Workers Development Union (Shramik Abhivrudhi Sangh) is the social action wing of the Goa Jesuits, with activities concentrated in Belgaum and other districts of north Karnataka and in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. SAS works among the masses to transform unjust structures of society and to build harmonious communities of diverse peoples, religions, languages, and cultures, helping them to satisfy their basic human needs.
Staff and mission
Two Jesuits and forty social activists along with many part-time animators facilitate the programs listed below, sharing with the poor their struggles, joys, and hopes. This also join in critical reflection and action on the socio-political and economic situation.
Pictures depicting these works are given on each of the SAS pages cited.
Community College at Nesargi offers employability skills, basic English fluency, and basic computer applications to those with little formal education.
Community Health trains women to function as rural health workers. Special attention is given to HIV/STD awareness and to herbal medication preparation.
Training shepherds in sheep care, modern medicines, and modern breeding practices is carried on in the largely pastoral northern districts of Karnataka.
Training for rural girls focuses on garment making to which is added modules on personality development, family life, and the status of women in society.
Micro-watershed management programs began in four villages and are expanding to others with the vision of rainwater harvesting for a greener, more productive environment.
Pre-school education assists in preparing more underserved, rural children for primary education, with special emphasis on the deficit in education for girls. It works toward integral development – mental, physical, and social.
Self-help groups for rural women assist in areas such as access to financing from government and banks, income generating opportunities, advocacy and networking, and opposing gender discrimination and violence against women.
Value education is an after-school program to enhance the education of village children. They gather at a place where help with studies is offered, along with training in personality development and etiquette as well as opportunities for singing, dancing, dramatics, drawing, and public speaking.
Xavier Farm raises income for SAS while experimenting in organic farming and dairy management. It also hosts many of SAS’s training programs.
Panchayati-raj training for women elected to village councils is given to assist them in becoming agents of change. This includes legal knowledge and networking along with personal development and communication skills.
Biogas technology is taught for its many benefits for cooking in rural households. It's less arduous, sanitary, saves trees, diminishes greenhouse gases, and produces organic manure. SAS has built in the last decade for rural households more than 10,000 installations of bio-gas with attached toilets.
Organic farming methods are taught, encouraging villagers in Belgaum to have organic vegetable gardens and farms, and to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which bring health problems and medical expenses.
Student sponsorship in professional studies assists those who complete 12 years of school to continue their studies in areas that increase their employability.
