Presentation
A good vocational training can be an efficient way to rehabilitate young adolescents, poorly educated because they early left the school or only had the “street school”. That’s why Volontariat created a carpentry section (Liege) and a binding unit of books and notebooks (Uyarvu). Computer and training courses like Vidou or Minnal are intended for those who have a higher academic level and a minimum knowledge of written and spoken English.
Liege Section: carpentry This unit which, at present, is on reorganization, employs three qualified carpenters who learned their craft on the spot. The section is supported by the Committee of Belgium, branch of Liège. Production is very diverse: the main customer is the Volontariat who has to equip and maintain all its centers. They could also take orders from outside for furniture (beds, tables, chairs and armchairs, etc) and restore antique furniture, bought in Pondicherry and sold locally.
Liege carpentry is running a training centre for young boys, some of whom stopped the school and/or are coming from Souriya centre. The course lasts one or two years and the varied activities enable trainees to achieve quality work that will serve them in a future job search. They will be helped by the social workers to find a carpentry workshop or a local furniture manufacturer. Dozens of boys have benefited from this assistance since the programme began.
Kalai art: art section One artist is employed who is executing all kind of art work ordered by the sections of Volontariat. He also realizes greeting cards with various designs, sometimes embroidered by Atelier Shanti. The products are available on site at Navin or ordered through catalo gue by the helping committees in Europe. Uyarvu: training & production
From the origin, this training unit was mainly dedicated to the boys of Souriya to let them have a regular activity and learn a skill for their future. With a professional cutting machine and under the supervision of the In-charge of Kalai Art, several apprentices are trained in the binding of books and notebooks. Volontariat is the lone customer of Uyarvu, with a yearly order of 15 to 20,000 notebooks, books, etc., that the Parrainage section distributes to all the children who benefit from the programme.
Minerva unit of pearls
This unit employs a few women of low socio-economic background and/or physically handicapped who are salaries of Volontariat and produce fancy jewelry, glass bead necklaces, bracelets, bags, etc, only on orderArticles are displayed at Navin and can be ordered by the committees from a catalogue.
Section Olivier, computer classes
Years ago, Volontariat opened two computer classes, theoretical and practical. The lower level lasts 6 months and is run out of the school hours, with about 15 students, each batch. It is dedicated to the initiation and practice of the most usual programs. Those who pass the final examination stage may continue with the 2nd stage during which, alongside elements of theory, they also learn elements of "hardware".
Many girls and boys, with their Diploma delivered by Volontariat, have found employment in the computer companies of Pondicherry. It’s a very encouraging result which motivates us to improve the quality of the training.
Other professional guidelines: Volontariat, encouraged by its supporting committees, is engaged with more determination in vocational training leading to jobs, internally and externally:
Internally: Several courses have been taught in various fields with good results for employment, but some could not be repeated in order not to saturate the market or for lack of
availability of teachers or candidates. Examples include 1 - the theoretical and practical training for the repair of electrical appliances such as televisions, 2 – VIDOU, training in industrial design applied to the constructions, 3- training MINNAL for electricity . [See the section NEWS in this site]. But as it is mentioned earlier, there are less and less candidates for manual jobs and Volontariat could not renew these courses.
Outside: After finishing the higher secondary school, many sponsored children wish to go on a course in a College. These courses are often very expensive, especially those offered by private organizations. Tuition fees may be partially supported through the public schemes, favouring children belonging to the lower castes [positive discrimination]. A bank loan is also possible, which will be repaid when the young graduate takes up a job. Volontariat, after verifying the quality of the training and the motivation of the youngsters, is also committed to pay the hostel expenses if the young person has to be resident for 2 or 3 years, or to advance the tuition fees before the loan is effective.
