INTRODUCTION
“Do not give fish to eat but teach them how to catch fish”- Chinese Proverb
From the year 2000 VEMBU is involved not in developing people but in creating an
atmosphere of positive environment and opportunities to enhance people to develop
themselves. As people developed VEMBU also developed with them and grew with them. The
empowerment of people continues through various activities which are by nature
participatory.
VISION
“Society holistically developed and sustained where every human being is ensured
human dignity and social justice”.
OUR MISSION
OUR MANDATES
Make villages child labour free by providing them awareness, quality education, health
care and recreation, with a special focus on girl children
Facilitate children through children’s parliament and child rights clubs and make them
involved in designing their life and society
Organise youth to build a positive self-profile, acquire vocational skills and become self
reliant and advocates of human rights.
Empower women socially, economically and politically to achieve equality in
opportunities and status, and gain capacity for community leadership
Mobilise and sensitise local civic bodies, village committees, government departments and
voluntary agencies on Children’s Justice, build a network of child protection and
community development
OUR BELIEFS
Children’s Justice first. All children have the right to quality formal education, health care
and recreational opportunities. An emphatic NO to child labour.
Asserting gender equality and extending gender sensitive methodologies in all
interventions is a way towards women empowerment
WITH CHILDREN
“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no
duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is
protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.” –
Kofi Annan.
VEMBU takes pride in being with the children in the remote villages. It takes more
pride in being of support to children of remote villages who are of the first generation of
learners. We educate and empower them through child rights promotion activities and school
dropout prevention programmes.
1. CHILDREN’S HOME
“God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That's our job. Raising
children and helping the community, that's preparing for the next generation.”
DikembeMutombo
Children’s home helps the boys from poor families and from villages where transport
facilities are not good to go to school. They stay our Vembu Boys’ Home from Monday to
Friday. Saturday and Sunday, all of them go to their homes to be with their parents. In this
way they are not unnecessarily separated from their families. This year we had 19 boys in the
home. We had also renewed our boy’s home for five years and got the certificate from the
state government.
Most of our children in the villages where we concentrate are of learners of first
generation. Their parents have mostly not been to schools in their life. These reasons and
poverty in general requires that we constantly motivate and enhance their capacity to learn
and monitor them from discontinuing their education. Dropout Prevention Centres help them
to study jointly with other children with the supervision of an adult. Our main motive is to
develop skills and talents among the students and to prevent the students from going to work.
We nearly cater to 900 children through the dropout prevention centre and we are having 24
centres of such and they are the following.
Statistical Data
In view of cultivating the saving mentality among the students, the students are
encouraged to save some money for themselves. This has made the students to save money
for their future. During the year 2017-2018, the total savings of the students were Rs.
75,657.00
Tuticorin Child line, caters to the unreached children through VEMBU. Through their
service, counselling and motivational courses are given to both the children as well as their
parents. Awareness is created among the children and parents regarding child marriage,
sexual harassment, child labour, and so on. So far nearly 1300 students got benefitted from
their services.
Every month from Vembu we release a booklet on various social issues and other
cultural issues. This is mainly done to encourage the students to create an interest in reading
books at the same time, in view of creating awareness among the students. These booklets
have reached majority of the school students in Tamilnadu. There are more than 400 students
get benefitted from these issues. For the year 2018 – 2019, we have planned to reach more
than 50000 students through these booklets.
SUMMER CAMP
On behalf of VEMBU, summer camps for the students from all the 24 centres were
conducted. These camps were conducted during the months of April and May. The children
were kept busy with various party games, awareness songs, competitions, value based games,
quiz competitions; this camp was organized for the children in order to make the best use of
the summer. Around 1168students benefitted themselves through this camp.
Children must be found in the school during day time, not in the field grazing cattle. To make
this a reality it is very important not only to send the children to school but also to motivate
and educate the parents. As most of the parents are not educated in the school system, they
need more animations. We organise meetings for them once in three months. we animate
them on various topics.
