The “Society for Welfare, Animation and Development” (SWAD) is the official Organization of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Berhampur for Justice, Peace and Development. Inspired by the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ, the Christian Community in South Orissa has reached out in social concern to the poor and the destitute of the area for more than two hundred years. From the very beginning of the missionary presence in the area concern for the plight of the poor has been an integral part of the Church’s Mission.
Since its beginning SWAD has been making attempts to manifest the social concern of the Catholic Church in the eight districts of South Orissa through education, health care, community organization, agro-entrepreneurship, natural resource management, care for the orphans, aged, lepers, prisoners, physically challenged, and through relief and rehabilitation in times of disasters.
Today nearly 1,200 dedicated social workers, teachers and nurses are present in more than 600 villages of South Orissa (Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam) teaching 20,000 children in 24 schools, giving formation to more than 4,000 Dalit and Tribal Children in 50 hostels, treating more than 69,525 sick people in 19 health centers annually, caring for 150 lepers in 3 leprosaria, 80 physically challenged, 300 senior citizens in 5 centers, and animating and organizing numerous people’s organizations.
