Vimala Welfare Centre

The centre in Kerala, established in 1961, exists to meet the basic
needs of marginalized women by promoting economic and
educational programmes.  The centre is open to all in need,
irrespective of age, caste or religion.  Its objective is to reach out to destitute women who would otherwise have no work, few prospects and thus little hope.

The core of the centre’s work is the manufacture of banana fibre baskets, along with embroidery and tailoring.  Kerala Crafts supports this work by purchasing hand-crafted baskets and baby dresses, at a higher than average price, which reflects the true cost of production.

Many of the women are the sole breadwinners and have to bring up their family alone.  The support and nurturing they receive at the centre is vital to them. 







Vimala College & Hostel
The Vimalalayam College is one of the traditional women colleges in Cochin and is highly respected for its quality education which has been achieved not only through its excellent courses, but also through personality development and training skills which help in building confidence as the young women prepare to pursue a career of their choice or to be a home-maker.  Vimalalayam's vision is to 'establish a society of equality, where women become partakers in building up a just society through economic independence'.
The college has grown and extended over the years to provide educational variety, offering short term courses as well as the established Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce courses affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.  The popular courses include:

• Certificate Course in Cooking & Baking (2 weeks)
• Certificate Course in Sewing, Cutting & Tailoring (2 months)
• Certificate Course in Spoken English (3 months)
• Certificated Course in Geriatric Care Assistant (5 months)
• Certificate Course in Counselling Psychology (6 months)

The Vimalalayam students' hostel provides accommodation to students of the college and for other college going students.  The speciality of Vimalalayam hostel is its family atmosphere.  It is a peaceful and quiet place in the heart of the city. 

The hostel is situated behind the main building, which gives enough protection and safety to the students, giving them a home atmosphere.  Here the girls have places to sit and relax, to chat with friends and to socialise.  The sisters also make sure that the girls are happy with their lives.


Pallavom
The word 'pallavom' means 'tender shoot' -  it is something that needs nourishing and care.  Pallavom provides a home (if needed) and day centre for the integrated development of specially-abled girls through skill training programmes.  The educational, physical and emotional requirements of the young ladies are catered for here.

They are given training in sewing, cutting and tailoring, flower making, bag making, beauty treatments and make-overs, dance & music, drawing & painting and pottery.

The goal is to bring the best out of these talented women and thus help them to find one or two activities that can help them earn their livelihood and thus not be a burden for their families.  Side by side they are helped to find their identity through personality development programmes and various entertainments.




Vimala Counselling Centre
This essential service provides a listening ear to all students, staff and workers and their families associated with Vimalalayam.  Qualified staff are on hand for those finding themselves in need of emotional support.

This service offers both individual and group therapy, as well as maithri (suicide prevention).

'Helping one person might not change the whole world, but                it could change the world for one person'




Moolampilly & islands
These remote islands, 6 miles north of Kochi, connected by lagoons and backwaters have largely been forgotten by society. But the staff at Vimalalayam have extended their outreach to this island over many years.
The poor inhabitants of Moolampilly traditionally found employment in fishing and pot making.  Women were mainly housewives.
With the arrival of aluminium and plastic, traditional clay pots were fast disappearing.  Vimalalayam has helped many to find other ways to earn their livelihoods such as masons and daily workers.
Women are given training in stitching, cutting, tailoring, candle making, cookery classes and basic computer training.
The island also has a day care centre for senior citizens  and all these activities take place in a new building opened in 2022 and funded by Kerala Crafts. 
The neighbouring island of Kadamakudy has benefited from this support too.  Recently Kerala Crafts has enabled an ambulance to be purchased to take folk to hospital.  No-one owns a car, and the urgent need for the vehicle became clear with the struggles that covid brought.

Neha Centre providing a community building for the island of Moolampilly

      Neha Centre, Moolampilly