Sr.Betsy Devasia SCC, the Director of Women Development Centre (WDC),Guwahati, Assam, was conferred with 11th International award, ‘Ambassador for Human Rights & Peace, 2021’ for her contribution to women development in the Northeast region by the International Human Rights Council, Delhi on 10th December 2021.
Sr.Betsy belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod. The congregation began in a small village of Savoy, in France in the year 1838. The situation created by the French revolution and the Industrialization of Europe affected very much the socio-economic and political conditions of France. During this period in Chavanod, a devoted person, Claudine Echernier together with Fr. Peter Mermier, the founder of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, deeply moved by the poverty and illiteracy that prevailed among the poor in the society sought for ways and means to remedy the situation began this congregation. The Sisters of this congregation are working in several parts of the world and in Northeast India.
Sr. Betsy was born on 1st July 1947 as the second child of Mr. Devasia and Rosamma Pulippara in Kerala. In the year 1984, June 5, she made her final commitment as religious. She has served as a teacher, Headmistress, manager and sister in charge of the community .and delegation superior in North east.
Women Development Centre, Joypur, Guwahati began in the year 2000 is the Millennium Gift to the Women in Northeast India. It was the dream and Inspiration of Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil to have a training centre for the women of Northeast India.
WDC is the Social work wing of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod Guwahati Province. One of the major thrusts of WDC is to help complete schooling of “school dropped out young girls through NIOS. Over the years it has have helped more than 680 girls from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Assam, 94% of them passed out, 70% of them have gone for higher studies and are living exemplary lives.
WDC has formed, nurtured & trained 750 WSHGS -around 7000 weavers and have enabled them to link with banks and government services in Assam under the most backward & left-wing extremist districts declared by Govt. of India in 2012. are More than 1000 Women in 5 areas of Joypur Kharghuli are breadwinners of their families. WDC also has trained 330 Women Leaders from the year 2000 to 2011 from the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Their leadership qualities and business skills have helped them to become successful social entrepreneurs. Over the years the progammes of WDC has reached out to 16 tea garden villages of Jorhat &N.Lakhimpur districts of Assam. 6000 temporary workers are selected to increase their living conditions through alternative livelihood along with the impetus to educate themselves and their children.
