SreevarahamVanithaSamithy was started as BalikaSamajam in 1913 by a few committed women social workers of Thiruvananthapuram. The Samithy evolved into a charitable organization working totally on ‘no profit - no loss’ basis in 1954. A health clinic was opened and then pre-school classes and a handicraft training centre. A Women and Children’s Library was started in 1956. The Government of Kerala allotted a plot of land under long term lease to the Samithy in a very prominent and historically important area within the Fort in 1955. A building to house the Health Clinic, Training Centre, Library and Office of the Samithy was completed in 1956.
The Samithyacquired the true status of a registered Charitable Organisation in 1957 when it was registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Act of 1955 with Reg. No :14/57.
In 1954, SreevarahamVanithaSamithi embarked on a pioneering journey in education by starting a Pre-School education project, affectionately known as the Nursery School. This humble beginning marked the starting point of a long-standing commitment to provide quality education to the society
A building to house the School was built in 1961 and inaugurated by Shri V VGiri, the then Governor of Kerala. A Children’s Theatre was officially opened on 28 February, 1969. As an adjunct to the School, a Creche was established to provide care and support to children below 3 years . This initiative underscored Samithy's dedication to provide holistic care and education to the youngest members of the society.
In 1999, the School underwent a significant transformation, upgrading to an English Medium School up Standard IV and was named PonnammaThanu Pillai Memorial English Medium School. The School operates under the management of the PonnammaThanu Pillai Trust, providing quality education to children. Today, the School stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of SreevarahamVanithaSamithy's commitment to education and community service, offering classes from Play School to Standard IV.
Children from the age of 4 years up to the age of 10-11 years, are enrolled in this school with an average of 25 children (boys and girls) per class. To complement this arrangement, there is also a Play School (crèche) which welcomes children from 2-3 years of age.
Recognizing the crucial need for female education, the Samithy established an exclusive library for women and children. The pride of SVS is this Library started in 1954 under Kerala Granthsala Sangham. It got affiliated to the Kerala State Library Council in 1964. Currently it proudly holds an 'A+' Grade status. It stands as Kerala's pioneering institution. Boasting a collection exceeding 15,600 books, (including 5,325 items under children’s literature, 505 reference books, and 450 rare and valuable volumes), it caters to diverse interests ranging from education to entertainment. The Library also accommodates fiction enthusiasts. With a considerable membership base, it serves as a vital intellectual hub.
In addition to the static library, a Mobile Library service, dedicated to the elderly residing in and around the Fort area operates under its auspices.This innovative initiative ensures that knowledge and reading materials reach every corner of the community, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
The SreevarahamVanithaSamithy Library is indeed a beacon of knowledge, empowering women, children, and the community at large. Its legacy continues to inspire and educate, making it a true treasure of Kerala's cultural landscape.
The Children's Theatre is more than 50 years old and had its heydays that witnessed the passage of some great stars of Indian music, dance and drama. It was also a neighborhood facility often hired out for family festivals and weddings. It remains a magnificent 600-seat theater that is maintaining its role of a community centre for culture.
- Built in 1972-73
- Seating capacity: 600; Balcony 300
- Used for children’s educational and cultural activities
The Vayojanamithram project, launched in 1987 with the support of Helpage India and under the auspices of SreevarahamVanithaSamithy, aimed to alleviate loneliness and feelings of unwantedness among older women, particularly in nuclear families. Despite its success, the center ceased operations due to constraints. However, after receiving persistent requests to revive it, the project was relaunched in 2024 under the name "KARUTHAL," identifying 30 new beneficiaries and providing a comprehensive range of services. SreevarahamVanithaSamithy is a meeting place for KARUTHAL beneficiaries to interact frequently, at least twice a month. KARUTHAL fosters a sense of community and belonging among older women.
- A dedicated meeting place for beneficiaries to interact and socialize;
- Access to facilities of the school and Library;
- Companionship and care;
- Medical consultancy and mental health support.
In addition, SVS continues its activities in the areas of health, culture and awareness through programmes such as seminars and conferences aimed at empowerment of women and children. Topics include health, violence against women, waste management, water preservation, energy management, use of solar energy devices, food conservation and cookery etc. Health camps are organized for women and children, and open to the general public. Ayurveda massage sessions, training in home nursing, courses of life skill education for young girls highlighting the importance of human values, education and personality development, complete this social service spectrum.
- Empowerment & Awareness classes for women
- Welfare activities of women & children
- Health Camps
- Summer Camp for children
- Self Help Groups
- Oruma (ഒരുമ)-Alumni association of PTPM GHS
- Social and Cultural Awareness Programmes
Throughout the year, women from the poor neighbourhood come to learn artisan production techniques to make a livelihood (30 women per batch). Trainings extend from 2-3 days to 3-6 months. The normal cycle of progress for these women is: trainee, then paid worker, and for the more gifted of them, entrepreneurs or even trainers, in a gradual process of empowerment. The crafts are varied like book binding, fabric painting , mural painting, glass painting , metal embossing, manufacturing of soaps, detergents and lotions, decorations for Christmas and weddings, production of candles, soft toys , use of thermal cooker, bags and file board making, jewelry and beads works. Training programmes are also offered in food craft, nutrition, catering etc. In fact, several women have taken up catering business for big and smalll events, from their homes.
- Computer Training:
a) MS Office
b) DTP (Desktop Publishing)
c) Tally
- Kerala Hindi PracharSabha certification courses (from Pradhama to Rashtrabhasha levels) - Tailoring Classes
- Tailoring Unit
- Skill training for self employment
a) Artificial Jewellery making
b) Fabric Painting / Glass Painting
c) Doll Making
d) Bag Making (using paper, cloth, thread, etc.)
e) Cushion Making
f) Mural Painting
g) Making decorative items (nettipattam, pearl items ,flowers using
paper & clothes etc.)
j) Food Processing (squash, jam, pickle, cake etc.)
