Rev. Dr. Fr.
John Alwyn Dais
B.A;M.A; Ph.D President
Rev. Dr. Fr.
Paul Melwyn D’osuza B.A;M.A; Ph.D
Vice President
Rev. Fr.
Maxim Dsilva
B.A; B.Ed; M.Ed
Secretary
Rev. Fr.
Vijesh Loyed Menezes
B.Com; MBA
Treasurer
Rev. Fr. Elvin Santa Lopes
B.A; DJMC
Member
Rev. Fr. Arun
Lobo B.A; PGDHRM;M.S.W
Member
Rev. Dr. Fr. Sathish Fernandes
B.A; M.Sc; PGDHRM; ;M.A; M.S.W
Member
Rev. Fr. Vinod Mascarenhas, B.A;L.L.B;M.A; M.S.W
Member
Rev. Fr. Vincent D’souza
B.A;M.A; M.S.W
Member
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Empowering
Children: Awareness Program on Child Rights, Protection and child abuse: Vimukti
pothnal Vimukti
Pothnal, organised an awareness program on child rights and child abuse to
educate children about their rights, self-defence, and personal safety on 12th
Ferbaruy,2025. The session also included discussions on preventing sexual abuse
and menstrual hygiene for girls. Mrs. Jacintha, Vimukti staff, opened the
program by addressing the growing safety concerns for children, especially
girls. She emphasized the importance of speaking up, identifying safe and unsafe
touch, and avoiding strangers. She also highlighted the dangers of child
marriage and its impact. Mrs. Shilpa, a staff nurse, guided students on
adolescent changes and menstrual hygiene management. A short film on child
safety was screened, followed by interactive activities and a Q&A session, where
students actively engaged. The program was well-received by Headmaster Mr.
Gundappa, teachers, and 40 girl students, who benefited from the valuable
insights shared.
Empowering
Women Through Vocational Training: Pathway to Self-Reliance "Empower
a woman with skills, and she will uplift an entire community."
Vimukti Pothnal is committed to transforming lives through its Vocational
Training Centre, equipping underprivileged women and girls—especially those from
rural areas—with skills that open doors to economic independence. Many women who
once remained idle at home are now embracing new opportunities through tailoring
training, which serves as a foundation for self-sufficiency. Alongside technical
skills, personality development and leadership training are also integrated into
their learning, empowering them to take charge of their futures. The impact of
this initiative has been profound—45 women who once faced economic hardships and
social isolation have now found purpose, confidence, and a means to sustain
themselves. Many of these empowered women have gone on to advocate for the
rights and welfare of other women, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Through VCT’s unwavering support, these women are not just learning skills but
reshaping their futures and strengthening their communities.
Menstrual
Hygiene Awareness Drive & Free Sanitary Pad Distribution: Vimukti Pothnal Vimukti
Pothnal organized Menstrual Hygiene awareness Drive and Free sanitary pad
distribution program on 1st February 2025 at tadkal village. The chief guest,
Mr. Daniel Helbert, France, highlighted the significance of childhood and
adolescence as formative years. He urged participants to embrace their youth,
engage in joyful learning, and develop into responsible individuals. Ms.
Bernadette from France conducted an interactive session on safe Touch and unsafe
Touch, equipping adolescent girls with essential knowledge about personal safety
and boundaries. Ms. Jacinta Vimukti staff, led an informative session on
physical hygiene and adolescent health. She explained the hormonal changes
during puberty and encouraged young girls to seek medical guidance without
hesitation whenever they face health concerns. Ms. Shilpa staff nurse explained
child development, menstrual hygiene, and proper sanitary pad usage. A short
film, "Maitri," reinforced hygiene awareness, followed by free sanitary pad
distribution to all participants. Nearly 40 adolescent girls benefited from this
informative and empowering workshop, equipping them with confidence and
knowledge to manage their health effectively.
Workshop
on Ambedkar and his contribution to the construction workers: Vimukti
Pothnal, organized an awareness workshop on Wednesday to educate construction
and other workers about the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar towards labor
rights and welfare. In his welcoming speech, Jayashila Dotharbandi, Taluk
Coordinator of Vimukti, emphasized Dr. Ambedkar’s crucial role in securing
workers' rights and eliminating exploitative labor conditions. Mr. Sridhar from
the Labor Department, Manvi, served as the resource person, providing valuable
insights into laws introduced by Dr. Ambedkar, including provisions for women
workers, maternity benefits, labor welfare funds, and government schemes for
construction workers. The event was presided over by Mr. Daniel Helbert and Mrs.
Bernadette from France. Also gracing the occasion were Fr. Sathish Fernandes,
Vimukti Director, Mr. Shivappa and Mr. Amresh, Vice President of the
Construction Workers' Union. Mrs. Jecintha, along with Vimukti staff members Mr.