CHILDREN PARLIAMENTS
“No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution... revolution is
but thought carried into action.” Emma Goldman
Children are leaders. They have rights and duties. Children Parliaments provides
opportunities for children to exercise their rights. They observe, think and express their
Number of
S. No Month Programme
Participants
01 April Grama Saba (Budget) 835
02 June Leadership Skill Training 765
03 July Election for Children Parliament 987
04 August Petitioning in the Grama Saba 876
05 September Leadership Skill Training 785
October Grama Saba (Petitioning for 678
06
Eradicating the Tas Mac)
07 November Protection Law 987
January Training of Great Leaders 675
08
(French Revolution)
A training programme for the 70 students of Anbu Illam, Coimbatore was held in
Coimbatore. The students were trained well in getting to know their rights and duties. As part
of the training, the students themselves were made to analyze their situations and were asked
to come up with possible solutions. The animation programme was more of interactive and a
thought provoking one. The students gained knowledge of their rights, duties and
responsibilities.
An orientation programme for the children of Kovilpatty was organized. Fr. Arockiam,
the director of Vembu clearly explained the roles and responsibilities of the leaders, how new
laws are made etc. Mr. Devaraj, explained clearly the modality of conducting the elections.
Nearly 45 students took part in the orientation programme and gained knowledge about the
Children’s Parliament. The same orientation was given for the pre-novices who are aspiring
themselves to be priest.
Impact of Children’s Parliament
As mentioned above, “No real social change has ever been brought about without a
revolution.” through children’s parliament in various villages, new initiatives are carried out
in the villages. In some villages, efforts have been made to solve water and sanitation issues.
The increase of heat and the decrease of rain over the years in and around
Vilathikulkam have made everyone realize the need to care for the earth. Earth needs not only
the human beings but also the plants, trees and all other entities. To inculcate this we have
eco clubs in the villages. in many villages.
During this year we conducted special rally inaugurated by the Tashildar Mr. Selva
kumar on 19th November 2017 in Vilathikulam. In view of giving awareness to the people the
evening study centre children took active part in the rally on eco concern. The children not
only created awareness but also planted many trees in their home, villages and also in
Government Hospital, Vilathikulam. We have planned many trees in 16 villages of our eco
club.
In September 250 children were given 4 types of vegetable seeds to make kitchen
gardens in their homes. This was done in view of promoting interest in children to care for
nature. They were also followed up by the village animators.
On 5thNovember 2017 around 60 different trees were distributed to the centers which
are working under Vembu Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam. The centers are Thulukankulam,
Kadalkudi, Latchmipuram, Kanthasamypuram, Sangralingapuram, Vowalthothi, E.
Velayuthapuram, V.Vedapatti and Melmanthai.
On 10th November 2017 Vembu Vembu Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam distributed some 209
herbal curry leaf plants to the centers which are in Thulukankulam, Kadalkudi,
Latchmipuram, Kanthasamypuram, Sangralingapuram, Vowalthothi, E. Velayuthapuram,
V.Vedapatti and Melmanthai.
NURSERY GARDEN
Every month the students are given training on various themes. In the month of March,
awareness on food habits especially, the students were made aware of the colored food that
which are not healthy to their life. The impact of eating fast food and other stuffed items were
explained to the students and the students promised not to eat any junk food or fast food etc,
rather they have promised to eat healthy and organic food like, fresh vegetables, fruits,
greens, nuts, etc.
IMPACT OF ECO CLUBS
They became more concern towards preserving nature and keep the environment
clean by not using the plastics and chemicals.
Started distinguishing organic and non-organic wastes.
They grow herbal and vegetable plants in their homes are useful for them in many
ways.
They could identify the herbal plants which are found in the road side and the river
beds, which are not being preserved.
The students and the parents are aware of the unhealthy food habits.
The students and the parents have promised for a better life.
100 youngsters from our working villages gathered in Vembar village situated near the sea.
