The cries of Killankulam
About 40 kilometers South of Madurai in Tamil Nadu is the fairy village of Killankulam with a population of 700 people about 300 men, 250 women and 150 children, all living in utter poverty and in a most miserable condition. These people belong to a community called Moopanty, a sect in Indian society. They are generally tied down to their ancestral jobs of felling trees, digging wells and quarry work., While few women work as coolies in the agriculture sector. Some women and children are found gracing goats or cutting fire wood.
Few families depend on farming, that depend solely on rain which more often then not a total failure because of draught. With the grace of the universe, they had rain for the past 2 years, just enough rain to have one crop. This community due to lack of watering system have not been able to venture in year round farming. There are underground water veins in many of the properties in the area, but because the cost of irrigation system is very high, very few of the farmers can afford it. The irrigation system will only cost about US $ 3, 600, or about Rupees 1,62,000. Your US3,600 can help a few families survive very well. Two weeks ago we loaned a small farmer money to get his electricity supply and also buy a submersible boar. Before that he borrowed rupees 1,00,000 at a monthly interest of rupee 3000. This will indeed keep that family in hardship for a long time to come. Our loan was free from interest.
Despite all the hardship, its praise worthy that these people celebrate all their communal functions in a spirit of love and unity. Due to the lack of education they have no access to government or professional jobs. Many of the kids in this village are talented, but due to lack of finance they may stop studying after completing year ten, and end up working as labors at the age of 15. We at the moment housing and educating a few kids, and more is need to be done, and is only possible, with your help
There is a small primary school in the village with only one class room divided into 2 groups which accommodates 5 grades or standards, and managed by two teachers without any basic amenities, there seem to be no hope for this poor children, or the village to improve in the years to come unless we decide to help, that is YOU and US. All funds collected goes directly towards the needs of the villagers.
Meet the kids and they will tell you their story, or visit us and see what we are doing