The Youth Wing of the Ashram organized the following activities during the year 2005-06:
Topics CoveredYouth and Hunger Project, Bala Shanti Fund for Child Development, Neengalum Udavalam, Vocational Training, Internship Program, Coimbatore Peace Festival, Special Event
Youth and Hunger Project:
The program on Youth and Hunger aims to add the three aspects of food security, namely food production, food distribution and food absorption. This program addressees the hunger problem, particularly in rural areas, by empowering the affected youths with the opportunity for creative expression and sharing of experiences. A total of 100 youths from Madukkarai, Sugunapuram, Arivoli Nagar and K.V. Palayam were identified. Their family income ranged between Rs. 700 to 1500 per month. Four Workshops were organized to share the experiences of the youth affected by hunger. In the workshop on leadership development to find solution for the hunger problem, Dr. Palanidurai from Gandhigram Rural University was the Chief Guest. 44 children among the 100 were provided with educational assistance to continue the study. The Ashram helped one youth to find employment in a bank.
Bala Shanti Fund for Child Development.
The main aim of this program is to enable the under-privileged rural children to continue their education. Under this program the children were given financial assistance by way of books and note books, school uniforms and tuition fee. During the year under report, the Youth Section visited 313 children from 234 families in 18 villages and assessed their needs. Finally 118 children were provided financial assistance. Of this 90 per cent were rural children.
Neengalum Udavalam:
The main aim of this program is to engage young people in community welfare activities. During this year 147 volunteers were involved in the distribution of greeting cards among colleges, schools and business houses. 13 varieties of cards numbering 36,000 were printed during this year. Proceeds from the sales of these cards were used for providing financial assistance to the children from lesser privileged communities to continue their education. 10 artists participated in the whole program.
Vocational Training:
To equip the rural women with skill, to enable them to have self-employment, the Vocational Training program is organized. In collaboration with VLB Janaki Ammal Polytechnic College, skill training is provided in tailoring, beautician and computer courses. The course is for duration of six months. During the year under report, 42 rural women were trained and the training of second batch of 35 rural women is in progress. The trainees were also engaged in activities like self-development, Perur Temple Cleaning, Paper Bag making etc.
Internship Program:
Shanti Ashram receives student interns on a regular basis from national and international organizations. During 2005-06, the Ashram received 104 student interns from 23 institutions. They stayed for a period ranging from one week to six months and studied the working of Shanti Ashram. They were also involved in carrying out small projects in areas of their interest.
Coimbatore Peace Festival.
The 60th Anniversary of the dropping of the first atom bomb was organized on 6th August 2005 at Nani Palkiwala Auditorium, Mani Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore. Nearly 700 children and youth from different schools and colleges in and around Coimbatore participated in the program. The program commenced with an interfaith prayer, followed by a short film, A Mother’s Prayer. Mr. Ashok Aram was the Chief Guest and he stressed the need for the youth to capitalize the opportunities available in India for growth. The program came to an end with the cultural program performance by the students of schools and colleges in Coimbatore. The highlight of the program was the participation of 30 children from Tsunami affected area of Cuddalore district.
Special Event:
Sangamam: Under the District Level Communication Campaign of APAC, Shanti Ashram, organized a program Sangamam on 12th November 2005. Religious leaders and members of religious organizations from the major six religions in Coimbatore participated in the Faith Leadership of Coimbatore, working for HIV/AIDS.
Run for Unity: To promote peace and to emphasize the importance of Youth Leadership and Cooperation, a Run for Unity was organized on 5th October 2005. Nearly 500 children cris-crossed the villages of Perur, as Ambassadors of Peace. At the end of the Rally, the meeting was addressed by Mr. Augustine Veliath from UNICEF, Delhi and Ms. Anna Maria from Focolare Movement, Mumbai, and Mrs. Minoti Aram, President, Shanti Ashram.
Thesathukku Thol Kodu: Under this program cultural events were organized at GVG College of Arts, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, VLB Engineering College and PSGR Krishnammal College for Women. Literacy programs were organized at Ramachettipalayam.
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