Goodness goes around!Diya Varghese and Marie Acht (both living in Germany) turned 18 in May 2018. Like every other child, they had their birthday party along with their friends. However, instead of getting presents from their friends, they decided to collect the money and donate it for a good cause. It was at that time, Diya approached me to provide the funds for the Ookhi Victims through Ookhi - The Empowerment Project.The batch of students from EraviputhenThurai were requesting additional training, through which they wanted to be experts in tailoring. We decided to use the funds from Diya and Marie for the Eraviputhenthurai team. We extended their training session for a month and after completion, we organised these participants to form a Self Help Group (under Mahalir Thittam from TamilNadu Government). With the initial investment provided to them, they purchased clothes, made Nighties and sold them in their villages (did not earn profit, though). We went along with them to the Wholesale dealers in Nagercoil and got a deal - so that they get the clothes at a cheaper price. With the second set of clothes provided to them, they have made nighties which they were all able to sell for profit. Now, this team has identified the market in their village and are into stitching womens wear, making profits.
When we spoke about Kerala Flood relief measures, to my surprise, they offered to stitch nighties for free of cost from their Self Help Group! They have not forgotten the help and support which they have received from others during their distress time. Today, with the next round of clothes provided to them, these people are stitching nighties for our friends in Kerala as a part of the Kerala Flood relief support!
None of these would have happened without such a noble thought and support from Diya and Marie. What a way to turn from childhood to adulthood. All I understood was, it is not the age which matters, but the way you think and act and more importantly, Goodness just goes around!
Thank you Diya and Maire for your kind heart and you do not know how many lives you both have touched! May God bless you both!

As of now, we have provided:

1. Value added Fish products training for 20 participants from Poothurai, completed
2. Tailoring classes for 24 participants from Poothurai, completed
3. Tailoring classes for 30 participants from Colachel, completed
4. Tailoring classes for 23 participants from Eraviputhenthurai, on-going
5. Tailoring classes for 30 participants from Marthantamthurai and Neerodi, completed
6. Making shell and craft products for a class of 48 participants from Poothurai, on going.
7. Second batch of tailoring classes for 28 participants from Eraviputhenthurai, on-going

In addition to the above training sessions, a machine for making coir from coconut fiber was supplied with a start up financial help to three people so that they can begin an independent enterprise of supplying coir to local buyers.

Start up financial help was provided for the group that trained to make value added fish products to produce and sell their ware in the neighborhood.  The group has been successful in running a profitable business till date.

Start up support was provided for 20 participants in poothurai to stitch nightdress for women which were sold for a profit in the neighborhood.

Individual Self help groups were created/being created with the fish products group, shell products group and tailoring groups in all the locations.

Financial help in the form of school fees was provided for children who lost the earning member in the family.

School bags were supplied to 150 children including those who had lost their homes in the hurricane.

On-going work:

The tailoring classes were conducted in collaboration with Indueuro, a Tirupur based garment exporting company (http://www.indeuro.com/).   Students were assessed for their tailoring skills by professionals from the company and a certificate of course completion was issued for qualified students.  The students are now starting their own ventures as a group or as individuals and have starting earning money using their skills.

We are in the process of opening tailoring centers in Neerody and Marthandamthurai where students can bring their own orders and material and use the machines we provide to fulfill them..  We are also in the process of opening a shop in Nagercoil where the merchandise produced by the trainees could be sold to public.  In addition to this walk-in store we are also exploring the possibility of selling these products along with Indeuro products through an online store.  Corporate bulk orders from for creating personalized products for their needs is also being pursued at this time.  

Dear Supporters,
Thank you for your support.

Happy to Share that, while the first batch of tailoring is on-going, today we have started the classes for the second batch of students from Neerody, at the John bonal social welfare centre,  Marthandanturai,  Kollemcode.

The classes would last for 3 months and 9 participants have enrolled themselves.

 We look forward for your support and love.

Thank you.