Visiting SCAD

One of the best ways of getting a real insight into life in Tamil Nadu and the work of SCAD, is to take part in a short-term volunteer project with AidCamps International.

In 2003 AidCamps International undertook its first ever project at the SCAD campus at Cherenmahadevi. A group of 20 volunteers had funded the building of a large extension to the school for physically handicapped children, and were then taken out to Cherenmahadevi to finish off the project. We painted the building inside and out and then covered the inside with a jungle mural, which the children and staff loved. The project was such a great success that AidCamps has been taking two groups of volunteers back each year to further develop the facilities at the campus and elsewhere.

In 2004 we actually replaced the school that we had extended the previous year! The original building had become so dilapidated that it leaked every time it rained. The new school provided a place for learning and a separate area for living and sleeping. We also provided a large toilet block. By this time, the mural had become ‘tradition’ with AidCamps projects in other countries, and so this new building at SCAD was decorated outside with more jungle animals and inside with images from countries around the world.

In 2005 and 2006 the AidCamps International volunteers stayed at the campus but travelled daily to the gypsy village at Pettai. Here we replaced the old, dark and overcrowded school building with a large, spacious and airy new building. We also developed a play area and provided a garden. Working at the gypsy village was certainly an eye-opening experience for the volunteers. The villagers are loud and boisterous – there was plenty of laughter, much drinking and constant arguments going on all day amongst the gypsys, and hundreds of children were milling around, most of whom were really keen to become students in their new school.

In 2007 we were back at the Cherenmahadevi campus providing a block of therapy rooms for the recently extended school, which now included pupils with learning difficulties. Again a garden and play area were provided for the children. It is wonderful rewarding work, which is enormously valued by the staff and children at SCAD.

Next year we will be taking two groups of volunteers out to the Tuticorin school at the KVK campus. This school has long been in need of upgrading as the accommodation for the children there is very cramped. We shall be providing a new accommodation block and upgrading the old classrooms. It is anticipated that this school will increase its numbers of residential pupils with learning difficulties and it will also become a resource centre for outreach workers who will be travelling around the local villages providing support for families with children with learning disabilities.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a volunteer with AidCamps International and taking part in this project in January/February 2008, please visit the website at www.aidcamps.org.

Individual Visits

Individual visits by Salt of the Earth supporters to SCAD are welcomed. SCAD is able to host visitors for up to a week, although arrangements would need to be made well in advance. Supporters who have sponsored a child may be able to meet that child, although it would not be possible to visit his/her village. SCAD is also able to accommodate small groups of up to 20 people, by prior arrangement. The staff are used to catering for Europeans and the accommodation is very comfortable. This offer of accommodation would not be possible, however, during the months of January and February.

Exceptionally, SCAD has vacancies for individual volunteers with particular skills and from time to time SCAD can accommodate teachers of English to work with the students on the campus at Cherenmahadevi. For the moment, however, this provision is not available, although the situation will continue to be reviewed.

All arrangements for visits to SCAD would need to be negotiated through Murray Frankland at Salt of the Earth. Further information is available through him.