They cooked their meal for lunch and had a lot of joyful programmes. In between the
programmes, they were fed with short information and life messages on modern and current
issues.
Impacts
The Cycle rally was organized by the Vembu Youth federation on 19th August 2017 from
Ettayapuram to Vilathikulam in view of world’s peace and unity. The rally covered almost the
distance of twenty kilometres, hundred and twenty both boys and girls were participated. The
rally was filled with cultural programs and special talks by the chief guests. In order to spread
the message the leaflets were issued on the way and special talks were delivered in the main
stations.
Through Dr. Huber’s scholarship scheme, VEMBU is very happy to support 26 youngsters this
year who are continuing their higher studies in various colleges and institutions. It is a big help for the
youth who wish to continue their higher education. We are grateful to the Donor.
Scholarship
S.No Name Village
Amount
01 Mariammal Vilathikulam 20000
02 Sona Thulukkankulam 30000
03 Manonmani Vilathikulam 25000
04 Anushya Vilathikulam 30000
05 Saravanakumar Vilathikulam 20000
06 Santhiya Lakshmipuram 30000
07 Karthikraja Lakshmipuram 25000
08 C.Mounishaa Vilathikulam 20000
09 N.Thangaraj Thulukkankulam 20000
10 A.Rengeela Kovilpatti 20000
11 S.Anitha Kovilpatti 20000
12 M.Meena Kovilpatti 30000
13 M.Esakkimuthu Kovilpatti 30000
14 K.Mahendrakumar Kovilpatti 20000
15 D.SathyaBharathi Kovilpatti 20000
16 S.Suryakumar Kovilpatti 20000
17 T.Shanmugalakshmi Kovilpatti 20000
18 E.Santhiga Kovilpatti 10000
19 S.Sasikala Rettiyapatti 20000
20 Vennila.M Kovilpatti 20000
21 Palavesam Vaathalakarai 20000
22 B.Krishnamoorthy Kovilpatti 20000
23 G.Lakshmipriya Kovilpatti 20000
24 S.Premkumar Vilvamarathupatti 20000
25 S.Hemalatha Vilathikulam 20000
26 M.Sangavi Vilathikulam 20000
INR 5,70,000
Impacts
Through this their involvement and responsibility towards the society are increased.
The Emmaus Project does help many children to continue their education. It also helps
the children for their higher education. I firmly believe that the Emmaus project is a big help
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Failure is part of life. It needs to be accepted and managed. Children also fail in their public
exams. Some discontinue their studies for some reasons. It’s not or it should not be the end of
their education. We create opportunity for this particular category of children and youth to
write the government exams with private coaching.
Impact
As outcome of this education some continued their higher studies such as Diploma and
Degree courses.
Some got good job opportunities in different fields like driving, nursing and in
industries.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
We also provide skill trainings for youngsters in typing, computer and tailoring. Besides these
skills we conduct personality development sessions for them.
1. Tailoring
Tailoring training enables women to get employment in their locality. Besides they can also
stitch clothes that are needed for their family. This year 50 young women learned tailoring
from Vembu.
2. Typing
Typing skill is an essential one that is expected of government employment. Typing enables
them to get jobs quickly. This year 43 young men and women got themselves trained in
typing.
3. Handicrafts Trainings
This is another essential training that brings job placement for the young women. This
year 89 women got trained in this trade.
Computer education is a must for every sector. This also brings employment to the young
people. This year 13 students were trained in computer education
They do not depend on others for money and for other needs of their children and
family, whereas they earn through their own skills staying in their own homes.
These trainings are useful to get Government jobs and in some Private companies.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
"Feminism isn't about making women strong. Women are already strong. It's about
changing the way the world perceives that strength." —G.D. Anderson
Women come together in villages and make a meaningful contribution to the growth of the
society. They not only look after their families but also involve in the development of village
Economical development is very important for the family and for the society. The quality of
the family depends more on the economic condition. VEMBU supported the women with
knowledge and resources to begin small scale development works like cow and goat rearing,
and small shops in the villages. This has helped them to have an additional income in the
family. 131 women and 4 SHG received monetary support to the tune of Rs. 26, 75,000.00.
