In partnership with the Don Bosco Ashalayam NGO near Calcutta and with the support of the French association Solibad (Solidarité Badminton), OFI has just launched the ‘Healthy Mind in Fit Body’ programme to improve learning conditions and promote the personal development of underprivileged children through sport and music.

 The programme includes renovating the educational and sports infrastructure at Don Bosco Ashalayam, upgrading the computer laboratory, creating three libraries, continuing rugby and badminton practice, and introducing music into the curriculum. It also involves setting up support and sports classes in 25 community centers for children from disadvantaged areas, which have been established by Don Bosco Ashalayam.

 Around 350 children will benefit from this initiative.

Over the past two years, OFI, in partnership with the NGOs SEVAI, Gramium Trust and HUT, has implemented the Bits N' Bytes programme, which aims to bridge the digital divide for young people in rural areas, particularly young women. 

More than 1,300 young people have been given the opportunity to develop essential digital skills through the installation of three fully equipped computer labs, including around 60 desktops, 12 laptops and internet access, and full-time trainers. Collaboration with accredited institutions has also been established, allowing the young people trained to obtain a government diploma, giving them better career opportunities.

Thank you to all the foundations and organisations that have trusted us to help fund this program.

 The “À la vie à la terre” project, supported by the Alstom Foundation, aims to increase the availability of water (rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of reservoirs), promote sustainable agriculture (use of natural fertilisers and composting) and empower women through the creation of self-help groups (training in day-to-day financial management and access to micro-credit, acquisition of craft skills). 

The project began with a PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) exercise with OFI's partners, Gramium Trust and SEVAI. This is a methodology used to gather information and understand local needs, priorities and resources. It emphasises the active involvement of community members. 

As part of a solidarity trip to southern India, the Italian troupe Circo Patuf gave several free performances in schools supported by OFI. The tour was organised by OFI with the help of an agency specialised in solidarity travel in India. It is financed by selling a book written by the Circo Patuf troupe about their stay in India.

The show was presented in Bangalore to children from DIN (Dream India Network) foster homes and students living in the new boarding school built by DIN, children from migrant communities supported by the Vonisha Service Foundation. The Italian troupe then travelled to Trichy in Tamil Nadu to perform at the Shanti Matriculation School supported by SEVAI, at House of Hope, HUT's home for children affected or infected with AIDS, and finally at DIN's home for disabled adults. 

Laughter and exclamations of surprise were the order of the day. Everyone had a great time, the children, the teachers and even the young people on community service. In return, the members of the Circo Patuf troupe were thrilled to participate in the celebrations of Pongal, the harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.

The entire OFI team rallied to obtain a donation of 4 manual washing machines (the Divya washing machine) from The Washing Machine Foundation. 

 The first machine has just been installed at House of Hope, the home for children affected by AIDS founded by our partner HUT (Human Uplift Trust). It has been placed in the washing area, which was completely refurbished with funds raised at the beginning of the year by OFI. This equipment will not only make it easier to wash clothes but will also save water and lighten the workload of the supervisory teams.

 The other two will be allocated to our partner Kalvi Kendra when the local situation returns to normal. The villages where Kalvi Kendra works have recently been flooded by the cyclone Fengal.

Following several years of drought exacerbated by climate change, the hot weather and lack of rain in April and May further reduced water reserves, creating a water crisis for fami

lies.

In 10 villages, OFI financed the delivery of water by more than 150 tanker trucks, organized by its partner NGO GRAMIUM. Some 4,675 people benefited over a 15-day period.

There was no shortage of water in the villages where OFI-funded reservoirs and wells were dug. A great success.

Launched in February 2024 with funding from the Isabel Marant Foundation and in partnership with local NGOs SEVAI, GRAMIUM, and ACT, the Kalakari project aims to help integrate vulnerable women into the labour market by providing training in various craft trades. These women can then be employed by the NGOs or establish their own businesses.

So far, SEVAI has trained 30 women in carpet weaving and 38 in textile production, hiring 51 of them in its factories. With the support of GRAMIUM, 20 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed, and 222 women have received training in sari weaving. 

ACT is focused on upcycling saris in collaboration with women from the Dolora tribal community, having trained 19 women, 8 of whom are currently on work placements with the local NGO.

By financing these training programs, supporting the women, and collaborating with local partners, OFI fosters economic autonomy while promoting traditional crafts and a sustainable development model.

Since July 2024, OFI has been supporting Shalom Ooty (Tamil Nadu), an NGO that has been teaching traditional embroidery to the Toda community for over 20 years.

This collaboration aims to train 100 women in traditional embroidery over a 9-month period. The women work from home, with flexible hours. The sale of their products brings them an additional income which they use to educate their children in an English school, combining the preservation of traditional crafts with social progress.

In Tamil Nadu, with financial support from the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation and in partnership with GRAMIUM, 80 women's toilets have been renovated. This initiative is crucial for women's health and rights. However, renovation alone is not sufficient. The project also includes hygiene training provided by social workers to ensure the correct and sustainable use of these facilities. By focusing on hygiene education, this initiative plays an essential role in protecting women's health while enhancing their dignity and safety

Given the progress of digital technology and its increasing importance in everyday life, within our different NGO partners in Tamil Nadu, such as SEVAI, GRAMIUM, and HUT, we have established computer centers to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban populations. These centers play a crucial role for young people by assisting them in their job searches. For women, they provide the opportunity to expand their skills, particularly in managing their businesses, as part of our SHG/JLG programs. OFI will continue to implement these programs in 2024 to reach a maximum number of students and women throughout Tamil Nadu.

At our partner NGO – ICOD in West Bengal, we have successfully completed the first phase of the roof construction project. The objective of this project is to create a safe and adequate environment for the residents and also to obtain the necessary permits for the continuity of ICOD's actions.

The new concrete roof construction will also meet the Indian building standards. The roofs will replace thatched roofs that are more vulnerable to climate change.

The project is starting with 2 houses - Tagore Bhavan: A home for the Old and unwell Woman  at Mother Teresa Bhavan:

A home for the intellectually and physically disabled Women.

The center, operated by our local partner DIN in Trichy, provides a safe space for individuals with mental health issues. The home offers comfortable dormitories, regular medical check-ups, a specialized diet, and various recreational and rehabilitation activities. Its primary goal is to fully rehabilitate the residents while ensuring their rights and dignity. To support the centre and remain active, residents also assist in preparing snacks that are sold near schools and shopping centers. This initiative not only helps in funding the center but also helps the residents in integrating into society.

This month, thanks once again to your donations, a new project was born: the “Smile mission” within the Shanti School of our partner SEVAI. Funds were raised to purchase oral hygiene kits: kits consisting of a toothbrush and toothpaste contained in small bags for transport. These bags were notably sewn from old masks used during the COVID period. The “Smile Mission” will benefit 131 kindergarten children. Agathe, a volunteer in civic service in this school, will be responsible for teaching the appropriate gestures, both simple and sometimes complicated, to these children who do not necessarily have parental figures allowing them to reproduce these gestures. Thank you again for making this project possible!