Charlie, Ms. Mamata, Mrs. Shilpa Valkandinni, Mrs. Umadevi Devipur, Mrs. Eshamma
Sunkanoor, and Mr. Huchappa Pothnal, coordinated and actively participated in
the program. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from nearly 60
workers, who benefited from the informative session on their rights and welfare
schemes.
"Vimukti
Celebrates National Girl Child Day: Educate a Girl, Empower the World" Vimukti
Pothnal, in collaboration with the Government Higher Primary School, Jeenoor,
organized a program to mark National Girl Child Day on January 24,2025. Vimukti
staff member Mr. Charlie Udbal highlighted the significance of the day,
emphasizing the importance of educating and empowering girls for their
well-being and society's progress. He stressed the responsibility of every
citizen to ensure gender equality and an equitable future for girls. The
school's in-charge headmaster, Mr. Ashok, noted that the Ministry of Women and
Child Development initiated this observance in 2008 to promote the empowerment
of girls and eliminate gender discrimination. He urged families to treat girls
equally to boys. Assistant teacher Mrs. Shivalila added that boys should also
contribute to household chores, fostering equality within families.The event saw
the active participation of co-teachers and about 90 students, both boys and
girls.
Grassroot
Stakeholders Training Held at Vimukti Pothnal On
January 20th, 2025, a stakeholders' training session was conducted at the
Vimukti Center. Participants from four villages actively engaged in the program,
including four Nodal Teachers, four Rakshaks, four Grammitras, and four
community leaders.The training focused on addressing the critical issue of human
trafficking and raising awareness about its social implications. The
participants were highly engaged throughout the session. Discussions highlighted
how human trafficking violates basic human rights and disproportionately affects
minors, women, and young girls, pushing them into vulnerable situations. The
training emphasized the collective responsibility to protect these marginalized
and at-risk groups. Participants also gained valuable insights into the adverse
effects of social media misuse and the importance of utilizing helplines to take
prompt and effective action against such crimes. The session included group
discussions, followed by presentations from each group on strategies to make
villages safer for children and women. One participant shared their thoughts,
stating: "This training has strengthened our resolve to combat human trafficking
and protect the vulnerable. It has empowered us with knowledge and tools to
build a safer environment in our communities." In total, 16 members participated
in and benefited from this training.
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Knowledge indeed transforms the children
but the proper environment and the basic facilities in imparting the education
enables the children all the more to be the best.
Vimukti Trust® Pothnal is making a
difference by prioritizing in support of the children to obtain a decent
education with the right environment.
COME LET’S JOIN OUR HANDS FOR THIS
GREAT CAUSE BY BRINGING SMILES UPON THEIR FACES MAKING THEM OUR OWN CHILDREN IN
SUPPORT OF THEM.
Let
us march forward to awaken the humanity to restore the worth of human dignity:
Vimukti Pothnal
The Vimukti Charitable Trust ® requesting to help a disabled parent’s family
from sindanuru, Raichur District with four kids who are in a dire need of the
financial support both for the daily sustenance and to have a decent house to
live in. Their disability has deprived them to have hardly one meal for the day.
Will you be a help to this needy family? You may not have plenty but give from
your little available resources. Even the one or two rupees that you contribute
to this family is worth. Therefore march forward to awaken the humanity to
restore the worth of human dignity. Inspire others by sharing it. Contact:
9448335778. May God Bless you all!
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Extending our hands to the poor and needy during
Covid-19
During this period of struggle, the Vimukti Charitable Trust® team extended our
concern and solidarity for the poor and the neediest around us. This was a
moment of witnessing the real Franciscan spirit.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Capuchin Friars in Solidarity
Holy Trinity Province Karnataka
We thank all our friars, communities,
coordinators, volunteers, support staff and
others who are connected with the pandemic
initiatives and responses. Let us pray for the
humanity and help the needy. God bless us all.
ABOUT US VIMUKTI
CHARITABLE TRUST is a social action unit of the Capuchin Franciscan of
Karnataka Province, Registered under the Trust Act bearing number,
Trust/718/10A/Vol-II/V-299/2000-2001 Dated 01.05.2000. VIMUKTI is
integral liberation as understood popularly and it undertakes and
executes socio-economic empowerment activities among the disadvantage
and the vulnerable sections of the society. As the activities of the
province became widespread, ‘Vimukti’ came into existence in 1999 to
co-ordinate, document, monitor, review and evaluate the social work
intervention activities to ensure greater efficiency and increased
accountability towards the same.
STATUTES The
Karnataka Capuchin Province has established a registered trust called,
Vimukti Charitable Trust for social service and developmental activities
in the Province. The goals and objectives of this trust are to be
attained in a systematic and cohesive manner. For this purpose the
Province shall establish in a suitable place a well furnished central
office to plan, coordinate and supervise all the programmes and the
activities. The Statutes are applicable to all the Friars of the
Province who are involved in this ministry. So that all the Programmes
function effectively and achieve the expected goals and objectives.
These Statutes are to be read along with the Constitutions of the Order
and also the Statutes of the Province.