala. Commencing in the year 2000 with 109 organic farmers, the program has now expanded to encompass 19,774 farmers across 1,144 villages in various parts of Wayanad and two Panchayaths (Cherankod and Nellakkotta) from the Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu. Covering a total area of 15,819.17 hectares, 8,860 farms with 6,325.26 hectares are certified organic, while others are in the conversion stage. Notably, this constitutes the largest Small Farmer’s Group Certification Programme in Kerala.
WSSS's approach to organic agriculture aims to promote the sustainability of small and marginal farmers, fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle, and ensuring sustainable farms. Adopting an integrated approach to the entire farming system, the program focuses on all aspects of production, processing, value addition, and marketing. This inclusive strategy generates awareness and learning within the farming community, enabling them to seize opportunities in the global market economy amid persistent agricultural challenges.
Certification is conducted by accredited bodies such as LACON Certification Agency, Onecert Asia Agri Certification, and Indocert Certifications under APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Products Export Development Authority), Government of India. The organic agriculture production under the Internal Control System (ICS) of WSSS complies with organic production methods defined by various regulations, including (EEC) No 889/2008, USDA, JAS, and NPOP, Government of India. Additionally, farmers are certified by Rainforest Alliance (RA) and Fair Trade certification from FLOCERT, Germany.

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) serves as the skilling and placement initiative led by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India. Census 2011 revealed that India possesses 55 million potential workers aged between 15 and 35 years in rural areas. Simultaneously, the world is anticipated to encounter a shortage of 57 million workers by 2020. This situation provides a historic opportunity for India to leverage its demographic surplus and transform it into a demographic dividend. In alignment with this national agenda for inclusive growth, the Ministry of Rural Development implements DDU-GKY to enhance the skills and productive capacity of rural youth from economically disadvantaged families.
DDU-GKY's implementation involves collaboration with State Governments, Technical Support Agencies such as the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD & PR), and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). By engaging these entities, t

To address the issue of unemployment among girls who have completed school, Wayanad Social Service Society initiated a vocational training course in tailoring at its office campus 18 years ago. The course strictly adhered to government syllabus and training norms. Upon successful completion, trainees were eligible for government certificates, enabling them to seek employment as tailoring teachers in schools.
Recently, the government revised the course, upgrading certain subjects and introducing new ones to align with the evolving demands of the garment sector, which is experiencing steady progress. While the duration of the certificate course remains two years, the vocational trade's name has changed to 'Fashion Designing & Garment Technology.' This course has received approval from the Kerala State Technical Education Department.
The subjects underwent a thorough revision, with several new additions such as Embroidery, Painting, Basic Computer Education, and Spoken English. The aim is

Since 2006, NABARD has been supporting need-based skill development programs called Micro Enterprises Development Programs (MEDPs) for matured Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that already have access to finance from banks. MEDPs are on-location skill development training programs designed to address skill deficits or optimize production activities already pursued by SHG members. Grants are provided to eligible training institutions and Self-Help Promoting Institutions (SHPIs) to offer skill development training in farm/off-farm/service sector activities, leading to the establishment of micro-enterprises either on an individual basis or as a group.
WSSS has also been partnering with NABARD since 2010 to implement the MEDP program. WSSS organizes MEDP programs in soap and detergent making, herbal medicine preparation, umbrella making, dry flower making, saree painting, ornamental making, and paper bag making. Following the training, many SHGs and individuals have started Income Generation Units,

Wayanad Social Service Society has initiated a Livelihood and Enterprise Development Program (LEDP) in Thavinjal and Thondernadu Grama Panchayath, aiming to empower tribal women to become self-entrepreneurs with exceptional skills to succeed and serve as catalysts for generating more employment opportunities. In this project, 150 tribal women from 12 tribal colonies in Thavinal and Tondarnad Grama Panchayats were identified to benefit from the scheme. These women underwent a four-day training program conducted by expert doctors. Following the training, the 150 women were organized into 32 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
Subsequently, Wayanad Social Service Society facilitated credit linkage for these 32 JLGs through Canara Bank, Thalapuzha Branch. All 18 JLG members used the credit to purchase goats and initiated Income Generating Programs (IGPs). Additionally, the society organized exposure visits to Good shepherd Goat Farm in Cherupuzha to further enhance the knowledge and skills of t

Health promotion, prevention, and the provision of quality treatment are crucial strategies in tackling the burden of cancer. While the first two strategies require continuous effort over several years to yield the expected impact, the latter necessitates the development of appropriate and accessible health infrastructure and technology for the delivery of quality care. In the interim, providing relief to thousands of terminal patients can be achieved through low-cost approaches, particularly through community-based strategies.
To combat cancer and other life-threatening diseases, Caritas India has been spearheading various initiatives through the Ashakiranam project across the country. Recently, the Mananthavady Diocese and Wayanad Social Service Society have also collaborated with Caritas India in this distinctive project. Wayanad Social Service Society has successfully implemented numerous cancer and killer disease prevention programs, with their organic farming initiative notably a

Save A Family Plan (SAFP) is a commendable initiative with a wide-ranging impact, encompassing numerous innovative programs dedicated to societal development. At the heart of SAFP lies the Family Development program, in which Wayanad Social Service Society actively participates. This program is designed to empower adopted families, fostering self-reliance by enhancing their living standards and enabling them to engage in income-generating activities. The overarching goal is to provide these families with the tools and resources needed to become self-sufficient, while also facilitating the mobilization of social and community support services for family-based developmental projects. Currently, 265 families are benefiting from this impactful project, showcasing the tangible difference being made in the lives of individuals and communities through SAFP and the dedicated efforts of organizations like Wayanad Social Service Society.