After school programmes
Our after school programmes are all about children being safe and having fun! The programmes support families by offering children a safe place to learn, play and be fed after school everyday in term time.
The majority of our programmes are run from church buildings but are for all of the community. Predominantly the parents of the children are coolie workers. The jobs that they do are low paid, often ad hoc and they work long hours on plantations or on construction sites.
These programmes are essential as they provide care for the children late into the night where children may otherwise be left to fend fo themselves. On average 35 children at each of these centre are provided with a safe space with electricity for study, snacks, games and compassion.
Where are our programmes run?
Hope Gardens currently runs seven programmes in the following communities!
2 villages in Salem area
Mottamalai
Cumbum Mettu
Theni
SulthanKada
Uppokkottai
What difference do these programmes make?
We are delighted that through these programme we are able to inform parents on the importance of education and encourage them to send their children to school. By tutoring the children here as well we are seeing the children's grades at school improve as well as their confidence sky rocket which is fantastic. Above all the children are having fun and are safe. As we reach out to families through the compassion of the day care staff and our church leaders we are experiencing transformation both the children and their families lives.
"Santhous is 9 and comes from a very poor family in Salem.When he first came to Hope Gardens he was very dirty as he had spent so much of his time roaming the streets getting into trouble. Our team reached out to his family, taught them about the importance of education, basic hygiene and caring for each other. We welcomed the family to our after school programme and as a result Santos comes regularly, now attends school and his teachers describe him as a “brilliant student”.
Vasthi Milan
With the increase in living costs in 2024 our charity aims to raise £500 a month for each club. However additional funds will help us give our children additional hot meals and purchase extra resources for education or sport.
As a direct result of your generosity we are delighted to have been able to provide a shelter for Shanti’s club so that she can run her programme regardless of the weather
.
With parents working till late at night, many children are left to their own devices after school. We saw how children were left to play in the streets until late at night so offered children drinks and a meal.
- Rev. Jeberaj Fenn