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
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
- Festival celebrations to foster inclusion and joy
- Life skills workshops for confidence, emotional growth, and decision-making
- Legal awareness sessions on child rights and protection laws
- Digital skill training: Python programming workshops conducted in Kottayam and 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
| Activity | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | 05 |
| Awareness workshops & skill development sessions | 56 |
| Distribution of academic materials & essential supplies | 146 |
| Festival celebrations | 85 |
| Education related initiatives | 20 |
Objectives
- To prevent school and college dropouts caused by financial constraints.
- To reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families through direct assistance.
- To support the holistic development — academic, emotional, and social — of every child.
- To provide mentorship and guidance that enhances learning outcomes and life skills.
Program Reach and Impact (2024–2025)
- Total Beneficiaries Reached: 728 children and families
- Geographic Reach: Rural and urban communities across multiple Indian states, with concentrated impact in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura, and West Bengal.
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Support Provided:
- School and 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 designed to support students throughout their educational journey.
- Regular check-ins with students and their families
- Feedback collection from teachers and academic counselors
- Guidance sessions focused on personal growth, resilience, and goal setting
- Referral support for psychosocial or health-related challenges
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 students to travel long distances for access to basic schooling.
The GEL program follows the Cambridge English Unlimited curriculum across six internationally recognized levels — A1, A2, B1, B1+, B2, and C1. The program focuses on developing all four essential language competencies:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
The first cohort, consisting of 14 students aged 15–18, successfully completed a 120-hour A2 level course with remarkable progress. Many participants began with minimal English proficiency and are now confidently communicating in English.
The GEL Centre, located at Vincentian House within the SD Convent premises, provides a safe, accessible, and inspiring learning environment. Sessions are conducted by trained facilitators and supported by local coordinators, with the help of basic digital learning infrastructure.
Beyond language learning, the program helps build confidence, aspirations, and future opportunities, opening pathways toward higher education and meaningful employment.
With the next level of the program set to begin soon, the journey toward empowerment through language continues for the children of Nachivayal.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL), Fr. Benny, the Vincentian Priests of the Marayoor community, the SD Sisters, and Mrs. Helan for their unwavering support in making this initiative possible.
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 tea plantations rather than attending school.
Children participating in the Sona Lipi learning initiative in Chowdarigach.
Many adults in the community still rely on thumb impressions instead of signatures—a visible sign of educational exclusion. Through community engagement and supportive learning environments, the program seeks to break this cycle.
Program Goals
- Raise awareness about education, child labor prevention, and hygiene.
- Establish village learning centers for academic support and life skill development.
- Train local educators in child-friendly teaching methods.
- Mobilize families to re-enroll school dropouts and ensure regular school attendance.
What Happens on the Ground
Every evening, 40–50 children gather at learning centers—not only to study, but also to rediscover joy, dignity, and hope. With trained teachers, engaging learning methods, and supportive communities, Sona Lipi is transforming survival into success.
Impact Forecast (2 Years)
- 200+ children directly supported
- 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 sincerely appreciate the Vincentian Community, Chopra for their dedication and relentless efforts in making this initiative possible.
Skill Development Programs
Building Skills, Creating Futures
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 are now employed in the healthcare sector, serving 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 the districts of Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Enhancing digital literacy
- Encouraging career exploration in technology
- Certificates awarded upon completion, boosting confidence and future opportunities
Life Skills Training
We recognize that emotional resilience is as crucial as technical knowledge. Our life skills programs help individuals develop confidence, communication abilities, and strategies to overcome life challenges.
- Life skills sessions conducted for:
- Children from coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram
- Disaster-affected communities of Chooramalmala, Wayanad
- Children living with HIV/AIDS in Thiruvananthapuram district
- Focus on self-confidence, communication, and coping strategies
Rise Up – Mentoring Young Social Workers
A pioneering initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world field practice for aspiring social workers.
- 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
Our Skill Development Programs foster individual transformation and community change. From coastal youth to HIV-affected children and aspiring social workers, each initiative contributes to building a generation that is skilled, resilient, and ready to lead.
Total Impact: 54 individuals empowered
De Paul Boarding
Nurturing Lives in Rural Tamil Nadu
Who We Serve
- 140 children, aged 6–15 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
Key Services
- Safe and supportive accommodation
- Access to quality education
- Nutritious meals and healthcare
- Emotional and moral support
- Life skill development to help children grow into 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.