Supporting the oppressed through localised actions
The VidyaJey Foundation has been collaborating with International Needs Australia (INA), a DFAT accredited Australian NGO for international development, for the past four years (2019-2023) through a fruitful partnership aimed at empowering local communities and give voice to the most disadvantaged and oppressed.
The VidyaJey Foundation has impacted the lives of some of the most marginalised individuals and communities of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, through the works of two locally registered charitable trusts, Krupa and DAIA, which have been strengthened through a partnership with INA. INA chooses to work through and support local in-country community-based organisations rather than develop its own local capacity because they believe that this is respectful, sustainable, effective, and efficient; working with the community, for the community.
The projects
The Rural Uplift Programs and Awareness (RUPA) Project implemented by DAIA, aims to address poverty and health issues within rural communities. From 2020 to 2024, Project RUPA focused its work in four villages of S. Puthur, Pudupatcheri, Jumbulingapuram and Veerapandiyapuram, located south of Tamil Nadu. It aims to increase the income and living standards of the approximately 1,240 people within these villages. Specifically, it aims to achieve this by addressing the roots of poverty and health issues within the village, delivering the population financial capacity classes, business start-up opportunities, education on sanitation and much more.
The Empowering Prison Inmates and Families (EPIF) Project implemented by Krupa, aims to assist inmates in their overall mental and physical well-being across several prisons in the state of Tamil Nadu. This support also extends to an inmate's family, helping them to maintain a support network and financial capability, and ensuring that the inmate's children are receiving education. In many cases, Project EPIF also helps to foster the relationship between an inmate and their family and even aims to reunite them in the case of severed relationships.
The significant impacts that the Ministry of Krupa and DAIA have on their project beneficiaries are the testimonies of success of both the organisations. Their work is highly transformative, and provides beneficiaries with the means of their self-sustainability and prosperity.
Success Stories
Miss Ammu, the wife of a prisoner, has been supported by Project EPIF. She now rents her shop to sell her products, a remarkable contrast to her beginning with just a 2 wheel trolley to sell her goods.
Miss Lakshmi, who lost the use of both her legs, was the first woman to receive a sewing machine. With this kit, it takes her just three hours to complete what would have taken most or all of the day.
