This project will support the Uplift Program, a community-led initiative working in urban slums in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, to create safe, practical pathways out of poverty for disadvantaged children and women. The project responds to entrenched barriers faced by Dalit and minority families, including poor access to education, unsafe and exploitative work, low health literacy ...
Indigo Foundation
Creating Pathways Out of Poverty for Children and Women in Tamil Nadu
GOAL
$15,000
International
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- International aid and development
Target Population
- Women and girls
Indigo Foundation
Indigo Foundation works with, and directly supports, local community organisations to create and sustain systematic improvements in education, health, wellbeing and empowerment of women and girls, to benefit both individuals within the community and the community as a whole. We aim to form deep and respectful relationships with our community partners and to build the power and reliance of local organisations. We currently work in the following countries: Afghanistan, Bougainville, Indonesia, India, Rwanda and Timor Leste.
Our Strategy 2023-27 seeks to position our focus primarily on the Asia Pacific in the coming years. Indigo Foundation works with, and directly supports, local community organisations to create and sustain systematic improvements in education, health, wellbeing and empowerment of women and girls, to benefit both individuals within the community and the community as a whole. We aim to form deep and respectful relationships with our community partners and to build the power and reliance of local organisations. We currently work in the following countries: Afghanistan, Bougainville, Indonesia, India, Rwanda and Timor Leste. Our Strategy 2023-27 seeks to position our focus primarily on the Asia Pacific in the coming years.
Indigo Foundation was established in 2000 by a small group of experienced development professionals who wanted to practice community development in a way that was community-led, grounded in long-term relationships with community partners and built the capacity of local grassroots organisations. Indigo Foundation started as a very modest organisation, volunteer-run and initially working with one partner. Over time, our portfolio of partners, our funding and our support base in Australia has grown. A number of the original founders remain involved as Partnership Coordinators and as members of Board Committees.
Our fundraising sources include donations from individuals, grants from foundations and proceeds from fundraising events and initiatives. Afghanistan is our largest program. Over the last 7 years indigo foundation has provided Afghanistan between $48-146,000 per annum.
Project Summary
This project will support the Uplift Program, a community-led initiative working in urban slums in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, to create safe, practical pathways out of poverty for disadvantaged children and women. The project responds to entrenched barriers faced by Dalit and minority families, including poor access to education, unsafe and exploitative work, low health literacy and limited social protection.
For children, the project will operate after-school tuition centres that provide academic support, digital literacy and personal development activities. These safe, local learning spaces help children stay engaged in school, improve learning outcomes and reduce the risk of early dropout, which is common in slum communities where children are exposed to hazardous labour and unstable schooling.
For women, the project will deliver vocational training in tailoring and jewellery-making, building practical skills that enable women to move beyond insecure and exploitative domestic work. Health information sessions and health camps with GP access will improve health knowledge and enable earlier help-seeking for women and their families.
A core component of the project is support for the Domestic Workers’ Union, strengthening women’s collective ability to advocate for safer working conditions, fair wages and basic rights. The project will also assist women to access government benefits and legal aid, improving household financial resilience.
The project is community-led and delivered largely by local volunteers and female facilitators, ensuring strong trust, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Together, these activities address the root causes of poverty by strengthening education, livelihoods and agency for women and children.
Project Outcomes
The project aims to improve education and livelihood outcomes for disadvantaged children and women living in urban slums in Madurai and Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu, breaking cycles of poverty and exploitation.
For children, the project seeks to increase regular school attendance, improve learning outcomes and reduce early dropout. Children will demonstrate stronger engagement in education, improved confidence and readiness to complete key schooling milestones. Success will be measured through attendance records at after-school tuition centres, school retention data, and simple learning assessments collected by program facilitators.
For women, the project aims to increase access to safer, more stable livelihood opportunities and strengthen economic independence. Women completing vocational training will demonstrate improved practical skills, confidence and employability.
Across all activities, the project seeks to strengthen women’s agency and collective voice, particularly through the Domestic Workers’ Union. Increased participation, safer work practices and awareness of rights will indicate success.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $27,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Individual donations | $12,000 |
| Funding Gap | $15,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Project costs | $27,000 |
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