We believe:
DE CARE JOINS HANDS WITH THE WORLD IN ITS MARCH TOWARDS QUALITY EDUCATION.
Education is the key that will allow many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved. When people are able to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty. Education helps to reduce inequalities and to reach gender equality. It empowers people everywhere to live more healthy and sustainable lives. Education is also crucial to fostering tolerance between people and contributes to more peaceful societies.
Project Overview
De Scholars
De Scholars is an ongoing scholarship initiative by Vincentian Social Services, launched during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the widespread educational disruptions and family tragedies that impacted thousands of children across India. This program was born out of a vision to ensure continuity of education for children and youth from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds—especially those who had lost one or both parents during the pandemic.
Focus Groups:
• Children orphaned during the pandemic • Economically disadvantaged families • Children from fragmented or single-parent homes • Marginalized communities • Children affected by HIV/AIDS
Together for a Brighter Future
Koottu
Koottu, meaning "together" in Malayalam, is a collaborative initiative of Vincentian Social Services, the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS), and district-level networks of people affected or infected with HIV. The program supports children living with or affected by HIV, aiming to break the barriers of poverty, stigma, and social exclusion.
Program Objectives:
• Ensure access to education and essential supplies for children impacted by HIV • Address psychosocial challenges through targeted interventions • Empower adolescents with life skills, legal awareness, and digital literacy
Key Interventions:
- Educational Scholarships and academic material support
- Celebration of festivals to foster inclusion and joy
- Life skills workshops for confidence, emotional growth & decision-making
- Legal awareness sessions on child rights and protection laws
- Digital skill training: Python Programming workshops in Kottayam & Thiruvananthapuram
- Public awareness surveys to inform future HIV-related advocacy
Geographic Reach:
Children and adolescents from Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Palakkad participated in the various activities spearheaded by Vincentian Social Services.
Impact Summary:
Koottu goes beyond charity—it nurtures a generation of resilient and capable children, equipped to rise above adversity. By integrating education, mental well-being, legal literacy, and digital empowerment, Koottu builds hope, dignity, and equity for some of the most vulnerable children in Kerala.
Project Details:
· Scholarships · Awareness workshops & skill development sessions · Distribution of academic materials & other essential supplies · Festival celebrations · Education related initiatives · Medical & financial support | 05 56 146 85 20 |
Objectives
- To prevent school and college dropouts due to financial constraints
- To reduce the burden on vulnerable families through direct financial assistance
- To support the holistic development—academic, emotional, and social—of each child
- To offer mentorship and guidance that enhances learning outcomes and life skills
Program Reach and Impact (2024–2025)
- Total Beneficiaries Reached: 123 children and families
- Geographic Spread: Rural and urban pockets across multiple Indian states, with concentrated impact in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura and West Bengal
- Support Provided:
- School/college fees
- Uniforms, books, and learning materials
- Mentorship and academic guidance
- Psychosocial support through volunteers and educators
Mentorship Component
Beyond financial aid, De Scholars includes a structured mentorship program, offering:
- Regular check-ins with students and families
- Feedback collection from teachers and academic counselors
- Guidance sessions on personal growth, resilience, and goal-setting
- Referral support for psychosocial or health-related challenges
Scholarships/Education =123
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Global English Learning (GEL): A Pathway to Empowerment in Nachivayal
Vincentian Social Services, in collaboration with Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL), has launched the Global English Learning (GEL) program in Nachivayal, a remote tribal village in Marayoor, Kerala. This initiative addresses the deep educational disparities faced by children in this region, where poor infrastructure, economic hardship, and social challenges often force children to travel long distances for basic schooling.
The GEL program follows the Cambridge English Unlimited course at 6 levels, from beginners to advanced. The GEL program provides structured English language education across six internationally recognized levels — A1, A2, B1, B1+, B2, and C1 — focusing on all four core competencies: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Our first cohort, comprising 14 children aged 15–18, completed the 120-hour A2 level course with remarkable progress. Many began the program with minimal English skills and are now confidently engaging in English communication. Their transformation is a testimony to the power of inclusive, community-based education.
The GEL Centre, located at Vincentian House within the SD Convent premises, offers a safe, accessible, and inspiring learning environment. Sessions are conducted by trained facilitators, supported by local coordinators, and powered by basic digital infrastructure.
This effort not only equips children with language skills but also builds confidence, aspirations, and future opportunities — from higher education to meaningful employment. With the next level set to begin soon, the journey toward empowerment through language continues.
We remain grateful to JWL, Fr. Benny, Vincentian Priests of Marayoor community, SD sisters and Mrs. Helan for their steadfast support in making this dream a reality.
