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Annie Joseph receives Humanitarian of the Year Award
Saturday, 16th January 2010 was a big day for Ankur Kala. On this day Annie Joseph, the Founder of Ankur Kala, was given the Humanitarian of the Year Award (2010) by Care & Share, USA.
The simple one hour award ceremony was held at Ankur Kala’s training centre at 72B Park Street. Sister Joann of the Missionaries of Charity was the Chief Guest while Ms Roopa Mehta of Sasha presided. Mr Tony Devassy, the President of Care & Share, along with his wife Elsy, and other family members were present. The decorations (alpona), the singing, recitation and organizing and serving of refreshments was done by the women of Ankur Kala.
The Award was given in recognition of her efforts to sustain the livelihood of the underprivileged and marginalized women. Ankur Kala - which is a women’s organization — was started by Annie Joseph with the blessings of Mother Teresa. Ankur Kala’s work is to address the needs of urban and rural women who are single, destitute, children of sex workers and often subject to violence and are vulnerable and who require economic empowerment. Ankur Kala’s goal is to rehabilitate destitute and marginalized women enabling them to live with dignity, earn a living and improve their self image and confidence.
Care & Share, is a non-profit charitable organization, launched in 1990 by a handful of professionals who felt compelled to reach out to a world with ever increasing needs Acknowledging the excellent efforts of existing charities, Care & Share chose to work cooperatively with organizations that provide “hands on” assistance, by helping to shoulder the burden of fund raising and recruiting volunteers for various events.
Starting in 2000 Care & Share is focusing more on projects in India especially in the state of Kerala. A Kerala Chapter was formed in year 2002 and spearheading in various social welfare programs and supports orphanages, pain and palliative care units, cancer and chronic kidney patients, help poor students with scholarships to achieve their higher education dreams and conduct regular medical camps for the early detection of eye problems and other diseases such as Asthma, Chronic Kidney Diseases, etc.
Care & Share also responds whenever there is a greater calamity. When Hurricane Katrina hit the costs of United States, Care & Share promptly reached out by donating to Salvation Army. Similarly, when South Asia was struck by Tsunami, Care & Share responded by building houses for the victims in Chellanam Village in Kerala, India.
Care & Share recognizes individuals who exhibit extraordinary selflessness to their community through its Humanitarian of the Year Award. This has helped to reach out the individual’s work to a bigger crowd and also to gain more support for the cause he/she is working for.
Each person involved in Care & Share works solely on a voluntary basis. This helps ensure that every penny donated, finds its way into the hands of deserving recipients.
Among our guests were Leo and Francois Jalais, Joyce and Paul Siromani, Mr & Mrs Sachidanandan, Sister Hemma, Manjula Patnaik of Mennonite Central Committee, Grace Chiramal, Governing Body members, Mrs GO Chatterjee, Mrs Geeta Rodriques, Mrs Santa Mandana, Mrs Nitya Pooviah and, of course, Sunil Lucas was there for the photographs and video. It was indeed a joyful and memorable evening for all at Ankur Kala.
Annie Joseph honoured with Bharat Jyoti Award
Ankur Kala founder Annie Joseph has won the Bharat Jyoti Award ("Light of India" Award) 2008. Yet another recognition of the valuable work done by Ankur Kala for society, especially women. Click here to see a copy of the intimation letter recieved by Annie. We hope to bring you pictures of the ceremony soon.
Ankur Kala gets IFAT member status
Friends and well-wishers of Ankur Kala will be delighted to know that we are now a member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT). For more information on this, you may visit the IFAT website at www.ifat.org
Silver Jubilee Celebrated
On February 3, 2007, Ankur Kala celebrated its Silver Jubilee, at Bishop's College. The beautiful lawn was artistically decorated by the bandhni and batik work of our women - colourful and unique. All around were posters on important issues like environment, education, values and women's empowerment. One poster simply read "Honesty is the best policy" - reflecting a truth which Ankur Kala has never compromised on, in these past 25 years - and yes, we suceeded!.
Click here for more photos!
CLICK HERE FOR WRITEUP OF THE CELEBRATION WHICH APPEARED IN THE HERALD.
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