The Shraddha Maanu Foundation (SMF) empowers women to become part-time teachers.
What’s it about? Madhumati Narayanan started the foundation to help educated women from economically weaker sections get part-time teaching jobs. It has trained more than 200 women across its 21 centres in Chennai. For the women, it gives them purpose and a sense of identity as they help teach kids in their communities.
- The foundation’s survey in Nungambakkam and T Nagar showed several educated women remained unemployed. Their husbands were either without work or daily wage labourers.
- SMF designed a 150-hour in-class and online programme in English, numeracy, and digital literacy. The women are given three work options – teach in a nearby government school, at SMF tuition centres, or start one near their home.
Who said what? 26-year-old Kalaivani said she became an entrepreneur after completing the course. She now runs a tuition centre. Madhumati said the women could teach up to Class 5 and are mentored once a week after they complete the course.
(Image credits: SMF website)
