BACKGROUND

Snegam Social Welfare & Resource Society is a Non Government Organization registered under the Societies Registration Act 1961. The primary objective of Snegam is to provide quality education to underprivileged children, encourage and support less privileged children to pursue higher education and promote the education of female children.

Snegam began its intervention in Kolkata in September 2005. A survey was conducted in 5 slums under Ward 78 to assess the reasons for children dropping out of school. As a response to the findings of the survey, a learning centre was started at Mother Hall School who shared their premises with Snegam after their school hours. The Khidderpore centre was formally inaugurated on 14th November 2005 and Snegam was granted registration under the Societies Registration Act 1961 on 20th December 2005.

After the successful functioning of the Khidderporecentre,Snegam gradually started initiating similar centres in other areas of Kolkata and began reaching out to the rural children as well. In November 2006, a second centre began in the premises Our Lady of Providence School and was named Entally Centre. Children from the adjoining slums of Medhi Bagan, Entally, Ripon Lane etc. benefitted from this centre. On 3rd November 2009, another Snegam centre began at St. Anthony’s High School, Market Street. Children from Colin Lane, Colin Street, AsgarMistri Lane and the area around New Market joined the centre with a lot of enthusiasm. Unfortunately this center was discontinued in 2013 as the school could not accommodate the centre any longer. Therefore, these children were shifted to the Entallycentre.

In 2007, Snegam entered rural Bengal. The first village was Debipur situated about 4 kms from Pailan. In collaboration with the local Church and the local Mahila Samiti, Snegam started the centre on 1st July. Snegam helped in renovating the dilapidated community centre so that children could have their remedial classes. Within a year’s time two more villages got added to the Snegam map i.e. Salpukur and Ghostomath. Apart from providing educational assistance, Snegam contributed significantly towards relief and other need based requests from the villages.

OUR OUR PHILOSOPHY AND VISION

We are born in an unjust and divided society and we are determined not to leave it as we have found it. Let us put our hearts and minds together and stretch out our hands in love and service to build a better world.

OUR OUR MISSION

It is our mission to make this effort into a movement against illiteracy and a movement against poverty.

OUR MOTTO

Together Towards Tomorrow

FOUNDER PRESIDENT

Dr. John Felix Raj, SJ is a Jesuit priest in Kolkata. He is the Founder Vice-Chancellor and a Professor of Economics of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata. He is the former Principal of St. Xavier’s College Kolkata.

Fr. Raj is the recipient of fourteen awards including Banga Bibhushan and SikshaRatna from the Government of West Bengal and Nihil Ultra award from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. He has authored and co-authored ten books and has published numerous papers and articles in journals, international and national conferences and newspapers.

The simple clad Jesuit has not only contributed to this Society as an Academician but his initiatives in the field of social work has left remarkable and significant impact on the less privileged and marginalised sections of the society. His pleasant disposition and humility continues to be the most attractive features of his personality.

To know more about this great visionary kindly visit www.felixrajsj.com - Profile

Governing Body Members

ACTIVITIES FROM 2005 – 2018

1. Community Based Learning Centres – Tutorial classes for primary and middle school students
2. Co-curricular activities
3. Observation of Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, Independence Day etc.
4. Teacher’s Orientation
5. Formation of Youth Groups
6. Educational Scholarships to deserving students

PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT - ONGOING

1. Donation towards medical expenses
2. Donations towards repair of houses
3. Donations towards old age home & orphanages
4. Donations as per need & requirement

PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND NON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SIMILAR INITIATIVES FOR OVERLALL DEVELOPMENT - ONGOING

1. Jericho Training Centre for the Blind and Handicapped, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Jericho Training Centre for the Blind and Handicapped was established on 8th December 1982 by Fr. A. Antony at Nagamangalam situated about 12 kms away from Trichy in Tamil Nadu . After the demise Fr. Anthony, his brother, Fr. JesurajAnbarasancontinued the good work as Secretary. An off shoot of this centre was St. Joseph’s Primary School which started in 1984 and gradually got upgraded to a Higher Secondary School in 2001 under the leadership of Fr. Anbarasan. Children studying in this school belong to the marginalized families. Apart from very low socio-economic background, many children are also physically challenged. There are about 600 children on the rolls.

Hostel facilities: In order to ensure smooth education of children especially those who stay in remote areas and home environment is not conducive to study,hostel facilities are provided. There are two hostels –one for boys and the other for girls. About 50 students are availing this facility.

Laboratories and Smart Classroom
The Science Lab, the Computer Lab and the Smart Classroom that was set up in 2015 with help from Snegam have been well utilized. They are well equipped with new additions of lab equipments. The teachers have ensured to keep the labs upgraded with latest levels. It is encouraging to see that the School administration along with its staff members have ensured that children receive quality education. Apart from education, children are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and sports. They are also taken regularly for education tours.

Educational / academic achievement/cash award:
During the academic year 2019-20, there were a total of 475 students in this school. The school achieved 98% in 12th standard. This year saw 16 teachers and 2 support staff. Snegam has instituted cash awards to students securing 1st and 2nd rank in class Xth and XIIth standards.

