VIMUKTHI 2017

By Jijo Jose and Lena Steffens, both at Marian College, Kuttikkanam, India

Covering Statement for our project “Vimukthi 2017”

This submission focus on a campaigning project against substance abuse in Kuttikkanam, Kerala. Located in the middle of wonderful tea plantations 914 meters about the sea level, Kuttikkanam provides many educational institutions for adolescents, like Higher Secondary Schools and two residential Colleges.

At the same time, there are very less facilities for a productive free time of students. Substance abuse as way to flew out from academic tasks and loneliness is a heavy topic in the society of Kuttikkanam, Kerala. A high addiction to alcohol and drugs of underage people is reported.

Lena Steffens is absolving a voluntary internship as Student-Mentor in the School of Social Work at Marian College (Autonomous), after completing her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences, North Rhein- Westphalia Germany.

She got to know about Jijo Jose, who is studying in II-year Bachelor of Social Work at the School of Social Work, Marian College and who conducted the program “Vimukthi 2017” with the help and support of the teaching staff and classmates. The campaign against substance abuse among students was part of his field work in DARE de-addiction Center, Peermade.

Not only through the time of the project Jijo and Lena came into a great exchange about societal opinion about substance abuse, governmental prevention systems and Social Work as whole in the different countries. As “Images convey more than 1000 words” they present the pictures and clips in format of a documentary about the campaign.

Both students are sure: Social Work students have many opportunities to study; not only on theoretical basics, but also by practical experience and through active engagement in the global and local society.

Mrs. Saritha, a faculty of the School of Social Work, engaged both students to participate at the competition. Greatest acknowledgment to her and the social work faculty team in the department, which guided the project itself and the preparation for the competition.