We left our beautiful beach under the coconut trees to go and visit Maria Fernandes, an Indian woman I had met in Burkina Faso six years ago (hard to believe it was six years ago). We went to Honnavar, a small town northwest of Karnataka. There, Maria runs the Institute Maria Nilaya that was created 30 years ago in order to promote education in this rural region of India. While walking among the pretty neighbouring houses, it was difficult to imagine the context of the times described by the most senior women of the team. Through its struggle, the institute has been both witness and actor of this development. It first created a boarding school, and then developed vocational training.

Eulalia, the administrator of the centre, took us to visit the boarding school that each year welcomes about 45 girls born of destitute families. It allows them to study in good conditions. The boarding school guarantees them board and lodging: the younger (from 11 to 16 years old) and the older (after high school) sleep in two big separate dormitories and full meals are served every day. Moreover, they benefit from continuous support that helps them progress, and they can focus on their homework without the everyday familial tasks taking up all their time. The parents contribute in their own way to the costs. As a good administrator, Eulalia explained to us the tricks to make good non-expensive meals, and all the things that allow saving money without harming the welcoming quality of the centre.
               Eulalia showing us the activities of the Institute Maria Nilaya

In order to allow some young girls to quickly practise a job that does not require many years of study, the institute also developed two three-month vocational courses that lead to a recognised diploma. The centre has a big room equipped to give sewing training. Each training course welcomes about 30 young girls who leave the course at the end with a sewing machine each and can then be self-employed. Another course for medical aid was created then with the same objective. The courses (treatment, wellbeing, nutrition, hygiene, etc.) are taught by a doctor from the hospital of Honnavar, outside teachers and members of the team. The next objective is to install social worker training.

In India, the educational improvements resulted in an increase in the demand for training and jobs in subjects that are more fashionable, like new technologies and computer science. The students all dream to go to Bangalore with a successful start-up, and abandon the traditional subjects. A lot of them become disillusioned when they cannot find a job at the end of their studies, especially the girls that tradition often prevents from going alone far from their families. For Julali, the short-term qualifying training, as they are offered in the centre, must be developed and encouraged. On one hand, they are adapted to the education level of the great majority. On the other hand, they lead to jobs where the need for labour is important. Quite a few young girls who decide to follow their programs find a job or are self-employed. In this way, they give themselves the chance for a more independent and fulfilled life.

How to help

Julali has worked in the centre for ten years. She saw the education becoming an important and everyday feature of life in Honnavar, especially thanks to the consciousness-raising work led by the institute. By supporting it financially, you can help it pursue its action with the poor and develop its training programs.

Contact

Institute Maria Nilaya
Church Road – N.Kanara
Honnavar 581 334
India

Telephone : +91 8387 220392
E-mail : mnilaya@yahoo.com

Gabrielle
(Translation: Yolene Dabreteau)