Penn Kalvi Vasippu Maiyam Initiative
The Penn Kalvi Vasippu Maiyam initiative was successfully launched with the generous support of the John Devaram Memorial Trust along with Society for Peoples’ Education & Economic Change (SPEECH) across 20 working villages. The basic concept was developed by the Tamilnadu Ariviyal Iyakkam (TNSF) with the aim of promoting literacy and lifelong learning among rural women. During the event, educational material was provided to the women participants to help encourage a love for reading. A literacy circle meeting was held where women actively participated in reading and discussion sessions. The importance of women's education and empowerment through literacy was highlighted. The program saw a strong turnout from the community and was a significant step towards enhancing women's literacy and empowerment in the region.
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SPEECH Founder Dr. John Devavaram’s memorial Day
The Eighth Anniversary Educational Support Program organized by SPEECH and John Devavaram Memorial Trust at the SPEECH Campus, Thiruchuli, was a tremendous success. The event brought together community members, special guests, and families to celebrate our founder's legacy and commitment to education. Inspiring speeches, thought-provoking discussions, and a touching tribute highlighted the gathering, emphasizing the importance of supporting students and fostering unity within our community. The event served as a powerful reminder of the impact of collective efforts in promoting education and creating a brighter future for the next generation. Moments like these inspire us to continue working together towards a common goal of empowering students and building a stronger society through education.
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JDM Trust Annual Educational Support Program
The distribution of educational support by John Devavaram Memorial Trust (JDMT) was a day filled with meaning and inspiration. The support reached out to four girls, this year, from marginalized communities fromSPEECH working villages, offering them a chance to pursue higher education and we also had the oppurtunities to hear testimonies in the form of success stories from previous beneficiaries. By empowering young girls and promoting education, the JDM trust is dedicated to transforming lives and creating brighter futures. Because the trust along with SPEECH believes that Education has the power to change lives.
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Grama Sabha (UP)
The Grama Sabha(UP) is a village-level general assembly consisting of all registered voters within a Gram Panchayat area. It serves as a democratic platform where villagers participate directly in decision-making related to local development, welfare schemes, and governance. Grama Sabha meetings are conducted to discuss village development plans, review government schemes, identify beneficiaries for welfare programs, and address community issues such as sanitation, education, health, infrastructure, and social welfare. It plays a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and community participation in rural governance. 🎯 Objectives of Grama Sabha Promote participatory democracy at village level Approve village development plans Select beneficiaries for government schemes Monitor implementation of welfare programs Discuss local issues and community needs
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Training of Trainers on Gender Based Violence
The training program for Field Coordinators on Gender-Based Violence aimed to enhance a Survivor (Those affected by GBV) Centered Support and Response System to advocate for the safety, rights, and empowerment of women and girls. Facilitated by Mrs. Lavanya and Mr. Johnson , the training underscored the significance of establishing trust, upholding confidentiality, showing empathy, and obtaining informed consent when handling cases. The approach known as LIVES—Listening, Inquiring, Validating, Enhancing Safety, and Supporting—was introduced as a fundamental framework for assisting survivors. The session also delved into proper case management procedures, the responsibilities of Violense Against Women (WAV) committees, strategies for coordination, and referral options like helplines, law enforcement, medical facilities, and child protection units. In essence, the program reiterated the crucial elements of providing a safe environment, unbiased support, proper documentation, teamwork, and consistent follow-up to ensure effective survivor-focused care.
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Children Interface Meeting
The Children Interface Meeting was organized to provide a safe and inclusive platform for children to directly interact with key stakeholders, including government officials, teachers, community leaders, and child protection representatives. The objective of the meeting was to encourage children to express their views, share concerns, and actively participate in discussions related to their safety, education, health, and overall well-being. During the session, children confidently presented issues affecting them in their communities, such as school facilities, child safety, prevention of child marriage, and access to essential services. Officials responded to their concerns, clarified procedures, and discussed practical solutions to address the identified challenges. The meeting strengthened child participation, promoted awareness of child rights, and reinforced the collective responsibility of the community in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for every child.
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Exposure Visit – Theni Arockiyagam
The exposure visit kicked off with Mr. Tamilarasan, the Project Manager of Arockiyagam, extending a warm welcome. Following that, Mr. Simon, the Project Director, provided an update on the progress of the second phase of the domestic violence project. He also outlined the team structure and the organizations they collaborate with, further he also elaborated on the key activities and roles of Violence Against Women (VAW) committees at the Block Level. Major initiatives include conducting awareness campaigns, liaising with government departments and offering support services to those affected by GBV. The team has also conducted a series of training sessions covering topics such as leadership, legal regulations (such as the Domestic Violence Act of 2005) and mental health counseling.
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GBV Project – Inception training
The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Project inception Program took place from the 2nd and the 3rd of December 2025 at Kushi Beach Resort in Ramanathapuram. The event was arranged by SPEECH in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation. The program put a spotlight on the initiative "Advocating specifically for GBV and Empowerment of Women and Girls from Dalit Communities in Thiruchuli Block." The primary goal of the training was to enhance the comprehension and framework surrounding GBV issues among on-ground personnel and stakeholders, shedding light on the obstacles faced by women and young girls from marginalized backgrounds. Through engaging conversations and educational sessions, participants delved into strategies to tackle violence, advance gender parity, and establish a compassionate and survivor-focused support system within the community.
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Child protection campaign
Child protection safeguarding children from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, child labour, trafficking, child marriage, neglect, and exploitation. It ensures that every child grows up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. 🎯 Objectives of a Child Protection Campaign ✅ Prevent child abuse and violence ✅ Stop child labour and trafficking ✅ Prevent child marriage ✅ Promote safe schools and communities ✅ Raise awareness about child rights ✅ Encourage reporting of abuse 📢 Activities in a Child Protection Campaign Awareness rallies and public meetings School programs and workshops Street plays (dramas) Distribution of pamphlets and posters Training for teachers and parents Social media awareness campaigns
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Tank Desilting Program
A Tank Desilting Program is a water conservation initiative aimed at removing accumulated silt from tanks and ponds to restore storage capacity and improve irrigation and groundwater recharge. 🎯 Purpose of Tank Desilting Program ✅ Increase water storage capacity ✅ Improve groundwater recharge ✅ Support irrigation for farmers ✅ Prevent flooding ✅ Improve drinking water availability ✅ Restore old water bodies
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Become a Volunteer
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