For whom:
50 girls from the 13 to 20 years old who do not have the possibility to attend school and pay for studies.

Goal of the project:
Give the possibility to study and learn an occupation for girls who would otherwise not be able, paying for the registration at the school, the necessary materials for study, the uniforms, food and health assistance.

Goal of the course of study:
Aid the girls to believe in their own potential and to develop their own abilities, through intellectual and physical means, in a way which gives them an opportunity in the work field. Furthermore, there is the intention to develop in the students a sense of dignity and a professional ethic with the goal of becoming independent workers. Inside the Deepam Home, the girls attend lessons including: English, mathematics, economics, sewing with a machine, shirt-making, crochet, cross-stitching, yoga courses and ecological gardening. Periodically, discussions are held on the development of human rights and the political and socio-economic conditions of the Jawadhi Hills. Through these they prepare to become responsible citizens, each of them is called to contribute to the housecleaning, the maintenance of discipline and the constant commitment to study and group work.

The village of Jawadhi Hills:
The Deepam Home for Tribal Girls is situated in the Jawadhi hills, in Tamil Nadu, in the Jamunamarathur quarter. Partly because of ignorance and partly because of poverty, around 30% of children have never gone to school; already during infancy they enter into the work force. Education results to be the only way to better the conditions of these people. All of the villagers in this zone are situated inside a forest and this creates no small problems for the students who must reach public schools far away from their houses. It was really this condition of disadvantage which motivated the Salesian Sisters to give life, in 2000, to a house for girls that would enable them to pursue their studies.

Person responsible for the project on the premises:
Sr. Amali Yacob - Deepam Home for Tribal Girls – Jamunamarathur – Jawadhi Hills - India.

Group responsible for the project in Italy:
Fondazione Volontariato Giovani e Solidarietà-Onlus
Via Gregorio VII, 133
00165 Roma
Tel. +39.06. 39379861
Fax. +39. 06. 632001
Email: coord.sos@vides.org

Cost:
150 Euro annually to cover the expenses of scholastic fees, uniforms, books, and didactic materials.

Furthermore, an additional 120 Euro annually will also guarantee that the girl receives a complete daily meal for an entire year.