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| COSTFORD, Thrissur |
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Blending the traditional knowledge of the people with technology, COSTFORD, an NGO in the housing / development sector has been blazing a path of its own since its inception in 1985. 1 year after starting its operations, the Government entrusted the agency with the pilot project of constructing 10 houses at the rate of Rs.6000 per house. COSTFORD was able to complete the project by making optimum use of resources and employing alternative technologies. Again, in 1986 itself, they constructed 32 houses under NREP programme at Laloor in Thrissur. The construction of these houses and their exhibition were successful events and from then onwards, the growth of the organization and its diversification were accelerated.
In 1988, they constructed 40 houses for the adivasis of Malakkappara according to the requirements of the dwellers. Thus at last count, under NREP and JRY programmes of the Government, COSTFORD has so far constructed 3000 houses. The agency has so far provided training for 32 architects, 100 plus engineers and about 350 certificate holders. Many teams from countries like Germany, England, USA, south Africa, Japan etc have come to understand and study the alternative technology of COSTFORD.
It is not only in the construction sector that the agency is active. They have been facilitators for the formation of a women’s cooperative bank at Thrissur. The agency has an accident relief policy, whereby the breadwinner of a family would get Rs.25000 by just paying Rs.68 as premium.
COSTFORD is involved even in the health sector where it facilitates diagnosis of ailment and its treatment. Thus, with a positive outlook, the agency formed from the deliberations of architect Laurie Baken, former Chief Minister, C.Achuthamenon. and economist K.N.Raj, continues to expand the scope of its interventions in more areas than one.
Courtesy: Sathyan K.P, Malayalam, May 30, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
