In the slums of Mumbai and Delhi, where survival is challenging and education is crucial, there has been a significant need for the establishment of a study centre. Many students, especially from slum backgrounds, do not have proper infrastructure to study (Other than their school premises). Free study centres have been established at Dharavi and Airoli in Mumbai to provide solutions to this issue. The study centre was started after COVID-19, focusing on the students from the nearby locality. The children are taught moral values, ethics, and discipline, and encouraged and helped in higher education. The study centre provides help to underprivileged children, books, stationery, notebooks, bags, and clothes. Our staff members started tuition and English coaching for the underprivileged students, which continues to serve many underprivileged students.

1. Mumbai Project – Dharavi and Airoli Study Centre

The slum communities of Dharavi, Mumbai, face numerous challenges, and survival itself is a daily struggle. Although several initiatives are being taken by various organisations, the needs of the community continue to be immense. Recognising the importance of education for children in these vulnerable neighbourhoods, we started a Study Centre Project in the slum area of Dharavi. The Tuition Centre was launched on 15th August 2023. The centre provides academic support, safe learning space, and regular counselling for children. The Mumbai (Airoli) office has two project co-ordinators, who oversee the activities and support the Dharavi Study Centre. As a result of consistent mentoring and counselling, one girl from the community has been trained and appointed as a staff member at the tuition centre. She has come from an underprivileged background. She receives financial assistance to support both her studies and her family.

2. Delhi Project – URYM Study Centre

During regular counselling sessions, our student counsellor identified that some students were struggling with their studies and needed additional academic support. In response to this need, a tuition centre was established in November 2023 in Govindpuri, Delhi, to provide focused guidance and academic assistance. The children attending the centre come from a slum area. They cannot afford to pay fees for other tuition centres. The tuition center aims to help students improve their understanding of various subjects, enhance their academic performance, and build confidence in their studies.

As we have been doing for the past very many years, URYM took steps to pay a part of the college fees for economically backward students. We have systematically identified those in need of financial assistance and tried our best to fulfil them. This support aims to help them continue their education without interruption and to encourage young students from financially weaker backgrounds to pursue higher education and community involvement. We believe education as one of the most important basic needs of the students to excel in life. The Following students were benefitted through this support.

1. M. Dhanush is pursuing B.Com (General) at St. Peter’s Institute of Higher Education and Research. He comes from a financially challenged family, where his father is unable to work due to chronic health issues. His mother is the sole earning member, and Dhanush also works part-time in a production company after college to support his family. Considering his situation, URYM has been extending support to him in various ways, including assistance towards his academic fees. This support has helped him continue his education without interruption.
2. Sabareeshwaran is pursuing E.C.E at Peri Institute of Technology. He comes from a financially challenged background and used to assist his father in a small bakery. During his final year of high school, he lost his mother, who was his main source of encouragement. His father has been facing financial difficulties and is not able to provide adequate support. Due to these challenges, Sabareeshwaran began working part-time and continues to do so while pursuing his studies. URYM supported a portion of his school fees, enabling him to complete his higher secondary education. He was further encouraged to pursue college, and financial assistance is being extended towards his college fees.
3. Yonas is currently an A/C Mechanic course at TMG College of Arts and Science. He resides in Vallalar Nagar, Guduvanchery, an area where many young people are vulnerable to negative influences such as substance abuse and anti-social activities.Hecomes from an underprivileged background and lost both his parents at a very young age. Since then, he has been living with a guardian, with limited support for his education. Due to these challenges, he had to discontinue his studies for a few years. However, with determination and effort, he completed his 10th standard and has now enrolled in ITI studies. Considering his difficult background and his desire to continue education, URYM has planned to extend financial support towards his college studies.
4. Jecinth Angela Sherin is pursuing BCA at Jaya College of Arts and Science. She comes from a financially struggling family. She lost her mother in 2022, and her father is suffering from a serious medical condition, including a blood clot in the brain, which has resulted in swelling in his legs and paralysis of his left hand. Her elder brother is not contributing to the family, and currently there is no stable source of income. The family is facing difficulty in meeting even basic needs, including house rent. Considering her situation, URYM has planned to support her in various ways, and during this year, assistance has been provided towards her academic fees to help her continue her education.
5. Jessy Jerifa is pursuing B.Sc. Computer Science at Nazareth College of Arts & Science. Her family is facing a financial crisis and is burdened with debt. Due to these challenges, her parents are unable to support her education. Considering her situation, URYM has extended financial assistance towards her studies, enabling her to continue her education.

