: Eighty-seven children from poor families in the city are enjoying a three-day residential camp that offers courses in craft, handwriting, art and yoga.
Organised by the non-governmental organisation People’s Development Initiatives (PDI), the 10th edition of the annual camp was inaugurated on Thursday at the Periyar Maniammai Higher Secondary School for Girls in K.K. Nagar.
In addition to the summer courses, a separate orientation class for adolescent girls in menstrual hygiene will be conducted during the camp, which is scheduled to end on May 28.
“This camp is one way that children from low-income group families can enjoy their vacations in a productive manner,” I. Ambalavanan, chief functionary, PDI, said. “Encouraging children to cultivate hobbies has a positive effect on their lives,” he added.
The participants will be chaperoned by PDI members, and accommodated in segregated hostels on the school campus. The camp offers free meals and art materials for the duration.
R. Mangaleswaran, associate professor, Department of Social Work, Bharathidasan University asked the children to ensure that they practised the arts and crafts learned at the camp at home as well.
“Some of these handicrafts could also guide you to a career, so be attentive to your teachers,” he said.
District Social Welfare officer S. Usha advised the children to know their rights and help authorities to prevent crimes related to them.
The function also felicitated senior school students who had done well in the recent board examinations.
