A SYMBOL OF OUR LOVE IN ACTION
The Malabar Mission is the most ambitious and holistic project undertaken by our Parish and stands as an eminent proof of themissionary vision of the Abu Dhabi Mar Thoma Church. With a view to express in deeds the love of Christ to the underprivilegedand the marginalized beyond the established boundaries, a suitable land of 5.5 acres had been acquired at Uppada, about 9KMs from Chungathara in Malappuram District. The project was aimed to be self-supporting by generating income from the
land and its produce. Initially an evangelist was appointed to start the mission work. The mission complex fund-raising was inauguratedby the then Episcopa, Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Irenaeus during Easter Sunday service on 6 April 1980. The constructionand development work of the following spanned over 6 years, with a total cost of INR 0.5 Million.
• Mission house for Evangelist/Missionaryto stay and work.
• Balavady (the first batch constituted45 children) and SundaySchool.
• Tailoring Institute – to teach cuttingand tailoring. The first batchincluded 35 girls.
• Weaving Institute – making varioustypes of mats (white/colouredmats, design mats, table mats )
• Vocational Training Institute –started in 1984. The first batchhad 30 students for various courses.
• Plantation – Rubber planted in approximately3 acres of land during 1983.
• Community Health Centre – A small clinic started in 1983, was expanded to a Health Centre in 1986.
• Chapel specially designed with provision for future expansion.
The mission complex significantly uplifts the Uppada community and its surroundings. Families, with no resources to make bothends meet, especially tribal children are getting the opportunity and standard facilities for education. Unemployed youths aretrained for earning their livelihood. Medical assistance is provided to the sick and needy. Above all the resident Evangelist proclaimsgospel to the surrounding villages. Later developments undertaken by the Diocese include Camp centre, Karunalayam
old age home, Self-help groups in 30 nearby villages, Child development centre with the help of Compassion International, etc.
Our Vicar Rev. Prakash Abraham was Director of the Mission Centre from 2007 to 2010.
