Author: Janice Vard Smith

Our Convention for approximately five thousand Nandri Mothers will take place on 25th January. The theme of this years event is “No Water No World”. Nandri is working to build awareness of climate change amongst our mothers and are implementing environmentally friendly projects in our groups, such as planting trees.

The Nandri Convention is a wonderful opportunity for our mothers to get together and share experiences, network and receive awards for their achievements in the past year.

On Children’s Day we started a special project called Green Lake Movement. Each Nandri child planted two trees on the banks of the lake at Indiravanam village. These trees will be nurtured by the children under our guidance. Children who are part of this movement will be given educational support and motivational training and learn the importance of looking after our environment for future generations. They will become leaders of our new initiative to make our lakes more green.

In October, Nandri distributed ₹270000 to nine impoverished mothers living in a Sri Lankan refugee camp at Abdullapuram, Vellore.

These loans will help the mothers to start a small business and generate income so they can keep their children in education.  Nandri has transformed the future for these deserving families.

Month of June was a special month in the history of Nandri. The presence and various activities done by the UCDVO from Ireland was the highlight of the month. Through the media, Nandri’s name has become more popular and lots of appreciation from the well wishers really makes Nandri to feel proud of its activities. It is a boost for Nandri to continue its selfless services to the community.

1. Cultural Exchange Visit by UCDVO students from Ireland
   The long waited dream of visiting the students from Ireland has come true on 8th June. The one month cultural exchange visit of UCDVO students along with Nandri Nimh (Person responsible for Social media) from June 8th to July 6th was a memorable event In the life of Nandri. The students were warmly welcomed by the Nandri staff on 8th June in a traditional Indian way. This group of students were supported by some student volunteers from Tiruvannamalai district who were supported by Nandri in perusing their higher studies.
   The following four major activities carried out by the UCDVO students.
   a) Renovation of Government Primary School at Indiravanam village
   b) Starting of Home Work Clubs in the villages
   c) Strengthening of Nandri’s Mothers Groups
   d) Exposure to organic garden.

1. TThe second phase of training to the leaders of the mothers’ groups was conducted at Kasthampadi village on 14th September. Twenty mothers from14 groups attended the training. The purpose of the training was to motivate the members to follow the system and the procedures evolved by Nandri for its effective functioning. The training was facilitated by Joe and Jerald. The training was mainly focusing on maintaining the account notebook and the individual passbooks. All the formats applying for various financial assistance was clearly explained to them.  The members actively participated in the training and they clarified all their doubts in filling the formats. The Chairman urged all the members to create an enabling environment for the overall development of the children.

Mothers’ Training at Kasthampadi Village

Home work clubs were started by the UCDVO students during their stay last month. The interest shown by the UCDVO students was amazing and as result, we could see that the home work clubs are still very much active. Sr. Deepika was appointed as a Coordinator for these Home Work Clubs and she is visiting the centres along with   Mr. Jerald and encouraging the children. We can see that the children are repeating the songs and the games taught by the UCDVO students.