Camp Rainbow follow-up day

As you might remember Arogya Agam had a camp programme for HIV+ adolescent back in January. Yesterday we had a follow-up day with the same group. This time they discussed HIV challenges and stigma. The session in the pictures below was about stigma. Before one from the group would blindfolded find their way to the container named "stigma" with dirty water in with a cup of water in their hands the team had to answer a question about HIV. The point of the exercise was to show that when knowledge is increased stigma decreases. So the more water or knowledge they poured into the "stigma" the clearer it became and less stigma was left.

They also had an arts and crafts session where they made their own paintings. Overall it was a really fun day where they gained a lot of new knowledge.

Holiday activities

The children have their summer holidays now until mid June. They are often complaining about being bored and lacking fun activities to fill their time with. The children groups in 20 villages have therefore arranged an afternoon filled with games and competitions. They competed in race walking, drawing, chess, skipping, singing and dancing. 

Congratulations to Mahendran!

The results from the 12th standard board exams came out on Thursday and the marks in these exams determine what and where the students can apply for higher education.

Mahendran, a Arunthathiyar and son of parents who work as daily labourers, came out with the highest marks in his school! He is now able to study medicine and become a doctor which is his dream. 

His got 195 in Tamil, 181 in English, 200 in maths, 196 in biology, 195 in physics and 200 in chemistry which gives a total of 1167!

Congratulations to Mahendran and his family!

Mahendran with his mother and brother

Higher education for dalits

Dalit students are underrepresented in higher education. Arogya Agam held a meeting for students who just finished their final exams and are ready to go into higher education. The meeting addressed the application process, their expectations, the scholarships which they are eligible for because of their low caste status etc. Many parents and students attended to learn more about the possibilities for the future!