Low Cost Shelters to the Blind Community in Tamil Nadu India.

 

 

The Rotary Foundation recently approved a major global grant valued at $US 120,000 to provide low cost homes to visually impaired families in India.  The project is led by the Madurai Star Club in District 3000 as the host club which has provided a large portion of the funds. The Hills-Kellyville Club serves as the International sponsor club, with some additional financial support from members of the E-Club of Greater Sydney. 

There are more than 100 families having their bread winners as visually challenged, having very low income, living in temporary shelters surrounded by unhealthy conditions. Tamil Nadu State Government allotted plots to each of these families based on their lower income & humanitarian background. However, government is not giving any monetary support to construct shelters or toilet facilities. Having the bread winner as visually challenged and having very low income, they are unable to construct their own shelter. So they are living in temporary tents. This project addresses the need of permanent shelters for these families.

 

Rotary Foundation Global Grants require cooperation between clubs in two different countries.  Clubs in our District are often approached to become the international sponsor for projects in other countries.  Our district has also received support from clubs in other countries to enable global grants for projects here in Australia.  The Hills-Kellyville club has been very successful with Global Grants, with about 10 grant projects currently under way.  Members of eight clubs in our District are providing financial support directly to global grants this year, and four clubs in the district have served as local or international sponsors of grants.