Dindigul is a growing industrial and commercial town. It is known as ‘The City of Locks and Tannery’ due to its association with the leather tanning industry and the manufacture of iron locks. A large proportion of Dindigul’s population suffers from severe poverty and many children suffer neglect, abuse and exploitation. Children migrate to Dindigul in search of jobs to help support themselves and their families. Children find work in teashops, restaurants, textile mills and tanneries while others resort to rag picking, begging and/or petty theft. Many of these children end up living on the streets in extreme poverty and often forgo school attendance for informal work.
Established in 2000, SPEDY Dindigul provides shelter, care and educational facilities for street and working children and orphans. SPEDY’s outreach team provides a link with the community who assists them in identifying vulnerable children. Once contacted, the children are informed of the SPEDY facilities available to them. In addition to shelter, food, medical care and counselling, the children have access to formal and non-formal education. Having sacrificed their education to help support their families, many working children are left with minimal literacy and numeracy skills. Informal education classes suit the daily routine and diverse standards and abilities of working children in Dindigul. Any children wishing to attend school are provided with educational support, such as provision of uniforms and school materials. SPEDY Dindigul also provides vocational training courses, which are also open to children from Palani. These courses, which are linked to viable income generating activities, last for six months and include a one month work placement in local workshops. All trainees are given help in finding full-time employment. |
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