Socio-Economic Help
We provide socio-economic assistance for the disabled in a number of ways:
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Enabling the differently-abled to earn a livelihood
- Supplying equipment with which to earn a living:We supply equipment, such as sewing machines, to self-help groups of the differently-abled, allowing them to earn a living. For example, we started a centre for the differently-abled at Athoor near Tuticorin, equipping it with 3 wet grinding machines and soda-making machine; at present 10 differently-abled individuals earn their income using these machines.
- Providing interest-free loans:In some cases we help differently-abled entrepreneurs by lending them money. For example we provided a young shop owner in Mambalam (Chennai) with Rs. 10,000/- as an interest-free loan for a pushcart for his business.
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Financing landmark events
- Marriages: We provide a small sum of money with which underprivileged differently-abled couples can start their married life. The idea is not for them to spend a fortune on celebrations, but rather to allow them to have a simple ceremony at a temple and spend the rest of the money buying vessels and other household necessities.
- Constructing houses:We also assist the differently-abled in constructing houses, recently building a home for Rs. 10,000/-.
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Supplying provisions
We supply Rs.500/- worth of provisions (such as dhal, mustard, pepper, jeera, tamarind, chilli powder, etc.; rice is provided at a very cheap price by the government)every month to 127 families of leprosy patients and the visually challenged, throughout Tamil Nadu. This includes…
- Chennai (through Udhavum Ullangal)
- Vellore (through Udhavum Ullangal - Vellore)
- Tirupattur (through Udhavum Ullangal - Tirupattur)
- Tenkasi (through the Nivedita Charitable Trust)
- Tirunelveli
The supply of provisions plays a crucial role in endearing the leprosy patients to their families, who would otherwise be tempted to abandon them.
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Helping with an annual sports event
Our founder trustee is also a trustee of the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust. Every year, the Trust, along with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, organizes a sports meet in Chennai for the differently-abled, with events like kabadi, basketball, and cycling.
Over 1000 participants come to compete at each meet, and since 2005, we have taken on the responsibility of feeding them. 20-25 of our volunteers - some of them college students –coordinate to make sure that there is enough food for the whole day, and yet that not too much is left over after the event.
