Anna4children is financing the higher studies for 4 girls at professional schools after their high school diploma. They have just started the last year of their academic career and are already carrying out internships at external companies.
Their names are Maghis, Anushya, Monica and Prema. Two of them are in textiles (quality control and logistics) and two in agriculture (production methods, irrigation techniques, chemistry and use of fertilizers). They did short periods of practical learning in some local companies. Sr Shanthi explained to us that the rural reality of the area and their mentality will certainly lead them to find work only in the Tamil Nadu region and close to a single parent or some relative. A girl with their social background can very hardly go and live "alone" despite having a job. She is too at risk of evening attacks by men and frowned upon by society. She must therefore “commute” daily or if employed by a large company, live in their accommodation to return home at the weekend. Even sharing accommodation between 2-3 colleagues involves total mutual trust. It will take generations for society and respect for women to mature. The realities of independence for women in Bombay or New Delhi are not comparable to those in rural Tamil Nadu.
Sr Shanthi told us that even widows with dependent children are forced to move and move closer to relatives, to obtain protection and status.
Una cosa positiva è che le ragazze provenienti dalle zone rurali con una certa qualifica (le nostre ospiti) hanno maggiore punteggio per accedere a lavori governativi.
Quando ci hanno salutati domenica per rientrare nell’ostello delle suore a Salem e riprendere l’università, piangevano, continuavano a ringraziarci e non volevano che partissimo. È stato difficilissimo lasciarle andare.