Today’s generation is much influenced by social media. Every student struggles with peer pressure. We conducted meetings to educate and equip the students to fight against the unrealistic expectations and live a peaceful, holistic life. Many students joined these programs. It has helped them to choose their careers and pursue it with confidence. Many students who were school and college dropouts were motivated to pursue their education and get a job. We help those who are undergoing such training and attain some useful skills to get career opportunities.

DE-ADDICTION AND COUNSELLING CAMP IN MUMBAI

The participants were from the slums of Mumbai and other places. Many students who were gangsters and addicted to drugs and alcohol have been counselled. Many students, who were contemplating suicide due to the peer pressure of society, the influence of social media, and relationship problems, have been counselled. Many of them have come out of depression and continued to pursue their career. We provided food, accommodation, bags, and necessary accessories.

GIRLS LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATIONAL TRAINING

A Youth Skill Development Program is conducted to equip young girls with essential skills for their personal and professional growth. The program focused on enhancing communication skills, developing leadership qualities, and providing career guidance. Girls from underprivileged backgrounds actively participated in the program and were encouraged to build confidence, strengthen their abilities, and explore better employment opportunities. The sessions also aimed to guide them in making positive life choices and avoiding negative influences.

COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTRE PROJECT

The construction work of the Training Centre / Community Centre is currently in progress. The centre is being developed to conduct de-addiction camps and skill development programs for young people in the community. In addition, a bore well has been installed, and the water facility is benefiting the local community by meeting their basic water needs. The community centre construction work is in progress for the de-addiction camps and skill development of the young people. The bore well water is useful for the community.

CULTRALS AND FOOD FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS

Every year, we conduct a cultural and awareness programme throughout December in schools, colleges, and different areas. We have provided food and counselling to the college students. We have reached them with the guidelines to build their future. The students get connected and share invaluable ideas they have learnt during those programs. Especially the students whose lives have been impacted by the talks, wants to share the goodness of life with others. We teach them to help anyone in need and emphasize on the community growth while upholding strong cultural values and ethics.

CHILD EDUCATION SUPPORT

Under this project, financial support was given to help staff members take care of their children’s education and basic healthcare needs. The assistance covered school fees, study materials, and essential medical expenses. This support helped ensure that the children could continue their studies without interruption and receive necessary medical care. Around nine children have benefited from this initiative. All expenses were used only for the approved purpose, and proper records have been maintained as per FCRA guidelines.

MARRIAGE HELP FUND

A student from St. Thomas College attended our De-addiction and Counselling Camp during her studies. After completing her graduation, she joined URYM as a staff member and worked as an accountant. As her family was not able to meet the marriage expenses, URYM provided financial support for her wedding. She got married on 15th December 2021.

MEDICAL EXPENSES ASSISTANCE

We encountered a situation where a child urgently needed an open-heart surgery. A child, Samuel Felix, 3.5 years old, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (a hole in the heart). Although initially expected to heal with age, the condition persisted. According to the doctor, the surgery was essential and had to be performed as soon as possible to prevent further complications or a risk to the child’s life. The family was financially underprivileged and unable to arrange the necessary funds on such short notice. Without immediate financial assistance, the surgery would have been delayed, putting the child’s life in danger. Fortunately, we were able to provide the financial help needed for the child’s operation.

STAFF EDUCATION SUPPORT

During the past five years, around eight staff members have been financially supported to pursue further education and training. This assistance was provided to help them gain additional knowledge, skills, and professional development. The purpose of this support is to equip staff members to serve more effectively in their respective roles and responsibilities. The staff showed great enthusiasm in learning new methods, and they have felt empowered by these skill development programs.

TRAINING EQUIPMENT PURCHASE

To effectively conduct de-addiction and suicide awareness camps, essential equipment such as a sound system and a projector was purchased. These resources enable us to organize and deliver the programs in a more impactful and structured manner, ensuring better engagement and outreach during the sessions.

NEW BORN CHILD WELFARE

The Child Welfare initiative offers vital support to families experiencing financial difficulties, particularly during the significant moment of welcoming a new child. This initiative recognizes that the birth of a baby comes with new responsibilities and expenses. By providing assistance to cover essential initial needs, such as basic care for new-borns, we help alleviate the financial strain on parents. Recently, financial aid was granted for the initial costs associated with two children, making a meaningful difference for these families. This support not only ensures the well-being of the new-borns but also allows parents to focus on providing the love and care their children deserve.

We visited two villages in Sathavedu, Tiruvallur district, and identified several underprivileged families. Many elderly people and widows were facing difficulties in meeting their daily needs. We provided support in the form of bed sheets, groceries, and basic household items to the elderly and widows. Sports materials were also given to children to encourage their physical activity. This support helped meet the basic needs of the families.