What is a Crèche ?  

The Crèche:

A rural aid project that provides small village schools for children of the untouchable caste in the state of Tamil Nadu, located in the very southern tip of India.  Four crèches have been opened so far and more are in the planning stages.

A Workable Aprorach to Aid: Crèche

A crèche is a combination school, day-care and health center for children 3-5 years old. It provides basic shelter, food, education and spiritual nurturing. Children of all religions are accepted into our programs.
Children are fed 3 nutritious meals a day with an emphasis on protein to bring up body weight. Height and weight for each child are charted monthly to identify those who are not gaining weight for further medical care. All children are screened weekly by a full time nurse. Doctor visits and medicines are given free with our program, provided by FIMRC. (see Outreach Programs & photo)
Two uniforms, a sweater, a pair of shoes and a bookbag are given to each child annually. Climate in this hill station of Kodaikanal is cold and lack of proper clothing and blankets at home creates health risk of exposure.
Lessons are taught in Tamil, the local language, by Indian women who are trained in early childhood education. Counting, writing the Tamil alphabet, memorizing stories and traditional rhymes, dancing to popular music, drawing and playing games are the daily routine. Emphasis on good health practices such as washing hands, coughing on your sleeve, using the toilet, and brushing teeth are demonstrated for the children to learn.
Parent seminars are held monthly to provide education for adults on the subjects of health: pre and post natal care, childbirth, vaccinations, clean water, nutrition, AIDS, keeping your child in school and issues critical to the whole village.
The ripple of positive benfits spreads to the whole community. Older siblings, who are often kept at home to care for younger ones, are able to return to school. Parents are able to work the fields, stone quarries or forrests as laborers and know that their children are cared for while they are away at work. A new creche brings hope of a better life.