We at SAADOW believe that empowering women and children will empower a nation. Under Women empowerment, we have promoted SHGs and we are arranging funds for their projects. We also conduct need based income generation trainings for them. We also monitor their savings and loans. We have SHGs for the disabled, SHGs for Aged, SHGs for women, SHGs for men, and SHGs for minority women.We have 112 Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in our project villages. They regularly save money, avail loans and are strengthening their local resource based income generation activities.
 
We have received a loan amount to the tune of Rs.9,00,000.00 from the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation [NMDFC] of India, New Delhi for minority women SHGs. So far we have repaid Rs.1,50,000.00 to NMDFC. We are also conducting Readymade garment trainings for our women SHGs and availing loan amount for strengthening their business activities. We've also received loan amount Rs.5,00,000.00, under Loan Promotion Scheme from the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh [RMK], Government of India, New Delhi and also repaid the same. Under the Composite Loan Scheme from RMK we have received loan amount Rs.20,00,000.00 and repaid Rs. 5,46,000.00.

So far our beneficiaries are repaying sincerely and improving their social and economic status in the project area. Their needs are high in nature we are also searching for Micro credits for their development. At present we are approaching Canara Bank, Natham and other micro credit agencies for fulfilling their needs.

We are running five creches at Kypiapuram, Chinnayapuram, Kalathupatti, Chinnamalaiyur and Merkupatti under NCF – Rajiv Gandhi creche programme Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi. From this centre nearly 128 rural children from the hilly area are getting Basic education and Health education. These childrens‘ parents are working freely in the field while they are taken care of in the creche.
 
Besides we are running one more creche at K.Pudur and 27 children are benefiting from it. For these creche activities we have submitted the project proposal to the Social Welfare Department, Chennai under the State Creche Programme.
 
We are conducting non-formal education programme for school dropout children and child labourers. We are running two centres at Kalathupatti and Chinnamalaiyur and nearly 43 children are getting life skill education. Around 4321 children were reenrolled in the regular schools for getting continuous education. In this regard our local community is supporting for continuing the programme.

A home for 29 Street Children who are from disorganized families is run at Natham, Dindigul District. They are getting all the love and affection which they were deprived of from their families. They are given one-time food, indoor games facilities and Non-formal education. The practice of savings is also inculcated in them. For this project we need resources and fund for building renovation. We welcome contributions in cash and kind like dresses, food, vessels and indoor games materials

The aged members in our women SHG families  are  benefiting from Help Age India  income generating  programme. In the 1st phase 27 beneficiaries and in the 2nd phase, 28 beneficiaries were benefited. At present 48 beneficiaries are benefiting through the revolving loan. They are strengthening their family based income generation activities like broomstick making, coconut leaves thatching, rope making, basket making, sheep rearing and other petty trades. The aged persons are living with family, getting recognition from the society and the community. The family is supporting and taking care of their physical, psychological and sociological needs of the elders. Our partner agency Help Age India is guiding and monitoring the project activities from time to time. Our elders are also promptly repaying the loans sanctioned to them.

Community based rehabilitation programmes for the disabled persons in the project villages of Natham and Sanarpatti Blocks were organized. In this programme, women and pregnant mothers were educated about early defect awareness. The other trainings which we undertake periodically are as follows: SHGs formation, Credit linkage activities, Vocational trainings, Educational guidance, guide to avail identity card, medical check ups and disabled persons pension, Subsidiary loans, Aids and appliances etc.

We have received grants from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for the past 3 years. In the year 2004-05, under Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation, we received grant-in-aid amount Rs.40,608.00. In the year 2005-06, grant-in-aid Rs.1,06,920.00 was received from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi.

A National integration camp for the development of youth in the rural hilly area was organized this year. From our tailoring centre 42 rural young women were trained and employed in the local readymade garment units. A few of them are also self-employed. Now we are approaching Nehru Yuva Kendra Dindigul District for conducting life skill education for the rural youth. This project is under the consideration of Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of India, New Delhi.

We conduct regular awareness campaigns on Drugs, Aids, Cancer and other diseases. We also counsel individuals and families on social issues and also offer referral services.
 
Under women health we are implementing a project to combat "Reproductive Tract Infections" [RTI] among rural women. RTI / STI was reduced by 15–22% from the existing level of 60% due to increased awareness.
 
Rural Child Health [RCH] is very vital for the growth of a nation. We have implemented a project “Empowering Women SHG’s on RCH Knowledge” with the support of Population Foundation of India, New Delhi. We have targeted to solve the RCH issues like child survival, safe motherhood, STD / RTI / STI / HIV / AIDS, adolescents health by counselling eligible couples, at 66 villages by the integrated involvement of women SHG’s. Because women SHGs are a good vehicle to spread messages to our community.

We have promoted and encouraged natural farming among farmers and also educated them about harmful side effects of using chemicals and fertilizers to control pests and increase production. We have conducted regular trainings on natural farming techniques.

We are educating the rural population on indigenous cultivation of medicinal plants, their usage and conservation. They are also trained on preparation of medicines from these medicinal plants. We also encourage Kitchen Herbal Garden. Training is also given on raising plants in a Nursery.

We conduct general awareness campaigns on Pollution Control, Environment protection, Road Safety, Disaster Management and other issues. In order to prevent wastage of rain water, we are planning to implement watersheds in our project area. To increase the cultivable area we are planning to implement wasteland development activities in our project area. We are seeking projects for wasteland and watershed development, medicinal plants conservation and are also planning for a tie up with SHGs to extend our activities.

Our youth groups are involved in Natural  Integration Camps and Community Development Activities. Every year 25 women rural youths are completing their tailoring training. They are getting placed in the readymade garment units in their villages and neighboring towns and earning a regular income. Some of them have also purchased tailoring machines with our help and set up their own tailoring units.