Advocacy Programmes
Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta Advocacy programmes have enabled women and children from street and slum communities to attain university certificates. EMC, in collaboration with Jadavpur University, is giving certificates accredited under the University Grants Commission to those who complete Skill Development Course (basic and advanced) in Sewing and Motor Mechanics. Each course has both practical and theoretical content at basic and advanced levels and the accredited certificate enhances placement and job opportunities.
Along with these programmes in Advocacy EMC is also engaged in local level advocacy with municipal and state authorities.
The Rickshaw Pullers’ Fellowship
The Rickshaw Pullers' Fellowship is for Kolkata's hand-rickshaw pullers. This neglected community of migrants live in appalling, unhygienic and congested conditions. They are undernourished and prone to illness and their extreme poverty leads many of them into the clutches of unscrupulous moneylenders. Substance abuse is common among them, increasing their vulnerability to TB, STDs and HIV/AIDS.
Through EMC a few of these men have been trained as peer educators, now teaching others within their community. However, with determination and constant advocacy and campaigning on their behalf, the work with the Rickshaw pullers in Kolkata has taken on a new dimension, forcing the Government to provide a rehabilitation package prior to ousting them from the roads of Kolkata.