Children from rural villages in Tamil Nadu participated in a design contest to address issues in their communities. They identified that many children were dropping out of school in Kalingavaram Village. After investigating, they found the main causes of dropout were lack of motivation, inability to afford school, family responsibilities, and not understanding the importance of education. The children then visited the homes of dropouts to explain the value of schooling to parents and children. They provided incentives like books, slates and bags to motivate dropouts to re-enroll in school. The goal was to give children a voice in local issues and help develop their village through education.

1. Design for CHANGE Contest
Children of Kalingavaram Village, Soolagiri
Block,
Krishnagiri District

2. Introduction
 Children from 66 AID INDIA Eureka Superkidz
Centers in Vellore, Cuddaore, Kanchipuram ,
Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri participated in this
contest
 The drive of this contest is to connect the child’s voice to
the Panchayat and lay the foundation for a Dream
Village!

3. Objectives
 To help children voice their opinions and
participate in issues that affect them
through informed debates and discussions.
 To actively encourage children on
community action to get their needs heard
in the Panchayat.

4. Process INVOLVED
1. The children identified the number of school dropouts in their
village.
2. They identified the cause in the increasing number of dropouts.
3. Children along with their school headmaster and a few volunteers
made home visit to homes of children who dropped out of school.
4. Children explained the importance of education to parents and
children.
5. Dropped out children were motivated to join back in school and
were provided with free books and bags.

5. Children identified the number of
school dropouts in their village
 Children realized that number of drop outs from schools
every year has been on the rise.
 They decided to take up this issue, identify its cause and
effect and find a solution for the same.

6. Cause was identified
The children dropped out of school because:
1. They lacked proper motivation.
2. They could not afford to pay and learn.
3. They had to take care of their family’s needs as the
families were poor.
4. They did not understand the importance of
education.

7. Children taking care of cattle
Most children were involved in taking
care of cattle in the field

8. MADE HOME VISIT
 Children along with their
school headmaster and a
few volunteers made
home visit to homes of
children who dropped out
of school.
 Children explained the
importance of education
to parents and children.

9. DROP OUTS WERE
MOTIVATED
 Dropped out children were motivated to join back
in school.
 They were given, free:
1. Books
2. Slates
3. Bags

10. The Team
 Name of Children
 1. R.Ganesh Kumar
 S.Dhanesh
 Ragavenran
 Srinivas
 Santhosh

11. Kalingavaram Village, Soolagiri Block,
Krishnagiri District,
TAMIL NADU
Facilitated by AID INDIA
7/4, Besant Road, Royapettah,
Chennai 600 014
Ph No: 044-4263 6125