SOCIAL SERVICE LEAGUE
The Social Service League
(SSL) of St Xavier’s College was founded by Fr. M.M.
Balaguer in 1951. It is a voluntary organization made up
of student members concerned about socially relevant
issues. There is no formal registration. Those
interested join in spontaneously and involve themselves
in the many projects organized by the League. There is
generally a core group of about 40 members. Others,
because of time constraints or other commitments, join
in for one or other of the projects. This number may
cross 100, as happens in Project Care.
The
SSL is run by the Principal as Chairperson, the Director
and a committee of four student members – General
Secretary, Asst.-General Secretary (2) and a Treasurer.
Each of the projects has two project secretaries who see
to the running of that particular project under the help
and guidance of the executive committee. For all these
posts applications are invited and appointments are made
based in interviews held.
The SSL has a
small but homely office on the ground floor under the
staircase near the basketball court. The office is well
situated and students passing up and down may be drawn
into the office itself or get information about the SSL
projects from the SSL noticeboard nearby.
Funds for the activities of the
SSL are mainly collected through sponsorship drives
organized by the SSL members themselves.
The
activities and projects of the
SSL include the following:
1.
An Orientation Day: A
mini-exhibition of the SSL and all its projects. Posters
are put on display and the activities are explained to
those coming to the exhibition.
2.
Team Building Camp: A group of
about fifty SSL members are taken to the villa in
Khandala for a three-day camp on team-building and
leadership. More detailed information is also given
about the SSL and its projects. It is expected that
these fifty members will all the more involve themselves
in the activities of the SSL on their return to Mumbai.
3
Cheshire Home Visits: Contact is
kept with Cheshire Home through visits. On special
occasions (Diwali… Christmas...) a party is organized
(lunch… gifts… entertainment) for the inmates.
4
Blood Donation drives: Twice a
year blood donation drives are organized in the college.
5
Annual Exhibition : Every year, a
two day poster exhibition is held in the hall on a
selected theme ( Environment, Old Age..etc.). Research
is done and information is collected on the theme. This
is then attractively presented on posters for the
exhibition. During the exhibition there may also be a
sale of articles made by social organizations
6.
Project Care : A special two-day
camp is held in the month of December for about 100
socially disadvantaged children from selected
institutions. Prior to the camp, volunteers visit these
institutions and interact with the children. The camp
itself consists of outings, games, creative exercises,
song and dance and a special Christmas party for the
children. Meals, snacks and gifts are given to the
children. The children and volunteers relate on a
one-to-one basis for the two days of the camp.
7.
Rural Camp (Manual Work): During
the Diwali vacations, a ten-day camp is held in one of
the villages in Ashagad. Manual work is the main
activity of the camp. Depending on the need of the
place, the work may be levelling of fields, building of
bunds, digging foundations for a new school building or
something similar. Other activities of the camp include
interaction with the villagers, putting up some
entertainment programme with them or organizing a “mela”
or fair for the children of the village.
As and when required there may be
other activities that the SSL may get involved in
(Cleanliness drives, peace marches, etc.).
