Achievements in FY 2007-08

a. Vidya Vikasini evening classes for rural children in the age group 10-14 were continued vigorously in two talukas of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu, besides in one taluk in Nagapattinam. The beneficiary community in the latter, has started making a significant local contribution. An average of 1050 children are benefitting out of whom 660 are girls. A little more than 10% belong to the SC/ST category and 27% come from most backward categories.
b. 100% success rate repeated under our special coaching classes for poor students appearing from rural areas for Board examinations of Grade 10 and 12. Out of the beneficiaries numbering 53 girls, 20% come from SC/ST categories.
c. In a new project of teaching computer and internet literacy to rural children, 400 children were trained (250 girls; 50 from SC/ST and 70 were from most backward category).
d. We enlisted the enthusiastic cooperation of the management and medical staff of the famous Vadamalayan Hospital in Madurai, in conducting a large rural women’s health camp, benefiting about 300 women. Follow up observation and medicine supplies, and substantial local contribution were hallmarks of this effort. With this, we have done 4 health camps for poor women in deep interior areas, in two years and have evolved a good design for this greatly appreciated service.
e. With a view to encouraging artisans in the dying art of rural puppetry, called bommalattam in Tamil Nadu, and to educate rural folks in a wholesome medium of entertainment, twelve custom-designed bommalattam shows were conducted. The total audience numbered about 10,000 poor villagers.