SPS is another project through which we help the SHG women to begin micro enterprise and
thus to improve their income generation. During the financial year 2017 -2018, 27 women
benefitted from this project and we have distributed Rs. 4,10,000.00 to the SHG women in
order to generate their income. It also helps them to improve their economic standard and
education of children.
Women 1000+ is also a project that is meant for micro enterprise. The objective of this project
is to reduce risks and increase the probability of success by: 1. providing better and more
extensive training; 2. giving closer guidance and coaching; 3. making better use of expertise 4.
Utilizing experience and lessons learned 5. Emphasizing more on social pressure from the
SHG’s on borrowers. During the financial year 2017-18, we have reached nearly 104 women
and we have distributed Rs. 18,05,000.00 to the SHG women.
People’s Bank is the initiative of SHG women of Valamai Trust, Vilathikulam. It has got nearly
100 SHGs amounting to nearly 1600 women. People’s Bank gives loan to the SHG women who
are covered under Valamai trust. During the financial year 2017-2018, 4 SHGs got benefitted
and we distributed Rs. 4,60,000.00 to the women.
Through the training from Organic Farming, People learned to produce Panja kaviya
They also cultivated garden in their houses.
They became small entrepreneurs through the training.
After getting the awareness on legal side people have got benefitted in getting the
legalized house and land documents.
They also claimed their birth and death legal certificate from the government.
Some of the issues related women also were sorting out through this training.
The income of women is increased and the economic standard of the family has
increased
The quality of life is also increased.
Impacts
SIRPI (meaning sculptor in Tamil) is the cultural troupe of the organization. The troupe
is comprised of children, youth and women. Emancipation and revival of the people’s arts
through dances, songs, skits and sensitizing people through the same are two purposes of the
troupe. We train the members on every Sunday from 1.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. There are 25
members who are part of the team.
Impacts
Youth and Children learned the folk arts and they used them in creating awareness to
the people on various tradition and culture of society.
In order to create a collegiality among all the religions of vilathikulam region, Sarva Samaya
Manithaneya Iyakkam was originated. The members from all the religions have become the
part of this movement.
Impacts
The leaders and people of different religions are come together for all the common
social programs without fanatic mentality.
People with different problems and life issues such as marriage, unemployment, love failure,
Domestic violence, Dowry which are making the life very complicated, sort out by the
counselling. The counsellor is arranged especially for the vembu students and for the people
who are acquainted with the institution.
Impacts
Many family problems such as disunity between couples, alcoholism, depression, love
failure and other mental and emotional problems were sort out by the counselling cell
which exists in our institution.
Vembu conducted Job placement program through Vazhikatti movement for the rural
poor youth once in three months every year. 400 youngsters were participated and 90
youngsters have got job opportunity in different companies.
Impacts
Our institution gave an assurance to the youngsters that we are accompanying in their
career guidance through this job opportunity program.
READER’S CLUB
Impacts
They developed the habit of reading good books and spend the time in a useful way.
Their perspectives toward the society changed by reading and reflecting books.
Every month Vembu staffs are animated on different themes in order to be more
fruitful in the service of rural people. Highly qualified resource persons are invited for the
animation of the staff.
Cultural Night
CONCLUSION
VEMBU’s success is also in the journey it makes with the people, a journey towards
empowerment of socially neglected children, youth and women. The journey needs support,
support of not one but many. VEMBU received this support from many individuals and
organisations. WE are VERY GREATFUL to ALL. Our special thanks to Mamma Grond
Starmans, Kinderhilfe Emmaus, Father Schlooz Foundation, SPS, Dr. Hauber, German
Volunteers, The Salesian Province of Tiruchy and all the well wishers.