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Little Flower Projects
For Children
Little Flower provides children with an opportunity for schooling, games and sports. Self-confidence and community spirit are encouraged, hopefully leading them to stand up for social integration and human rights in their society.
For Women
Little Flower supports initiatives, which strengthen women's equality and independece within their families and communities. In women's groups and training programs, they learn reading and writing, health care, home economics, handicrafts, etc.
They develop self-confidence and learn to express their creativity. Qualified and motivated people run the Little Flower projects. They are independent and work with all people regardless of their background. |
UPPUPARAI
UPPUPARAI Project at Perumalmalai has been initiated by Bodhi Zendo (1999) as it is our neighbouring village. Financial help is provided for medical needs, education of children and professional training. Evening classes for school - going children have been set up as well. A health care center, set up in the village with a well trained nurse, provides medical attention to the people. Besides that, seven Self Help Groups, consisting of 120 village women, have been formed and are coordinated by a staff.
PEARL Centre
PEARL Centre at Paramakudi - People's Education Among Rural Landless - is a lay people's movement which was started in November 1994.
The most affected among the poor landless are the bird catchers or "hunters" who are homeless. PEARL takes care of 60 children from this community. For school-going children, evening classes, coaching camps and scholarships for school / hostel admission are provided to enable the children to have access to education. Outreach workers take literacy, nutrition and hygiene information to the marginalised communities.
And a special half-year training scheme for women and girls teaches them vocational skills (tailoring, making embroidery cards, etc) and at the same time gives them education and raises their status in society. PEARL has so far formed 125 Self Help Groups consisting of 2017 women belonging to 40 villages of Paramakudi and Mudukulattur blocks.
KARISAL
KARISAL - KAmarajar district Rural Institute for SocialAction and Liberation Was started in 1993 in Alangulam, Virudhunagar district. This institute empowers the Aruntathiars, who are dalitis among the dalits, and other dalit groups in their fight against untouchability and other human rights through education, awareness and leadership programs.
Muthan Illam is the hostel for the school - going dalit students (from 6th std to 12th std) under KARISAL. The students here are well taken care in their studies by special tutoting. Besides that, they are exposed to regular and periodical extra - curricular activities.
POWER HEALEE
POWER HEALEE - Peoples Organiszation of Women's Empowerment, Rural HEALth Education and Economic development - started in 1991, now situated in Madurai and Tuticorin, and catering to the needs of the children of bonded labourers and Sri Lankan refugees. These helpless children are accommodated in the boarding, provided basic education and taken care of. They are also exposed to awareness programs in order to empower them with a sense of equality, dignity and self - confidence.
Individual Help is also provided by Little Flower. This includes education or special training for individual children in our close surrounding, as recommended by the Jesuit Priests, and general help such as medical help for poor families, and an emergency relief for house repairs.
Little Flower is an initiative started by Fr. AMA Samy SJ and his students.
Fr. AMA Samy is a Zen master (trained under the late Yamada Koun Roshi, Kamakura, Japan) and lives at Bodhi Zendo in Tamil Nadu, South India. He teaches part of the year in India. The rest of the year he teaches abroad, mainly in Europe.
All projects are co-ordinated and guided by the residents of Bodhi Zendo.
Bodhi Zendo is directly involved in UPPUPARAI project, PEARL Centre and individual help initiatives. On the other hand, INIGO Childern's Home and KARISAL are financially supported by Little Flower while it is run by Madurai Jesuits. POWER HEALEE is run by St. Charles Convent sisters.
All helpers from India and abroad who are involved in co-ordinating or collecting funds do their work un-paid and voluntarily.
Each contribution (finance, time and energy) is most welcome. Financial contributions go directly and fully to the projects.
Also, you ar welcome to sponsor the scholarship for one or more child(ren). The fund required for one child is US $ 160 a year. |