By Benjamin Chinnappan | President & Chairman
While caste-based discrimination in India continues to grow, fair and equal treatment is just a fantasy. For many children in India, school is just a dream. Caught in the cycle of poverty and exploitation, they are deprived of an education, they live in abject poverty, and they are forced to drop out of school and become child laborers.
Dalit Solidarity established St. Patrick's Academy in 2000 to brighten the lives of poor, marginalized and school dropout children. St. Partick's is providing quality and affordable education to children who come from rural communities.
More than 70% of those enrolled are Dalits who are untouchables under the caste system. Most of them are the first generation in their families to attend English Medium schools. A total of 75% of the families are daily laborers, who make less than $5 per day. As many as 80% of the parents are illiterate and struggle hard with their daily livelihood. We keep our doors open to any child regardless of their ability to pay or not. St. Patrick's maintains a strong record of success and excellence in meeting our objectives.
Currently more than 850 children are enrolled at St Patrick school from kindergarten to higher secondary. They come from 30 rural and remote villages that have no access to quality education and public transportation.
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