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15 years ago, the coast line between Ernakulam and Chertala presented a bleak scenario for the womenfolk of fishermen.  Vices of drink and gambling among men, Shylock-like moneylenders etc had made their life miserable.  It was into their midst that Sr.Alice and four other nuns appeared with the idea of a Women’s Initiative Network (WIN).

By organizing the women under self-help groups, she could make dramatic changes in their lives.  Now, more than 40% women have bank accounts.  6000 families are covered under medical insurance.  And more importantly, with the economic gains brought by them, the women have a say in the affairs of the family.

Now no man would dare to raise his hand against his wife.  For the self help group would accost the accused and seek an explanation from him.  Chellanam is a place without toddy shop. Women-led agitation had led to its closure last year.

Sr.Alice had a stormier past.  Born as the fourth child in a noted family from Pala, she obtained post graduation in Economics before becoming a nun.  She came to Kozhikode in the 70s to work among fisherfolk.

The injustices that she observed made her go on hunger fast for 14 days.  Although her action became a cause celebre for the media, the church later sent her as a warden.  After a few years she left the congregation along with a few other nuns and established WIN, an independent and secular organization based at Eramalloor.

According to her, charitable work and social work are different.  While the former creates a dependency syndrome among beneficiaries, the latter helps in social transformation, she believes.

Courtesy: Sharmila (text), P.R.Krishnakumar (photo), Gruhalakshmi, December 2008
Contributed by: Administrator

"All feet tread not in one shoe."