About Us
ALAM MISTRY LANE MANAV VIKAS SAMITI
We have our humble beginnings in 1997 with the active support of some volunteers of late Mother Teresa of Kolkata. At that time, a lot of foreign volunteers used to come to Kolkata and work with them for weeks or months together. At that time, "City of Joy", a Book and a Film of the same name, about the slum-life of Pilkhana, was written by the famous French writer late Dominic Lapier became popular, and some of the foreign volunteers used to visit Pilkhana slum to have a feel of 'City of Joy'. Among them, one Mr. Marcus Pohl, a young German man happened to visit Pilkhana often and meet late Veronica Jose and Mr. C.O.Jose, who were at their off-times after their regular works spent times as volunteers with late Fr. Francis Laborde, who now died in Dec. 2020, was doing various social development works in Pilkhana. With the frequent visits of Mr. Marcus Pohl and with some of his friends from 1996 onwards, and showing extra care for the poor and doing many charities to them, we proposed to have a certain programs for the slum people where the poor can make use of some lasting benefits. With this idea and with some other like minded people, we started 'Alam Mistry Lane Manav Vikas Samiti' in 1997 and got it Registered with West Bengal Societies Act.
Though Mr. Marcus Pohl was fully supporting our activities here. Later on he started an NGO in Switzerland entirely for the support of our activities here in Howrah and named it as "Forderverin St. Josef Schule Calcutta"(Friends of St. Joseph's school Kolkata). For his continued support for the charitable works in Kolkata and Howrah he was honored by the German Federal Govt. by awarding him in March 2019 with the "Federal Cross of Merit" upon him.
Poverty, illiteracy and various diseases, especially TB are common among the inhabitants of Pilkhana. In the beginning, we started with Sewing School for girls who have got minimum a class 4 level schooling and aged below 14 years old among the slum people, where they were taught drawing, cutting and stitching of all garments meant for ladies and children in course of 2 years time. It was a great help for the slum people. Slowly we started educating the non-school going children aged below 10 years old at evenings, after Sewing Class got over at 4 P.M.
After further a year. we started regular school classes upto class 5, where they got daytime meals and books. In 2015 we raised the school upto class 7 level. At our school, known as 'St. Joseph's School', is presently having a strength of 226 students, both boys and girls and they are taught up to class-7. Uniforms, books, mid-day meals and even their health-care are fully taken care of by us. After class 7, they are put to other local schools where the admission fees, books etc. are also met by us. India's Independence Day's are celebrated on public Road in front of our school. Drawing competitions, Debates, Sports, Outdoor Picnic, etc. are held regularly.
Other aspects of our activities are concerned with the poor people of Pilkhana and its neighborhood. Mainly on medical aid to the poor, monthly dry food rations (costing Rs.500/-per packet) to the poor families, repairs of few of their houses and even making few houses to the poor. Also giving a monthly stipend of Rs.500/- per month to 55 old-aged poor people. Also giving financial aid of Rs.500/- per month to 56 other school going poor children. Free Cataract Operations are carried out among the poor - 20 to 30 operations per year. Tuberculosis patients are directed to Hospitals or other dedicated Centers, thereupon many a medicines and medical tests are given free by us.
From our Centre, throughout the year, we distribute Dryfood-rations worth Rs.550/- per packet) to 150 poor families twice a month and another 90 poor families once a month.
From our Centre, throughout the year, we distribute Dryfood-rations worth Rs.550/- per packet) to 150 poor families twice a month and another 90 poor families once a month.
| 1. Santragachi: | 4 times | 730 Families |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Betore: | 5 times | 842 Families |
| 3. Tikia-para | 2 times | 330 Families |
| 4. Bhamangachi | 3 times | 245 Families |
| 5. Salap & Domjure | 1 times | 140 Familes |
| 6. Shibpur | 2 times | 280 Families |
| 7. Shalimar: | 1 times | 150 Families |