Society in Alappuzha

The Directorate of Social Welfare of the Kerala government is the functionary wing of the State Social Welfare Department. Many of the social welfare programmes for women in distress, mentally challenged people, handicapped persons, destitute women, orphaned and neglected street children are provided care and social security by government and private organizations, residential institutions, NGOs, orphanages and charities. Some of these charities and NGOs come directly under the Church Diocese while others are non-profit ones that exist through patron donations.


Alappuzha being the rice bowl of Kerala has a predominantly large and migrant agricultural labour force who is bereft of regular incomes and battle poverty, sickness and ill-health and lack of access to good education and medical care. A large percentage of social welfare schemes are specially target for community development in the villages and taluks of Alappuzha.

One of the earliest international social welfare schemes aiming to improve the welfare of women and children affected by poverty and illness in Kerala was started in Alappuzha in 1987. The Urban Service Scheme was initiated with the assistance of UNICEF, the Central Government and the State Government and focused on the development of urban poor by imparting awareness and education on health and economy, especially with special emphasis on children and women. Community participation and self reliance were the cornerstones of this social welfare scheme.

Alappuzha’s Community Development Service (CDS)

In 1992, the Community Based Nutrition Programme (CBNP) was launched in the districts and wards of Alappuzha. This initiative had full support of the UNICEF and was programmed to assess the results of the Urban Service Scheme. To involve the community at ground level, the results were discussed in an open forum with the urban poor of the district.

During the analysis it was found that women contributed more to family and social uplifting by ensuring healthy homes, good nutrition and clean environment, all of which are relevant to quality of life. The poor women began to form ideas to involve entire communities in the enforcement of welfare schemes either with governmental assistance or through their own efforts, to improve health, sanitation and economic status.

The community service (CDS) consists of over 500 groups with 25000 women members covered in over 50 Area Development Societies (ADS) representing nearly 25000 families who are below the poverty line (BPL) families.

This is just one example of a social welfare scheme in Alappuzha aimed at transforming the society. There are several other governmental, non-governmental agencies and private sector enterprises that have launched welfare schemes at community level to improve the cause of women’s & children’s health, provide medical care and assistance to orphaned children, the aged & elderly people, and handicapped people.

NGOs in Alappuzha

There are many NGOs functioning in and around Alappuzha primarily working with the people towards community development, alleviation of poverty levels and bringing easy access of education, financial services, medical care and career opportunities closer to the local people.

Some of the NGOs, very actively involved in community development as well as caring for orphaned and destitute children, are Eramathoor Youth Movement, Tiruvallla Social Service Society, Dr. Abdul Kalam Educational and Charitable Trust, Sree Naryana Micro Finance, Aswas Development Society, Chengannur Taluk Mannam Social Service Society, Unique Charitable Trust and Ragalayam.

Institutional Women-oriented Service in Alappuzha

St. Joseph’s College for Women in Alappuzha is a pre-eminent institution that holds the distinction for rendering yeoman service in the upliftment of illiterate, destitute and poor women especially along the coastal belt of Kerala. The institution itself and its more illustrious students past and present work together with governmental and other agencies in the area of women’s welfare and have brought out novel schemes that have resulted in visible changes in issues concerning women all over the district.

Orphanages in Alappuzha

District and village level children’s orphanages are run by Samagra Vikas Social Service Society Alleppey, Jeevan Sneha Charitable Trust, Lakshmi Kesava Trust, Grama Nikethan, Crescent Orphanage, St. James Orphanage, St. Joseph’s Bala Bhavan, Nirmalanand Bala Bhavan, Ma-udinul Uloom Orphanage, Infant Jesus Vimala Orphanage and a few more.

Old Age Homes in Alappuzha

Old people in Alappuzha require deep care and affection from their children; however, the modern lifestyle and preference of nuclear families have made their life miserable. They are deprived population where they do not have helping hands to make them special. They are alone who do not have anyone to look after them. Hence, old age homes are the only ray of hope for their life and a place where they can find their age group people and can share their emotions. Old age homes in Alappuzha like Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithy, DSR Memorial Geriatric Hospital & Old Age Home, Souhrida charitable Society, Senior Citizens Forum Kerala, etc are now becoming the final destination at the old ages. Here they are provided a reason to live and several activities that keep them busy along with some earnings that fulfill their basic requirements. The details of all the old age homes in Alappuzha are provided in below list.

List Old Age Homes in Alappuzha

Theera Dasa Vanitha Samajam
No. 3 Arthunkal P O Allapuzha
Alleppey, Alappuzha - 688001
Phone No.: 9745897380, 477-2572014

Womens Counsil
Hospital Palace Ward Alappuzha
Alappuzha Ho, Alappuzha - 688001
Phone No.: 8891942007

LAL Bahadur Sastri Education Foundation
A.C Road, Cherthala
Alleppey, Alappuzha - 688012
Phone No.: 9388619104, 477-3211800

Kuutanadu Vikasana Samithy
P.O Mampuzhakary Alappuzha Kerala State South
Ramankary, Alappuzha - 689595
Phone No.: 9447301086

Vivekananda Arts And Sports Club
Vattayal Ward, Thiruvampadi P.O
Thiruvampady Junction, Alappuzha - 688002
Phone No.: 9947628517, 477-2254515

Samanwayam Keralam
Janajagruthy, Paravoor, Punnapra North
Punnapra, Alappuzha - 688004
Phone No.: 477-2287602

Kely Kala Sahithya Vedi
Pattanakkad. P.O,
Cherthala, Alappuzha - 688531
Phone No.: 9249222875, 478-2159613

People
Paliyathayil House, Andhakaranazhi P.O
Cherthala, Alappuzha - 688531
Phone No.: 9995998921, 478-2400180

Samoohya Vikasana Samithy
Muthukulam South, Muthukulam
Alappuzha - 690560
Phone No.: 9495442308, 477-2472327

Senior Citizens Forum Kerala
Senior Citizens Hall Kottarkavu
Mavelikara, Alappuzha - 690101
Phone No.: 9446938787, 479-2344250

Souhridacharitable Society
Ponakom Mavelikara P O
Mavelikara, Alappuzha - 690101
Phone No.: 9747574157, 479-2342134

DSR Memorial Geriatric Hospital & Old Age Home
Near P.s. Junction, Mayithara P.o
Cherthala, Alappuzha - 688531
Phone No.: 9387444385, 9447485600

Grace Home
Mavumkal House, Thathampally
Alappuzha - 688013