Rural Education And Development Society (READS)

Some of their activities are:

• NABFINS scheme of NABARD: READS is connected to more than 900 men and women Self-Help Groups (SHG). The role of READS is to connect SHGs to NABARD Financial Services Ltd (NABFINS), which is a subsidiary of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), and support them in the process of getting micro-credit. This was a unique opportunity for women to become financially independent as most of the SHG members used their micro-credit money to buy cows, equipment for agricultural work, petty shops, etc. Loan of Rs20,000-50,000 per member is granted. So far, the total amount disbursed to SHGs under this scheme is Rs2,826.19 lakhs.
• Special Residential School for Mentally Challenged Children: The Government of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned a grant for running a Special school, to facilitate 50 mentally challenged children through special education, exercises, and rehabilitation services.
• The Childline Programme: READS supports and promotes a helpline called ‘CHILDLINE 1098’ as a part of the CHILDLINE India Foundation network, by reaching out to local schools every week. Interventions covered – medical help, shelter, restoration with family, rescue, finding missing children, etc.
• Other programmes: (i) Agricultural training, (ii) Environmental camps, (iii) Women leadership training programmes.