Before Sharana’s intervention, the main issue faced in Angalakuppam was the unstable and unsafe environment in which the children grew up. Many mothers used to work as labourers in agricultural fields or construction sites and received a meagre, seasonal and unstable income; a high percentage of fathers were alcoholics, involved in gambling; and older siblings were usually forced to drop out of school to take care of the younger children.
The crèche was built in 2002 with the aim of supporting the families of the villages providing:
• A safe, clean, and nurturing environment and pre-school education to young children
• A support for working parents (mothers), enabling them to work, become self-reliant, and contribute to their family’s income
• A chance for older siblings to attend school and complete their studies
Every year about 20-30 children attend the crèche and receive:
• Daily informal education
• Learning and development training to prepare the children (emotionally, physically, mentally, socially) to go to a regular primary school
• Daily meals (health-mix nutritional shake in the morning, a whole-some lunch, a snack before going home at 3pm)
• Adequate rest
• Education and health monitoring (monthly parents meeting and dispensary access)
