Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Hosadurga

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Organization was founded in the year 1877 by Helen de Chappotin in Otacamund, Tamil Nadu in India. We are a group of w Read moreomen, of all races and social classes of 76 different nationalities working for the empowerment and liberation of the poor. Today the Organization has 115 branches in India dedicating its services especially to the poorest of the poor section of the society living in the remote villages of India. In Karnataka, we work in 5 Districts – Chamarajnagar, Gulbarga, Tumkur, Udupi and Chitradurga. Nisarga a Branch of Franciscan Sisters of Mary was started in Hosadurga, Chitradurga District, Karnataka State in the year 1998. A general survey of the taluk showed that Hosadurga is: Drought prone area Lack facilities of Health, Hygiene and Sanitation Schedule caste and tribes are high High illiteracy especially among women High school dropouts / Child labour Gender discrimination Caste system Poverty Migration Superstitious beliefs etc.,  Hosadurga is constantly exposed to harsh agro-climatic hazards of arid zone. With shallow and poor soils, the area is drought-prone receiving 400 to 500 mm of rainfall in 35 rainy days from June to October. It is also identified under the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and experiences drought every alternate year. Due to the failure of the monsoon during the past 4 years, it is once again declared as a drought-affected district. 90% of the people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and most of the cultivated area is under rain-fed. Vision:  An integrally developed just and equitable society living in harmony with nature Mission : Restoring the dignity of the poor and the marginalized through the process of empowerment and promoting sustainable environment. OBJECTIVES OF NISARGA: Promotion of Community-Based Organizations and their Capacity building. Prevention of School dropouts/ bonded labourers /trafficking of children Promotion of Education Taking up social issues of women and the village community Implementation of Watershed programme Promotion of Environment / Ecology Promotion of Health, hygiene and sanitation Networking with Governmental & Non Governmental organizations.