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Southend Malayalee Association (SMA)
Southend
Malayalee Association (SMA) is voluntary organization working in
Southend-on-Sea and its surrounding areas in United Kingdom. SMA is a
full member of Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) and
national council of voluntary organizations (NCVO)
Mission
To be
umbrella organization for malayalee community in Southend-on-Sea to meet
their needs, advance their interest and develop partnership with other
organizations and agencies in pursuit of community cohesion and social
inclusion.
History
SMA
officially formed in 2006 after series of discussions in malayalee community
with the primary objective of developing an affluent, cohesive and
caring community. Ever since its inception SMA has undertaken various
activities to promote arts and culture and uplift the living standard of
many people. Through our activities we maintain traditional ties with
mother land India particularly Kerala and deepen the positive social and
cultural impact within the society. We also play part in reaching out to
and maintaining links to younger generation malayaleees.
It is of
vital importance that the families support and communicate with each
other in a healthy and highly motivated society. SMA is working towards
to spread and develop the art and cultural heritage of Kerala within the
Malayalee community aiming to retain as much of our traditions as
possible and to bring all the Malayalee families under one roof. SMA
intends to promote Kerala's Cultural heritage and traditions into
various other Communities in the UK, thus encouraging wider Community
development.
One of
the major contributions of the association has to create awareness in
those who are unfamiliar with the richness of language, literature, art,
music, dance and culture of Kerala. Through partnerships with other
similar minded organizations we aim to encourage and support the people
of Southend-on-sea to understand each other, Celebrate diverse social,
cultural, religious and ethnic heritage of our community and continuing
to work towards a harmonious, compassionate multi cultural society where
all valued and respected | 
