2. indigo foundation has two projects in Tamil Nadu currently committed to. Both projects share a similar aim, the education of Dalits and Adivasi (formally known as Untouchables and Tribals) Two communities outside the Scheduled Caste system. Also shared is the methodology of improving school retention and gradually empowering these marginalised communities by giving them employment options.

3. Dalits and Adivasi in Modern India Approx 200M in total 1.2B population Likely to be living in a slum, 1 or 2 room dwelling Parents with little or no education Segregated at school (lessons, play and meals) Highly likely to have dropped out of school by Year 8, severely limiting employment options Unskilled Manual Labour: Factory worker Rubbish removal Manual scavenging

4. Projects: PEAB Madhurantakum (Programme for Education and Awareness Building) Rural area 100km from Chennai. Mahalir Sakthi, Madurai (Tamil phrase for “Women's Power”) Operates in 10 slum areas of Madurai, Tamil Nadu’s second largest city.

5. PEAB Madhurantakum Commenced 2006, indigo supported since 2006. Supported by RCR in 2011/12 and 2013/14. (Total A$17K) Runs Village Education Centres (VECs) providing after school coaching up to Year 9. Typically 2 ½ hours per session for up to 40 children. 7 VECs operating in different villages coaching approx 200 students. Operates two coaching centres for approx 50 Y10 students. Offers student guidance for Y11 and 12. Tutors from within community, high motivation and community support.

6. PEAB VEC Class

7. PEAB Y10 Exam Coaching

8. Mahalir Sakthi Commenced 2006, indigo foundation supported since 2012 Operates an annual camp programme for 250 students to encourage continued education Operates a tailoring centre, teaching skills to give more employment options. Approx 140 women passed through centre since 2006. Provides vocational training for youths who have abandoned schooling.

9. Mahalir Sakthi Provide monthly health lectures to increase health awareness An intermediary role between domestic workers and their employers Advocacy service for slum dwellers Runs VECs in 10 Madurai slum areas, coaching total of 230 children from Y1 to Y12. (Funded by UK body to end 2014) Tutors and staff are from the communities they are serving

10. MS Dalit Drumming

11. MS Tailoring Class

12. Successes to date: Currently helping 480 students to improve their educational (and subsequent employment) options. School retention to Y10 has doubled in last 4 years (PEAB) Attendance at VECs is increasing (PEAB/MS) Average study year at VECs is increasing (MS) Five former PEAB students currently at University (one of them is a VEC tutor)

13. Funding the Programmes PEAB: indigo foundation commitment A$ 12K pa (VECs and Y10 classes) Mahalir Sakthi: indigo foundation commitment A$ 12K pa (approx 55% total operation cost of A$ 20K) $500 funds after school tuition classes for approx 200 children for a month on the PEAB project (ie $2.50 per child per month), $1000 would fund VECs and Y10 classes for a month.