CODP to hold convention of 700 self-help groups

CODP to hold convention of 700 self-help groups

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 1, 2012: The Canara Organization for Development and Peace (CODP) will organize a convention of members belonging to its 700 self-help groups on March 4. Around 4000 people from Udupi, Kinnigoli, Bajpe, Moodubidri, Belthangady, Bantwal, and Kasargod will participate in this convention. The self-help groups comprise 10,640 people, 90 percent of who are women.

 

 

A rally, which will commence at Balmatta at 9:30 a.m., will mark the beginning of the convention. It will conclude on the grounds of Milagres School, which is the venue. A formal stage program will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a cultural show by self-help groups will follow.

Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, the union minister for corporate affairs, will inaugurate the event. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza will preside. The chief guest will be Fr. Frederick D’Souza, the director designate of Caritas India New Delhi, and the guest of honor will be Abdul Razak, the MLA of Manjeshwar. Dr. Rita Noronha, the social worker, will speak on human rights.

The self-help groups will display and sell vegetables and home-made products on this occasion.

Fr. Onil D’Souza, the director of CODP; Fr. Oswald Monteiro, the assistant director; Mary D’Souza, the secretary of Adarsha Federation Puttur; Nirmala, the secretary of Spandana Federation of Kasargod; Asma, the secretary of Margadarshini Federation Kumbla; Bharati C. Chowta, the secretary of Namana Federation Bantwal; and Ravi Kumar Crasta and Ivan Menezes, the coordinators of the event, were also present at the press conference.

About CODP
The CODP is the official organization of the diocese of Mangalore for developmental activities.   It is a society registered under the Mysore Society Registration Act 1960. 
 
CODP operates in three revenue districts, namely, DK and Udupi in Karnataka, and Kasargod of Kerala.  The main activities of CODP are promotion of self-help groups (SHGs), skill training for school dropouts, awareness on HIV / AIDS and providing care and support to the infected, integrated development of domestic workers, education aid to the poor students, watershed and sustainable agriculture etc.