Student of the Day Needing Sponsorship

Students in Tamil Nadu, India Need Sponsorship for Secondary School

A Project of Empowering Girls of India: Division of Sakthi Foundation

501(c)3 USA tax-exempt
Click to Donate $275 =Tuition for Year
Click to Donate $100 =Teacher Salary for a Month

Click to Donate Any Amount for Library and Science Lab

CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR CHILD OF THE DAY: BALACHANDAR

Andovar School in Porayar, Tamil Nadu, India is a historic school. One of Mahatma Gandhi's freedom fighters in this area of South India, heeded Gandhi's charge to set up schools to educate the population. And so Andovar School was started about 60 years ago and the original building is in use today.

My goal is to help raise the $10,000 needed to allow the school to offer secondary education for the 37 students that will be graduating this year. There are a total of 150 students in the school. Getting the secondary school option in place will also benefit many more students through the coming years.

$10,000 will cover 3 teachers' salary for the year ($100 per teacher per month) as well as the creation of a science lab, library and extra classrooms for the school. This is a big transition for the school and government funding is not available.

Without a local secondary school, these kids will not be able to continue their education. The household incomes of the families are under $100 a month. A lot of kids these student's age will start working after 8th grade. 

These students are bright and motivated and have dreams that require at least a high school education. The teachers are devoted and the school administrators are committed to providing the education they need to reach university.

It's a grassroots effort and your donation will go a long way to help these students.

All Donations Appreciated

My Visit To Andovar School September 20

www.empoweringgirlsofindia.org / 001-641-919-2105 / empoweringgirlsofindia@gmail.com

 Students in Tamil Nadu, India Need Sponsorship for Secondary School

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501(c)3 USA tax-exempt
$275 =Tuition for Year
$100 =Teacher Salary for a Month

My trip to India this summer was wonderful. The highlight by far was my visit to the Andovar School in Poraiyar, Tamil Nadu. This is the rural school that I am working to expand to the secondary school level in conjunction with the Shakthi Foundation.

About 140 boys and girls attend the school. The majority of the children are from extremely poor backgrounds. Average household income of $100 a month or less. Poraiyar is a coastal town and most fathers work as fisherman or laborers. 

I had seen a few photos of the school and children so I was not completely surprised when we pulled up to the gate.

I was warmly greeted with a traditional welcome ceremony by one of the teachers. Dr. Madeshwaran, the school administrator, accompanied me during my morning at the school. You will see him also in the welcome video.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WELCOME VIDEO

After the welcome, I toured the classrooms and premises. The school has no electricity or lights, no computers, no library.  A simple lunch is cooked over open fire on the school premises. The school has had basically no improvements or expansion since its founding 60 years ago.

One of the classrooms at the school

Lunch in Progress

I was greeted by warm smiles, shy glances and occasional whispering and waving.  The mood turned very exuberant and enthusiastic as it was announced that I would be passing out ice cream treats for everyone!

CLICK HERE TO SEE US ENJOYING ICE CREAM TOGETHER

A little later, the teachers called the students to the open courtyard. This courtyard serves as assembly hall, lunch room and game area. I was formally introduced and had a chance to speak to the students. Dr. Madeshwaran served as my translator. The students study English but their native language is Tamil.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR INTRODUCTION

The school courtyard and assembled students.

In my greeting, I tried to convey to the students that they had something very special and precious at their school. Although they had few educational resources, their enthusiasm, respect for their school and teachers and interest in learning were apparent to me even during my short visit.

I expressed to them that there were people that I knew that were very interested in helping them fulfill their goals to be teachers, doctors, policemen, accountants. 

Without a secondary school next year-these dreams for a better future will not be possible. I told them that we would do everything we could to insure that they could continue on with high school next year.

Child of the Day

Nivash would like to be a computer engineer

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