Rural Development Centre – Vettinad
YMCA has been involved in rural development activities since 1973 as part of its centenary celebrations. The activities of the YMCA have a specific focus on agricultural activities and vocational training programs for rural youth. The rural development activities started at Vettinad in the year 1983 was an extension program of Trivandrum YMCA. Vettinad is a rural area in Vembayampanchayat, about 18 kms from Trivandrum city. This project was a sequel to the rural development activities at Aruvikkara which was started in 1976. Over a period of time, this project has become a flagship program of Trivandrum YMCA. The following activities were implemented at Vettinad.
- Plumbing
- Tailoring & embroidery school
- Computer education
- Mahila Samajam
- Non-formal education
The activities at the RDC, Vettinad focused on school drop-outs and unemployed youth and tried to provide skill trainings (vocational training programs), especially in carpentry, plumbing and electrical wiring, tailoring and embroidery. ‘Training for Self-Employment’ is the motto of the project. It was hoped that these vocations will have good demand and the trainees will find appropriate employment easily to sustain their livelihood. The YMCA was successful in developing a cordial relationship with the public and with other stakeholder especially with the Vembayam Grama Panchayat.