In 2010 Rev. Fr. Felix Raj, SJ became the President of the Jericho Centre. Since then the centre has seen rapid growth and infrastructural development. Over the years, from the basket ball court, to the new washrooms for both sections, to making of the entrance gate, to setting up of computer centre and smart classroom, Fr. Raj has left no stone unturned to ensure quality education.

In 2019-2020, the entire school campus got a facelift. Apart from repairing and painting of the school building and the washrooms and painting of classroom furniture, the well was also deepened to avail drinking water in the campus. In addition, a Xerox machine was also installed in the school.

For more details visit: www.jerichocentre.org

2. St. Michael’s H.S. School, Sengudi, Ramnad District, Tamil Nadu

St. Michael’s Higher Secondary School was built in 1927as a Primary School dedicated to the people of Sengudiby the Diocese of Sivagangai.The Primary School was upgraded to Middle School in 1974 with student strength of 420. On 19th June 1998, St. Michael was further upgraded to a high school and handed over to the Congregation ofFranciscan Sisters of Bon Scours. In 2012, St. Michael’s became a Higher Secondary School. This school achieved 100 % results in the Class X Board Exams from 1999 till 2020. The 12th Standard students also secured 1st, 2nd& 3rd Ranks at district level. Apart from formal education children are encouraged in extracurricular activities like sports, cultural performances etc. Amazingly many students who studied here became priests and one of them being the Snegam President Rev. Fr. Felix Raj, SJ.

3. Pliz Home, Okkur, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu

Pilz Home was built with the objective of addressing the needs of girls, especially orphans living in the rural areas of Sivagangai district. This Home accommodates about 40 to 50 children who attend government schools and are looked after by religious Sisters. Snegam has supported to build a multipurpose hall and a smart classroom for the benefit of the children.

4. Fr. Ante Gabric Memorial School - New Life Centre, Kumrokhali, 24 Parghanas South, West Bengal

Fr. Ante Gabric Memorial School caters to children coming from such backgrounds. What began as an English medium School got transformed into Bengali Medium considering the need of the locality. This school has over 500 children from pre-primary to class-X. Apart from formal education, the school provided opportunity for extracurricular activities like sports, personality development etc. to ensure overall development of the children.

Snegam has instituted scholarships for three toppers of the 10th standard children to encourage them to continue with their higher education. Snegam has also supported in infrastructural development works of the school. From furnishing a classroom, to repairing of existing school structure, improvement of drinking water facilities, washroom etc., Snegam has contributed meaningfully to this centre.

5. Collaboration with St. Xavier’s University Kolkata, outreach programme

St. Xavier's University under the dynamic leadership of its Vice Chancellor and President of Snegam, Rev. Fr. Felix Raj, SJ, continues to reach out to the neighbourhood village children. Every weekend a group of enthusiastic students from the University visit the local villages - Kathalberia and Kulberia, under Beota Panchayat of Bhangor II Block (South 24 Parganas District) and teach the young children of various governments run primary schools, to impart quality education to them.

Another group of our studentconducts Spoken English classes at the University Campus for the secondary school and college students who come from Dharmatala-Panchuria Village. The overall impact has been positive and a learning experience for both - university students as well as village children.

In 2019-2020, Snegam supported to set up a computer centre in the Kathalberia Primary School for the benefit of the children. Four computer sets were donated to the centre and it was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Raj on 26th January 2020. The University students organized a cycle rally from the University to the village to mark the occasion. Post lunch, a Mela for about 500 children was organised in the campus where they were treated to a good cultural programme, refreshments and a return gift. The University plans to make this village school as a model school and promote the philosophy of ‘Village to University, University to Village’.

Snegam has instituted the ‘Snegam Scholarship’ for deserving students pursuing higher studies in social work.

R.S.MANGALAM CENTRE

The RSM rural centre began with the objective of providing supplementary education to the village children. The parents of these children are mostly daily wage labourers. About 30 students enrolled to attend these tuition classes which was given free of cost. A volunteer teacher Ms. J. Devi along with the coordinator Ms. S. Jothi, conducted these classes in the evenings. On an average, 20 students were present everyday from Monday to Friday.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPSTO DESERVING STUDENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

1. Supported about 20 students per year to pursue higher education
2. Instituted Scholarship for 6 students per year at St. Michael’s H.S. School
3. Instituted Scholarship for 4 students per year at St. Joseph’s School
4. Instituted Scholarship for 3 students per year at Fr. Ante Gabric Memorial School
5. Instituted Snegam Scholarship at St. Xavier’s University

Snegam as a Resource Society

As a Resource Society Snegam offers professional services on Individual and Group Counselling, Life Skill Training, Personality Development, Leadership Skill Enhancement, Event Management and other need based trainings for all age groups

Our Appeal

Join us and become partners in this mission. You will add value to our humble efforts. Your contributions and donations will help expand our reach out. Together Towards Tomorrow is what we believe in. Let’s make the change together.

Cheques/Bank Drafts can be drawn in favour of:
“Snegam Social Welfare & Resource Society”
All donations are exempted under 80G of Income Tax.

Office Address:
1A, Bonamali Ghoshal Lane
Flat 3C, 3rd Floor
Kolkata – 700 034
Ph: 9830263361
Email: snegamindia8@gmail.com

Cheryl Francis
Secretary