Stories of change
India
In 2015-2016 Assisi supported two projects in Tamil
Nadu, to strengthen people’s own capacity to establish,
operate and manage their own development initiatives.
Support for single women headed families
In India, widows, divorcees and single women are
frequently subjected to discrimination, impacting on their
psychological state, dignity, self-esteem and physical health.
Deprived of equal opportunities to participate in daily life,
many face isolation and poverty.
Assisi has now set up 28 Women’s Support Groups with
a total of 850 members. The groups provide a supportive
environment for women to connect, build confidence and
participate in livelihood, finance and business trainings.
Income generation training includes animal raising, organic
farming, food production, tailoring, candle making, setting
up small shops and access to microcredit and rolling loans.
Home visits, and group counselling sessions aim to restore
women’s self confidence and include awareness of human
rights and gender equality.
Since joining the Women’s Support Groups, many women
now have access to an income, which has led to improved
health, self confidence and status in the community.
The program has also set up 30 savings groups for
557 women and 16 village level development groups
with 201 members, including 45 men.
The Assisi self help group approach builds locally-led
support structures for long-term sustainable development.
Education for disadvantaged children
The children’s project continues to improve education for
1031 children through 23 tuition classes and 29 children’s
parliaments groups.
Children aged 8-16, attended evening study groups,
strengthening skills in language, maths and science as well
as learning important life-skills such as leadership, child
rights, gender equality, health, hygiene and protecting the
environment.
Pictured:
The project has set
up a Legal Aid Centre
in Lalgudi village to
provide free legal
advice for women and
also raise awareness
of women’s rights.
This year the project has introduced education materials,
which use a participatory and active learning approach. The
Eureka toolkit includes picture cards and maths games and
have been most popular with the children and their parents.
20 parents groups continued to meet monthly with
251 members. During meetings the groups discussed
child health and the importance of education. ❁
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