For a group of college students from the district, the task seemed a bit audacious. However, it was supreme confidence that reflected on their faces when they announced that they were on a mission to improve the educational and living standards of 1,000 families in the Mukhadar-Nainamvalappu-Kothi region in the coastal belt of the city. Interestingly, the dedicated volunteers of YES (Young Ebullient Students) India have around 11 years experience in handling similar situations.
YES India, a students-for-students initiative, which is part of the second phase of the ‘Akshara Samudram’ project, has adopted around 1,000 households. The project was inaugurated by Mayor Thottathil Raveendran on Saturday in the presence of Deputy Mayor Meera Darshak. It is primarily aimed at students of Classes 6 to 12. “A special focus group will be formed for students of Standards 10 and 12 to prepare them for the final exams and to guide them into their preferred careers,” said Akshay Kumar O., general secretary of the NGO.
Resource persons
YES India volunteers will also serve as resource persons for the project and devote time to the educational and emotional development of underprivileged children. They will also focus on health care. “A health survey has shown that most women here are anaemic, and that children have malnutrition issues. Also, they are living in unhygienic conditions,” Mr. Kumar said.
The volunteers will organise skill development sessions for women and unemployed youths to help them gain employment. “They are not alien to hunger and poverty, especially during the trawling ban, as most of them are from fishing families. Unemployment has led them to anti-social activities too,” said Rajwa Kamal, director of the project.
