The organization started its journey in the year 1988 when the Diocese of Shimoga was formed which comprised of the districts of Shimoga and Chitradurga and in this year itself SAFP and MCH programmes were transferred to the Diocese of Shimoga from CMSSS. In the year 1989, SMSSS got established and registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1969 and Rev. Fr. Mark Patrick D’Silva was appointed as the first Director of SMSSS. In 1992, Credit Union Federation was formed at Sagar. Rev. Fr. Clement D’Souza was appointed as the second director of SMSSS in year 1994.
The organization launched Integrated Child Development Programme in the year 1997. In 1999, Rev. Fr. Gilbert Lobo was appointed as the Asst. Director of SMSSS and in the same year itself first Diocesan level International Women’s Day was celebrated.
In the year 2000, Rev. Dr. Gerald I. Lobo was consecrated as the Second Bishop of Shimoga and became ex-officio President of SMSSS. In the same year training was imparted to the staff and community level on Panchayat Raj and 30 women were elected for Gram Panchayat.
In the year 2001, Lump sum Loan Scholarship programme was launched. Women Empowerment Programme was extended to Honnali Taluk of Davanagere District in 2002. Child Rights Programme was launched in 5 Gram Panchayats of Shimoga taluk in 2003 and in the same year, Karnataka Open School programme was launched in collaboration with J.S.S. Mysore and K.S.E.E.B.
In the year 2004, SMSSS got 12A Registration for Income Tax Exemption. In 2005, 100 houses were constructed which were supported by Manos Unidas. In the same year more than 500 SHG women contested for Panchayat elections out of which 182 were elected. Also in 2005, Chaitanya building was inaugurated and SMSSS office was shifted to the new premises.
The development program of SMSSS was extended to Holalkere in 2006. The first SNEHA KOOTA was given to loan scholarship beneficiaries.
In year 2006, Systematic Capacity Building Programmes for the staff of SMSSS were launched. In 2008, Micro finance and Micro Enterprises programme was launched and in 2009, Sanitation Programme was launched.
Thus the organization has a very long and rich history that provides an ongoing motivation to the management and staff of SMSSS.
Major Milestones
In the year 1991, 13 Credit Unions were formed and in the same year first Housing construction/house repair and toilet scheme was introduced.
In 1997, SMSSS got FCRA registration and in the same year, various Women Empowerment Programmes were launched with the concept of SHGs. In this year, Akshara Thunga, a literacy programme was also launched in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka.
J.F.P.M. and Water shed programmes – environment program were also launched for the first time in 1998.
In 2000, the organization organized their perspective planning and in 2002, a workshop on Strategic Planning was organized for SMSSS.
Decennial Celebration of Shimoga Diocesan Self Help Group Federation was organized in 2003.
In the year 2006, HIV/AIDS- Sneha programme was launched. Fr. Veeresh V. Moras was appointed as the Director of SMSSS in 2006 and in the same year Grassroots level federations were formed comprising all the SHGs at panchayat level. The organization started Annual Activity planning in the year 2007.
In 2008, there was a shift from empowerment concept to Rights Based Approach in Women Empowerment Programmes.
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