Here at Mary's we are presently faced with two types of projects: Immediate and Long-Term.
Immediate Projects
Toilet Facility Construction: Beneath is pictured the current state of our facilities. Needless to say, they are not up to standard and have been under the watch of the sanitary inspector for some time now. Furthermore, at the very least, our students deserve to study in clean and healthy conditions. Moving forward, our plan is to construct a new block of toilettes in the empty lot directly facing our current ones (picture below, at right). These new facilities will accommodate both boys and girls of the primary and higher secondary buildings.
At this point in time, the blue prints have been drawn and the cost of the project has been estimated at approximately 13,60,000.00 rupees (approx. 23,000 US dollars at present exchange rates) to cover both the construction of the block and also the installation of the septic tank.
At this point in time, the blue prints have been drawn and the cost of the project has been estimated at approximately 13,60,000.00 rupees (approx. 23,000 US dollars at present exchange rates) to cover both the construction of the block and also the installation of the septic tank.
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Furniture: The classrooms at Mary's are furnished simply with wooden benches and tables, as is pictured below. In good condition these furnishings serve their purpose, but many have fallen into disrepair from daily use and the wear-and-tear of children. Aside from this, we also do not have enough bench-and-table sets to comfortably accommodate our nearly 900 students.
Our local carpenter has set the price of one bench-and-table pair at 4,500 rupees (approx. 75 US dollars).
Long-term projects
Construction of a New Campus: Our campus consists of two buildings: one for primary students and one for high school and higher secondary students. These two buildings lie directly across from one another, with a road running between. Due to the strict government regulation of schools (even those which it does not support), we have been notified that our campus must be consolidated into one building, so that the children do not run the risk of walking through traffic. Unfortunately, neither of our buildings is large enough to be able to accommodate the entirety of our student body and limited land means that there is nowhere else for us to build.
Thus, we have begun planning for an entirely new campus to be built, just five minutes from our current position. The area we are considering would give us ample room to develop our school and reach out further to educate a greater portion of our community. Aside from the primary and secondary schools, this campus will also contain a community hall to hold ceremonies, meetings and extracurricular classes. The rooms of this hall will be available for rent, thereby generating a small income that can go back into the daily maintenance of the campus. Farther into the future, we also plan to reopen our tailoring school for the women of the community, so that they may learn a skill that can generate a small income and sense of independence. Our future ambitions also include opening Tindivanam's first school for the mentally and physically disabled, who presently are barred from traditional education.
Estimates have not yet been drawn up for this project.
Obviously, this long-term project is of a much larger scope and will require funding far beyond our means. And while we can plan for the future, we must also maintain our present site. And, so, we need your help!
Do you know of any organizations willing to fund projects in education and community development?
Are the local institutions in your community looking for a volunteer project for the season?
Even if it is just a small personal donation, every cent counts, and its impact is felt by our students.
Please consider donating to our school by visiting our "Donate" page, and feel free to contact us with further questions and ideas!
Thus, we have begun planning for an entirely new campus to be built, just five minutes from our current position. The area we are considering would give us ample room to develop our school and reach out further to educate a greater portion of our community. Aside from the primary and secondary schools, this campus will also contain a community hall to hold ceremonies, meetings and extracurricular classes. The rooms of this hall will be available for rent, thereby generating a small income that can go back into the daily maintenance of the campus. Farther into the future, we also plan to reopen our tailoring school for the women of the community, so that they may learn a skill that can generate a small income and sense of independence. Our future ambitions also include opening Tindivanam's first school for the mentally and physically disabled, who presently are barred from traditional education.
Estimates have not yet been drawn up for this project.
Obviously, this long-term project is of a much larger scope and will require funding far beyond our means. And while we can plan for the future, we must also maintain our present site. And, so, we need your help!
Do you know of any organizations willing to fund projects in education and community development?
Are the local institutions in your community looking for a volunteer project for the season?
Even if it is just a small personal donation, every cent counts, and its impact is felt by our students.
Please consider donating to our school by visiting our "Donate" page, and feel free to contact us with further questions and ideas!
