This past spring, Kalangarai conducted a community outreach program to empower children of widows and single women through education and career guidance.

The staff visited nearly 120 families in the villages to understand their realities, focusing on identifying children’s educational needs and fostering relationships based on dignity, compassion, and social inclusion. This outreach helped gather insights into the aspirations of widows and single women, which informed the development of a Career Guidance Program. Held over two days, the program benefited around 170 children and youth.

The program offered practical advice on higher education opportunities, scholarships, government welfare schemes, reservation policies, career planning, and skill development pathways. By providing relevant information and promoting informed choices, the initiative aimed to increase access to education and enhance long-term livelihood prospects.

Field interactions by the educators uncovered significant barriers such as financial hardship, social stigma, gender discrimination, and caste-based exclusion. Despite these obstacles, parents showed strong commitment to their children’s education and held hopes for a brighter future.

Widows and single women appreciated the personalised guidance and support provided to their children, viewing it as an investment in their future and a source of lasting hope. This initiative highlights that targeted career guidance combined with field engagement can create meaningful opportunities for vulnerable youth and help break social and economic cycles of disadvantage.

We will be able to help these students pursue and complete their studies with the educational support of Friends of Kalangarai. We also help in the best possible way with employability opportunities.