100 Years Of Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom
The Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom was founded in 1919, as a result of the vision of our mothers that the women should also participate in spreading the Gospel. From the inception of the Sevika Sanghom, the office bearers longed to start a training Centre women to equip them to participate in the mission of the church. That dream was fulfilled in 1925. They procured a plot at Thiruvalla. The women of the branches of Sanghom in the Central Travancore parishes raised the necessary funds for the construction of the building known as’ Vanitha Mandiram’.
Most Rev. Abraham Marthoma Metrapolitan of the Church rquested the Church Missionary Society to lend the services of Ms. Kellaway, an Australian Missionary, who was working in the Baker Memorial High School, Kottayam to the Vanitha Mandiram. The C.M.S acceded to the request and Miss Kellaway became the first Principal of the Vanitha Mandiram, with the assistance of Mrs. Kandamma Varghese. Vanitha Mandiram was inaugurated on the 25th February 1925. A two- year course was started with six young women. These women were sent to the mission fields after their training. Miss Kellaway was the Principal of the Vanitha Mandiram from 1925 to 1946. She was succeded by Miss. Mariam Samuel,who served till 1967, introduced a well designed training course and set a pattern strict discipline for the Sevinis. Miss Susy David was the next torch bearer of the Vanitha Mandiram up to 1998.She introduced course help the students to learn home management as well and equip them good Chirstian homes. After her demise Miss Saramma Eapen took over as the Principal of the Vanitha Mandiram Since 1998.
In the curriculam for the Vanitha Mandiram the main emphasis is on the Bible Study. The Church History, Christian faith, Counselling , Home Nursing, Typewriting , Computer classes, Tailoring , Home Science etc. are also included in the curriculam. A few priests and ladies, who have specialised in various subjects, teach in the Vanitha Mandiram. The students of the Vanitha Mandiram have to stay in the campus.
Along with the studies, emphasis is given for the personality development. The morning and evening worship of the students with the teachers and the individual meditation help the advancement of the spiritual life of the students. The students are encouraged to lead the worship and prayer. Several groups of women from various parishes come to the Vanitha Mandiram for retreats and conferences. The visits organised for students to different institutions, mission fields enhance their concern to the needs of the society, and encourage them to commit for mission work
The Vanitha mandiram used to conduct two-year courses and short-term courses, till the commencement of the Jubilee Institute in 1965. Those women who are dedicated for the full time evangelistic work are trained in the Jubilee Institute on completion of their course in the Vanitha Mandiram. Now , the course in the Vanitha Mandiram is for one year. Those who complete the one year course are given certificates and who opt for Evangelistic work are appointed as Sevika Sanghom workers
Miss Kellaway Library
A library was established in memory of Ms. Kellaway, the first Principal of the Vanitha Mandiram. The Library caters to the needs of the students and Sevika Sanghom workers. There are about 8000 books on various topics besides many current publications.
Kandamma Memorial Research and study Centre for Women Studies.
A research and study Centre was started at the time of the Platinum jubilee of the Vanitha Mandiram in the year 2000, in memory of Mrs. Kandamma Varghese one of the prominent founder members of the Sevika Sanghom. The aim of the centre is to provide facilities for those, who do research on gender issues womens concern and ecumenical studies. It also arranges discussions and seminars, dialogues on legal issues, economic problems, studies on marriage, family,etc for different age groups.
The centre is planning to publish a series of books each year,“In Memory of our Mothers” and to arrange memorial lectures to commemorate the forgotten women of the church who had served the Church and Sanghom at various levels. Vanitha mandiram continues to train women for the diverse activities of the mission work of the Sanghom as befitting the times.