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Sona Lipi
Writing a Brighter Future in Chowdarigach, West Bengal
In the tea-growing belt of Chowdarigach, West Bengal, where poverty, illiteracy, and child labor persist across generations, Vincentian Social Services launched Sona Lipi (Golden Letters)—a community-based education initiative for children aged 6 to 15 years.
Despite the Right to Education Act, dropout rates remain high in this region due to poor infrastructure, alcoholism, low adult literacy, and economic hardship. Many children end up working in plantations rather than attending school, while most adults still depend on thumb impressions—a visible sign of educational exclusion.
Program Goals
- Raise awareness on the importance of education, the dangers of childlabor, and hygiene
- Establish village learning centers for academic support and life skill development
- Train local educators in child-friendly, effective teaching methods
- Mobilize families to re-enroll dropouts and ensure consistent school attendance
What Happens on the Ground
Every evening, 40–50 children gather at learning centers—not only to study, but to rediscover joy, dignity, and hope. With trained teachers, engaging methods, and supportive communities, Sona Lipi is turning survival into success.
Impact Forecast (2 Years)
- 200+ children directlysupported
- 600 parents engaged and empowered
- 50 local teachers trained
- 300 community members mobilized
Sona Lipi is more than a program—it is a movement of transformation. By restoring the right to learn, the initiative helps children write their future in golden letters, and uplifts entire communities.
We appreciate the Vincentian Community, Chopra for their relentless efforts.
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Skill Development Programs
Building Skills, Creating Futures
At Vincentian Social Services, skill development is not just about employability—it’s about dignity, self-reliance, and transformation. Through targeted, inclusive, and values-based training, we empower vulnerable individuals with life-changing opportunities that foster both economic and social upliftment.
Patient Care Assistant Training
Empowering Coastal Youth – Poonthura, Thiruvananthapuram
In collaboration with KIMS Hospitals, a one-year certified Patient Care Assistant Course was launched for youth from coastal communities.
- 25+ youth enrolled
- ₹5,000 monthly stipend provided
- Many graduates now employed in the healthcare sector, contributing with compassion and competence
Python Programming for Children Living with HIV
In partnership with PhogerEdwhere Learning LLP, a free online Python course was offered to 23 young people living with HIV in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram districts:
- Enhancing digital literacy
- Encouraging career exploration in tech
- Certificates awarded upon completion, boosting self-worth and future opportunities
Life Skills Training
We recognize that emotional resilience is as crucial as technical knowledge.
- Life skills sessions conducted for:
- Children from coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram
- Disaster-affected communities of Chooramalmala, Wayanadu
- Children living with HIV/AIDS in the district of Thiruvananthapuram
- Focus on self-confidence, communication, and coping strategies
Rise Up – Mentoring Young Social Workers
A pioneering initiative to bridge the gap between classroom learning and field practice:
- WhatsApp-based learning community
- Expert-led webinars and one-on-one mentorship
- Training in fundraising, research, digital tools, and therapy models
- Emphasis on professional identity and real-world preparedness
Impact Statement:
Our Skill Development Programs foster individual transformation and community change. From coastal youth to HIV-affected children, and from aspiring professionals to young social workers—each initiative helps build a generation that is skilled, resilient, and ready to lead.
Total Impact: 54
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De Paul Boarding
Nurturing Lives in Rural Tamil Nadu
While Tamil Nadu is often viewed as a developed state by economic standards, the realities in rural villages like Adaikalapuram and Chengam tell a different story—marked by poverty, broken families, and limited educational access.
In response to these challenges, Vincentian priests have been serving these communities with deep commitment. As part of their mission, two boarding homes were established in 1968 (Adaikalapuram) and 1977 (Chengam) to provide care and education to children from marginalized backgrounds.
Who We Serve:
- 140 children, aged 6 to 15 years, currently reside in our boarding homes
- Most children come from poor, broken, or semi-orphaned families
- Many are the first generation in their families to receive formal education
Our Approach:
De Paul Boarding offers more than a place to stay—it provides a second home where children are nurtured with love, care, and values by our dedicated priests who act as their surrogate parents.
Key Services:
- Safe and supportive accommodation
- Access to quality education
- Nutritious meals and healthcare
- Emotional and moral support
- Life skill development to grow as responsible citizens
Impact:
- The boarding homes have become catalysts of cultural transformation in their regions
- They offer hope to struggling families who cannot afford school expenses
- De Paul Boarding helps break intergenerational cycles of poverty and illiteracy
Looking Ahead:
We remain committed to strengthening our services, enhancing educational outcomes, and expanding opportunities for every child in our care.