Aide et action

Institute for Livelihood Education and Development (iLEAD), Trivandrum, India

International development organisation Aide et Action runs educational programmes across 31 developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Its work helping underprivileged people improve their own lives makes it a perfect fit with TFWA Care’s stated objectives, and the cooperation at iLEAD in Trivandrum shows just how effective the approach can be.

The Project

In 2011 iLEAD trained 336 underprivileged youths aged between 18 and 25 for jobs in the automobile, tourism, IT and healthcare industries. iLEAD students include some of the poorest and most marginalised youths in Trivandrum, with 89% coming from families with a monthly income of less than Rs3,000 ($58).

The courses involve a combination of classroom-based teaching and on the job training, and are designed in consultation with local businesses to ensure maximum employment opportunities for participants. To date 93% of students have gained employment in their chosen fields after their course, bringing vital financial support to their families.

Aide et Action International’s Chennai Regional Manager said: “Many of the trainees are from marginalised communities who need to feed, clothe and educate their families. The skills acquired enable them meet these obligations and simultaneously empowers them to change their lives.”

Case Study

Nethu Udayan, from the village of Sangumugham, was unable to continue studying due to her family’s financial problems. Her father was the only earning member of the family, and with her mother unable to work through sickness, Nethu had sacrificed her education to stay at home to help her. ILEAD offered Nethu the chance to train for a role in the hospitality industry, and in her new job she is able to contribute even more to supporting her family.

She says: “Towards the end of the training period, I began to find a stronger, more independent me, one that I had never fully tapped into. I have learned to live fully on my own and I am currently working in Orchid Regency Hotel Trivandrum as an Assistant Guest Relations Manager. I consider myself lucky as I have been able to create a new life and be happy and feel joy once more.”

Photo credits: AEA