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Marialaya is an organization exclusively concentrating on
the rehabilitation of street and working girl children in the city of North
Chennai. It is totally a Non Governmental Organization run by the salesian
sisters of Don Bosco in the city of Chennai. The
the central Government of India,
Ministsry of social justice and empowerment
recognized our agency as one of the 6 agencies working with the
Street children in the city of Chennai.
Our Presence :
Street Presence :
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In these centers non-formal education is given to the children through a non
formal syllabus. They will put up in the main stream education later. This
is done through basic rapport building with the community, value based
education, skill training, motivation, recreation, periodical medical check
up and health care. Besides social mobilization through street plays,
rallies and awareness creation are also part of our program. We have 48
contact points in Chennai where we meet.
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Young girls of school going age are given Non-formal education every day.
We have regular-trained teachers who impart knowledge and educative values at these places.
These teachers or street educators are given trainings and orientation in child related issues. Every year girls are given non formal training and put in a regular school and followed up
with evening coaching class. This enables the children to continue to have liking for their studies.
According to the needs of the children we provide them with books. Uniform and stationery. If they
are anxious to get rid of their environment of a drunkard father or an immoral home, we put them in
children's Home and thus ensure their future and happier growth. Some girls aty with us always.
Shelter Presence :
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The open shelter home caters to needs of street girls of the near by areas
with a floating population of 50 -75, including the runaway and the
abandoned category. They are given protection from moral, physical and
social danger. The shelter home gives the homeless an experience of a home.
Moreover, it protects them from antisocial elements and activities.
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The girls of the locality who are born and brought up on the
streets and the girls who have run away from home for various reasons and
total destitutes
stay in the shelter home.
While the runaway girls are temporarily sheltered for counseling before
their resettlement to their families, the girls of the streets are offered
opportunities and facilities for growth and development. At a time 50 girls
in the age group of 6 to 20 stay in the shelter home out of which 40 are
school going and 10
are attending the vocational training
classes.
They are offered:--
 | Bathing and toilet facilities . |
| Supplementary nutrition. |
| Education formal/Non formal. |
| Health care. |
| Awareness creation. |
| Counseling and guidance. |
| Value orientation. |
| Job placement and follow up. |
| Recreation facilities. |
Special Care presence:
With the help of the Department of Social Defence Marialaya has now its special care home in its
own premises and taking care of 40 juvenile who are orphans and destitute girls. They enjoy the
cottage system where five mothers look after a batch of 10 children and see to all their needs
including education. We are intrested in brightening the lives of these children who have all
along experienced the feeling of rejection. Today we find remarkable change in the faces of these
children who feel that they are wanted and loved.
Vocational Training Center:
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Apart from the 4 regular tailoring centers four more training on trades like machine
embroidery, Handy craft making, Screen printing, Knitting, Computer, Rexene Bag making are opened
for them. Girls who are educated and uneducated are given training in trades suited to them and job
assurance is given to them. At present 30 work in the export companies, 35 in different companies
earning a decent salary.
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Run away presence:
It is not uncommon to find run-away girls coming to Chennai as their Hollywood city and
living in the streets or falling into the hands of undesirable elemants. Therefore we have arranged
for a special booth in the Central Station near the information board. Here our staff members who
have knowledge of many languages are all counselling and give proper guidance. Every month 15 such
girls come to us. The police also are aware of our humanitarian work and also deliver the girls to our
safe custody.We immediately make use of our preventive system of reason and loving kindness, to give
them good counsel and offer them hostel facilities. If they wish to return to their families, and
their parents are on the look out for them, we initiate a mutual meeting. If they wish to remain in
Chennai we find out suitable jobs and offer them hostel accomodation. It has never been known that
we have turned away run-away girls inspite of their inclination to tell lies, give contradictory
statements or cause unpleasent surprises through their behaviour.
Adolescence Presence:
These are regularly attended every month by about 150 young girls. The adolescent youth are very
keen in participating in these meets during which we touch on civil rights, needs for education, sexuality,
career guidance. We also offer them chances to attend camps and go out for excursions. When they are
in need of jobs we help them to discern their talents and take up suitable careers. We also follow them
at their work spot and see that they receive just wages and are not molested but work in a healthy environment
conducive to good living.
Self Help Group Presence :
For women who live on the pavements 48 contact centres are formed as Sangams. Since mothers are
largely responsible for the future of society, special emphasis is laid in conducting awareness programmes
for them. The subject dealt with are social, political, moral values, saving money, care of children,
appreciation of human life, care of the female child. It was linked up with Women Development Corporation
in 2000. About 180 self help groups have been formed.
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