Since its inception in 1961 MSSS has been playing a leading role in the development area of Kerala. MSSS has changed its approaches, according to the changed context, without diluting the Catholic principles and values of social justice, peace and human dignity in order to effectively address the problems of the weaker.
In the earlier phases lasting up to 1998, the approach of MSSS was to reach the Individual members/families of the weaker sections directly, through following activities:
- delivery of material inputs for the destitute;
- employment generation programmes for women and small farmers;
- housing and sanitation for the weaker;
- training and other capacity building activities for SHGs/CBOs;
- education and training;
- agriculture development;
- livestock development;
- micro-ventures;women’s development;
- health delivery systems in remote areas;
- supporting vulnerable sections – orphans, destitute women, aged, etc.; and,
- Introducing innovative farming practices.
By 1997 MSSS felt the need to change the above approach, as it is found that the above activities though benefited the recipient individuals/families, could not be sustained and make people dependent.
