The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God formed itself around John Cidade in Granada Spain from the early 1540’s. His care for the poor and needy encouraged the people of the city to name him John of God, the father of poor. Today, John of God’s follower form an International Organization of Brothers and Co-workers that underpins the existence and operation of some 390 health and social welfare services in 46 countries throughout the world. St. John of God Centre at Velloor was started in 1998 for the support and training of children and young adult with learning or intellectual disabilities (Those who are Intellectually challenged).
The center is auspiced by the society for the empowerment of the learning disabled (SELD), an agency established by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God in India. The aim of the Centre is to promote the well being and rehabilitation of the Intellectually challenged, creating awareness in society and among families about their obligation towards the Intellectually challenged and train them to live independently and assume their rightful place within this familiar and the boarder society. The Centre is a registered charitable organization for the development of the Intellectually challenged.
VISION | MISSION |
"The quality of life every intellectually challenged is equal to other citizens in the society" | "Our mission as it was lived out by St. John of God, is to commit ourselves to the hospitality that promotes education, training, advocacy, rehabilitation and welfare of the intellectually challenged by maximizing opportunities to develop their potential and participate as valued citizens of the society" |
St. John of God
Our Founder
St. John of God Centre, Velloor, celebrated Onam with great enthusiasm on the 9th and 10th of September 2024. The event saw active participation from intellectually challenged children, special education students, staff members, and the entire St. John of God community.
The main function, held on the 10th of September, was a vibrant display of cultural programs showcasing the talents of the children and students. The celebrations were graced by the presence of Mar. George Madathikandathil, the Bishop of Kothamangalam Diocese, who attended as the chief guest. His inspiring words were a highlight of the day, emphasizing inclusivity and the joy of community celebration.
The Onam festivities brought joy and a sense of unity to everyone at the centre, creating lasting memories for all involved.
On September 6th, 2024, St. John of God Centre marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of a new shop as part of its Vocational Training Unit. The initiative aims to provide hands-on training and skill development opportunities for individuals with intellectual challenges, helping them become more self-reliant. The new shop will showcase a variety of products crafted by the trainees, highlighting their talents and hard work. This endeavor is a crucial step towards enhancing vocational skills and promoting economic independence for the beneficiaries of the centre. The inauguration was attended by staff, trainees, and well-wishers, all celebrating this progressive move towards empowerment and inclusion.
On September 3rd, St. John of God Centre celebrated Teachers' Day with great
enthusiasm. The event coincided with the Kottayam District Special Educators'
Meetup, bringing together educators committed to the development of
intellectually challenged individuals. The day was marked by a motivational
class led by Mrs. Obiya, inspiring educators with her words of wisdom. Several
engaging games and activities were organized for the teachers, fostering
camaraderie and celebration of their vital role in society. Fr. Roy Vadakkel,
Chairman of the Association for the Intellectually Challenged (AID), graced the
occasion and delivered the presidential address, commending the educators for
their dedication to special education. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the
teaching community and their unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds.
St. John of God Centre in Velloor, Kottayam, marked India's
Independence Day with a vibrant celebration on August 15th. The event began at
7:30 AM with the ceremonial flag hoisting, followed by a series of cultural
programs that ran from 10 AM to 12 PM.
St. John of God Special
School, institution for intellectually disabled children,
organized school parliamentary election for the academic year 2024-2025 to give
students a sense of democracy and civic engagement. The election was held on
Friday, July 12, 2024, and the following
students were elected to these positions:
Head Boy: Amal
Sunny
Head Girl: Salu
S Baby
General
Secretary: Dipu Dinu
Sports
Captain: Arjun Gireesh
Arts
Club Secretary: Leon Shiji
FACULTIES
AWARD WINNING
FAMILY
“May Everything perish but not good works extend” – St John of God
“As water put out fire, so does charity wipe out sin” – St John of God
“Have charity towards the poor and those in need”- St. John of God
We owe God three things: love, service and reverence” – St John of God
Stay with God and go with God” – St John of God
“For the lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”
– Proverb 2:6
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out”
– Proverb 18:15
“Gold there is, rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel”
– Proverb 20:15
“The only truly happy person is the one who despises all things and loves Jesus Christ Alone”
– St. John of God