Thamarai stands for equity and full potential for everyone. We are a cross cultural team who strive to provide an enabling environment for people to thrive through education, health care, sports and leadership programs in villages around Auroville. We want everyone to have the opportunity to thrive and be change-makers for the well-being of local communities and the wider world.
Since 2006, Thamarai Community Education Projects have provided educational services in the most marginalised sections of the villages next to the international township of Auroville in Tamil Nadu, India. Our current projects support children and youth from these villages, through after-school projects for around 90 children. In addition, regular health care and well-being programs are provided at local schools and at work units/villages centres for adults with a vision to promote health and well being for all.
Challenge
Over the years, Thamarai has worked to counter low literacy and income levels. We also work on social issues such as health and addiction – a major problem, leading to other difficulties such as debt, domestic abuse and children discontinuing education due to lack of finance. Academically, many parents are challenged with low literacy rates, they send their children for homework support, we aspire to respond to their needs as effectively as possibly using technology and extra curricular activities to continually enrich programs.
Solution
Access to educational resources and opportunities change lives. Our after-school project supports children and youth with their academics as well as personal growth. Programs include English classes, digital literacy, leadership, arts and health activities along with homework support under the guidance of volunteer facilitators. Our well being programs empower people to be more informed about their health and to adopt life enhancing practices. RTL leadership programs develop agency in people and the ability to design and implement projects that support improving their own lives and the full potential of their community.
Long-Term Impact
Our projects have been running for the past 18 years. The children who once attended our after-school projects are now college graduates and back as volunteer youth facilitators on the current Thamarai programs. The health programs have and will continue to improve the conditions of the villages as people become informed about health and well being. The programs help to reduce alcohol consumption and instead focus on building agency, community development and education.