Dalit Girls Hostel, Tirunelveli, India

Help us build a hostel for dalit girls in rural Tamil Nadu so they can go to school and succeed in their education!

We have the chance to convert a building right next to the BCV International School, which already offers free, high quality education to dalit children. The hostel is vital for the girls, so they can stay at school during the week, get good food, help with their homework, and freedom from working in the fields or in the home each night. It will also end long travel times to and from school each day. Many of the poorest girls live in rural villages far from school and their families do not let them travel alone or after dark on roads which could be dangerous. As a result, many girls end up dropping out of school. This hostel will make all the difference.

Dalit girls in India are born into poverty and will almost always live their whole lives in poverty and deprivation. Formerly called the untouchables, dalits are the lowest of the low in India’s rigid social system. And girls come off worst. Often considered a burden on the family, they are likely to be married off young, and suffer physical and sexual abuse. As adults they do the work higher castes despise – from toilet cleaning and disposing of dead animals, to grave digging and prostitution. They are discriminated against at every level, and often have low self esteem and few aspirations. But this state of affairs is not inevitable. Given a chance dalit girls can make a success of their lives. And education is the key!

We believe passionately that education for dalit girls can not only change their lives, but will help change the communities they live in. Our partner to build the Dalit Girls Hostel, `Friends of India`, has an 18 year track record of helping the poor and marginalized in Tamil Nadu, so you know any money you give will be well spent. Help us create the Dalit Girls Hostel in Tirunelveli. We already have a building, but it needs converting into a place where the girls can stay during the week, with dormitories, a kitchen, dining and study areas. We'll keep you updated with photos and progress reports.

Help us bring about equality and opportunity for dalit girls in Tamil Nadu.