News Stories

Shop to Support
December 5, 2008



Koliyankulam webmaster Frantisek Korbel came up with the idea of creating an online shop at CafePress to support and fund the HELP (Human Education and Liberation for the Poor) Evening School by the sale of promotional products. Designed and set up by him in November 2008, the shop stocks moderately-priced useful items with the Kidedu logo imprinted on them.

Currently the shop sells 43 different products; including shirts (long and short), kids clothing, hats and caps, bags, mugs, home and office products, and cards, prints and calendars, in the range of $3.09-41.99. For each $10 earned, 50 cents are contributed to charity. The customers are also listed on the kidedu webshop page webshop page.

The village plans to add new products to the shop according to interest and demand. Until then, enjoy your holiday shopping here!

Running for a Cause
November 30, 2008



In the month of October 2008, when fundraising attempts on GiveMeaning for the HELP (Human Education and Liberation for the Poor) Evening School at Koliyankulam (Tamil Nadu) did not succeed, and only 5% of the $2,308 fundraising goal had been raised in four months, Local Representative Jegan Tharmaraj decided to run the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009 - Asia's biggest charity event for NGOs - in order to mobilize resources for the project.

Jegan plans to run in the Half-Marathon scheduled for 18th January 2009 - a distance of 21.097 km - and is currently practicing intensely for the event. Having previously participated in local running events, he is quite confident of his success. He is supported by charity partner United Way of Mumbai and the State Bank of India in this cause.

Jegan’s initiative has managed to spread awareness and enthusiasm about the school, and has already raised more than $220. The pledges raised will be fixed-deposited in the name of the school and the interest used to meet its running expenses of the school.

Next, Koliyankulam plans to introduce skill training for its students in an effort to build their self-reliance, for which a village leader has already promised suitable accommodation. As an apt beginning, keyboard training has already been started in November 2008.

Make a difference with Jegan today!

Somdutta Sarkar 10:01, 6 December 2008 (UTC)