Who We Are?

ABOUT US

The Centre for Development Initiatives (CDI) is a social wing of the Missionary Sisters Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) committed to empower the marginalized communities of the society, especially women and children. It was established in 2008 to spread MSMHCs founder Stephen Bishop Ferrando’s philosophy of love, care and compassion also to answer to the growing inequality, poverty and marginalization of vulnerable women and children, especially in the northeastern states of India.

The task of CDI is to act as the coordinating body in the social and developmental work of the entire Congregation, providing expertise, guidance, facilitation and animation to the Provinces and Delegation. Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, it works for the development of the exploited and voiceless women, girls and children, that it bases its activities on the foundation of human and social values.

OUR VISION

CDI is committed to a civilization of love and envisions a society where people live in unity based on the valued of justice and love.

OUR MISSION

The mission of CDI is to restore human dignity and empower the poor and the marginalized. It is committed to empower them with special focus to women, girls and children through capacity building, promotion of life skills, legal education, livelihood initiatives, care for environment, social security for sustainability through rights-based approach, to establish love, justice and peace in the society.

Thematic Focus

Promotion of Women’s Rights and Empowerment

CDI works for the empowerment of vulnerable women and young girls through social action, education, awareness, skills training, lobbying, advocacy, employment finding and placement. Specifically, CDI has been working for the attainment of professional rights of the domestic workers and the mitigation and prevention of human trafficking of migration and exploitation prone young girls with perpetual rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Child Rights and Child Protection

Recognizing the innate vulnerability of children, and vulnerability brought about by the pressing circumstantial socio-economic situations, CDI is empowering children through informal and non- formal education system. Instilling child protective rights and knowledge, along with activities that bring about holistic development encompassing the intellect, physical, emotional and social are significant parts of the empowerment process.

Micro-credit and Entrepreneurship Development

CDI promotes livelihood development and financial security through self-help groups (SHGs), skills training, and investment in start-ups and networking. This thematic intervention is aimed at achieving financial independence, dignity and worth, enhancement of quality of life, and interdependence. The focus is on transforming financial susceptibility into financial stability.

Skill Promotion through Vocational Training

The young occupies and prominent place in the heart of the CDI Partners. Skill development through Vocational Trainings are carried out in many of the centres to prevent Human Trafficking and promote safe migrants of women and young girls. CDI undertakes tailoring and general housekeeping courses for the school dropout girls from the rural areas and the potential domestic worker and migrants.

Health Care and Health Promotion

CDI promotes health and fitness through free health camps; health, hygiene and nutrition awareness programmes; promotion of healthcare practices, medical referrals, counselling and direct intervention. Equal emphasis is placed on the mental, emotional, physical and social health of the beneficiaries.

Care for Environment

CDI advocates for environmental preservation and protection through environmental education, sensitization programmes, prudent ecological action and sustainable eco-friendly culture. To reduce its carbon footprint, CDI has made significant investment in capturing renewable solar energy and in harvesting rainwater through rainwater storage-cum-filtering system.

Talk to us

Kindly feel free to contact us for any queries regarding the services we offer. We are always open to talk about your problems, so that we can provide adequate help and support, and to create opportunities, especially for the betterment of girl child and women.