MASARD launch the Rural Development Centre

Following our fundraising appeal from last December, we can finally share with you the news that the Rural Development Centre (RDC) is up and running! On Sunday 26th August, our partners at MASARD held a grand function for the launch in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. 

The RDC will mean so much to so many people, around 10,000 people a year in fact. It will allow MASARD to improve the scale, reach and delivery of their projects. Everything will be under one roof and easily accessible. Now our partners have the space and facilities to efficiently offer the following:

• Safe and purified drinking water

• Adult literacy classes

• Skills training and jobs for unemployed youth

• General health camps

• Formation of Women’s Self Help Groups

• Training in clay jewellery, saree embroidery and sustainable livelihood

• Awareness programs and Workshops.

All of the children sponsored by Salt of the Earth supporters attended the event, as well as staff that deliver the projects. It was an opportunity for representatives of the Self Help Groups, local village leaders, school staff and other beneficiaries to experience the centre for the first time.

It was also a chance for people from different faiths and backgrounds to come together and celebrate, a demonstration that MASARD has an equal respect of all religions, despite being a religion-neutral organisation. After a series of prayers and readings, there was singing, followed by some typical Indian house warming traditions such as lighting of the lamp and breaking of the coconut. The celebration was concluded by performances by the children and a tasty vegetarian meal.