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Madurai Sevashram
Girls Home, founded in 1956, is a permanent project in Tamil Nadu,
which is the most southern state of India. Madurai is a city of over
a million people with one of India’s largest Hindu temples.
The home provides
accommodation for Destitute Children - currently it supports 100+
Girls, all of whom are ‘semi-orphans’ or orphans, between the ages
of 5 and 17. Over the past 50 years the project, which is run by a
local committee of ladies, has provided basic accommodation and
shelter, assisted by some local government and Rotary funding. The
Joe Homan Charity aims to help improve the standards and facilities
this project offers.
The majority of girls
have never been outside Madurai, a city of many slums, and know
nothing outside the poverty of their deprived lives. Many of them
have suffered a great deal and the security and happy atmosphere
gradually help the mental scars to fade and heal.
Education
Primary schooling for the younger girls (up to 5th Standard) is
provided in small classrooms within the project. The three teachers,
who are paid by the government, are sometimes assisted by older
girls who are training to be teachers themselves. The classrooms are
basic and without desks or seats. All the children use a slate and
chalk, with books at a premium.
From 6th standard
onwards, the girls will go to the local government Secondary school
nearby, and are encouraged to remain at school until they complete
10th Standard (at age 16 – the equivalent of GCSE). Current
opportunities for further training thereafter are limited.
Life in the Girls Home
Each child in the Girls Home is allocated small tasks to complete
daily, in addition to evening homework and study. The older girls
act as mentors for the younger children, and help them to adjust to
life here and guide them in the ways of the project. The diet is
simple, mainly rice with vegetables, chutney and sauces, with any
special needs being catered for. The older girls take it in turn to
assist the cook in food preparation and serving. All the children
receive a medical examination once a year.
Madurai Sevashram Girls’ Home is a
happy and relaxed place and, although poor, the living conditions
are 100% better then the girls would get at home. The girls really
appreciate the opportunity to enjoy their childhood, and also have
the chance of an education to benefit them in later years. There is
an abundance of laughter. |
