Education
A fundamental human right
No child should be deprived of learning opportunities due to financial constraints
Scholarship program
At Smyrna, we are committed to suppor education as a fundamental human right and a catalyst for positive change. Through our scholarship programs, we strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to quality education at all levels, from primary to higher education. These scholarships cover tuition fees, school supplies, uniforms, ensuring that no child is deprived of learning opportunities due to financial constraints.
Sponsor projects
One of the main focuses of our work is supporting the education of disadvantaged children, by taking care of their expenses, right from primary to college level, and help in securing jobs and job-oriented training — all of which has been happening from 1985. Currently we support more than 500 children in the regions of Ooty and other regions of Nilgiris district.
The children we help are either orphans, children of single parents, children of deceased parents, tribal children or are from families that can no longer support them, due to severe financial and health difficulties. We do not focus on any one caste or religion or ethnic background, but help any child in need and provide them with what we can, thus ensuring them a bright future.
We provide uniforms, note books, shoes and pay their school fees. We also encourage them to attend a monthly “sponsor meet” with the staff of the Smyrna Sponsor Department, and also a resource person. We discuss their circumstances and provide counselling in academics and other personal areas of need. For some children, whose families are in dire situations we repair their houses, provide electricity, water and sanitation. We help them with accommodation in their school hostels and provide for their food and medical expenses.
We also provide Career guidance and character building classes with the help of various resource persons after they finish their studies. Our aim is to ensure that the children become independent and self-sufficient.
Vocational courses
The areas in and around the Nilgris district which we support, is home to many poor workers and farmers. Their children find it virtually impossible to enroll in any mainstream technical or computer courses due to financial and travel constraints. To help such children, Smyrna has started a venture to provide training in many disciplines. We have also partnered with many institutions to provide such training.
