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Education
Merclin's Academic Success
Merclin passed her grade 10 exams with flying colours. Her mother did not expect her daughter to achieve such a great result, as she has had a tough upbringing, being born into poverty and losing her father months before she was born. Her mother learnt sewing and earned her living as a seamstress. Even with her limited income, she ensured that Merclin never went hungry and, more importantly, did her schoolwork. She could not guide her daughter in her studies since she attended school until grade 8, emphasising the need for educational programs for these young children. Mercilin attends the tutoring centre run by DAIA at Vellapati, near Tuticorin, daily, which has helped her achieve academic success with 449/500 marks.
Mercilin plans to pursue a science education. We are committed to helping and guiding children like Mercilin to achieve their full potential.
Ms. Gracelin's Achievements
Ms Gracelin, a 7th-grade Alagumuthu Nagar Tuition Centre student, won first prize in an oratory competition on behalf of the district-level railway department at Grace Engineering College, Thoothukudi. With the help of our tuition centre and guidance from our team, Gracelin has excelled at school, and her hard work is paying off. She is setting herself up for a successful career. We are immensely proud of her and her dedication to her studies.
Empower
Vasanthi's Community
DAIA works in rural villages surrounding Tuticorin, Tamilnadu. Jumbulingapuram is one of the panchayats where we have worked for the last three years. Vasanthi, a resident of Jumbulingapuram, recounts the transformation that occurred in her village, with DAIA bringing awareness programs.
“Our village has very few toilets. People don’t even think it is a necessity. Open defecation is very prominent in our village. With the awareness programs run by DAIA on hygiene and sanitation, most of our villagers have constructed toilets for their use. This keeps our village clean and protects us and our children from diseases. I am thrilled with the change our village has seen over these years; our community feels clean and hygienic, enhancing the overall quality of life in Jumbulingapuram”
Sankari's Dreams
Ms Sankari is 22 years old and was born and raised in the small village of S.Puthur. Her parents are daily wage labourers and could not afford to give her an education beyond grade 10 since this required her to travel to the nearby town and pursue her higher secondary school. Under this circumstance, they married her off as a 19-year-old. She lived with her husband for seven months, and then the tragedy struck. Her husband passed away due to a heart attack, and she was left on her own while still trying to navigate the world around her. She returned to her parents’ place without direction regarding what to do next.
It was then that she heard about the tailoring classes run by DAIA in her village. She joined the course and participated enthusiastically, trying to forget her worries. She finished her Course and applied for the start-up of her tailoring business. DAIA helped her set up the business and purchase the sewing machine. She now has her business running on a small scale. She has enough income to care for herself and support her ageing parents. Her parents are overjoyed with her newfound confidence.
Her dream is to improve her business and ensure she can be independent.
Ms Jenci's Hope
Jenci is 25 years old and was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when she was 15. The medical and physiotherapy bills were too expensive for her and her family, which limited her ability to be a functioning member of her community.
She heard about the DAIA run tailoring classes and joined the course. She gave her heart and soul to learning the tailoring skill. She developed a great interest in this skill and requested that DAIA purchase her a sewing machine. She was helped with the home business setup, and now she has a steady income to support herself. It has contributed to her mental and physical health. She is now confident and isn’t limited by her disability, becoming a self-sufficient community member.
Lakshmi's Business
Lakshmi is 37 years old. She lost the use of her legs when she was two years old. Ever since then, she navigated through her disability in the small village, and when she was old enough, she learned to tailor. She started to do some work for her neighbours and friends. When DAIA began the skill training program, she upskilled her tailoring skills and was helped to purchase an electric sewing machine. She started her own business. She takes orders from the nearby garment factory, and her business is growing. She is empowered now to take care of herself and her old mother.
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Embrace
Medical Camp Success
In April 2024, 58 patients attended the medical camp in Kovilpatti. Dr. Mummoorthy gave them a medical checkup, and they were issued medicines, nutrition packs, and a warm, healthy meal. The patients who regularly attend live longer and healthier lives, and many can work and provide for their families.
Embracing Ganesan
At 18 years old, Ganesan entered a relationship that impacted him negatively. A few years later, he received a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.
He fell ill quickly and didn't receive any support from his family, eventually disowning him when he needed them the most. With nowhere to go, he spiralled further into sickness and despair with only a small support network to help him through this tough time. He weighed just 28kg and could not move around independently. Some of his friends heard about DAIA and connected him to some staff who were able to give him the attention he needed and took him to a nearby hospital, where he was able to start treatment.
DAIA gave him nutrition and moringa powder to build up his immune system, which helped him regain his strength to move around independently. Over time, he grew stronger and eventually found work. He chose to volunteer at a government organisation to educate young people about HIV/AIDS.
Today, he is employed by the same organisation, and he travels the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu to bring awareness of HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases and their physical, emotional and social implications. He also volunteers at DAIA medical camps. He says, "I lost my own family because of this disease, but now I have such a big family whom I love and care for, and I am also cared for.”
We are incredibly proud of Ganesan's development. He continues to demonstrate the power of embracing others and is a valued member of the DAIAs volunteer team.
