It is estimated that there are 30,000 children living rough on the streets or in the slums of the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, South India. They survive by rag picking, begging and scavenging in sewers which run right past their homes. The caste system keeps these families in poverty. 
NewDawn India exists to provide support for the Vidiyal Project, run by Jim Jesudoss and his dedicated team, which works towards the relief of poverty in the Madurai slums. ‘Vidiyal’ means a new dawn or new beginning, and new hope. 
There is a special emphasis on projects for children, healthcare, education and training. 

The Vidiyal Street Children Project 
The largest part of the Vidiyal Project is the work with the street children. Some 300 children come daily to the Vidiyal drop-in centres, where they receive unconditional love, as well as material needs, such as food and clothing and medical care. While still living at home with their families in the slums, the children are found places in local schools and workshops, many moving on to higher education and apprenticeships.

The Vidiyal Shelter Home 
Many of the children who arrive at Vidiyal have been abandoned or orphaned and some have been abused on the streets. A building has been constructed to provide a home for these children so that they can receive love, care and an education. Many of the orphaned children and those who live in the slum are sponsored by supporters in the UK and the children value the love, interest and encouragement they receive from their sponsors.

The Vidiyal School 
To help cope with the considerable increase in the number of children attending the local schools, the Vidiyal Project began its own school, which is also housed in the new Vidiyal centre. Parents of the slum and street children are very keen for their youngsters to have an education and demand for places is high.

A drop-in centre is available for working boys. These young lads would otherwise spend all 24 hours every day, working and sleeping in the street corner cafes where they are employed.

A tailoring centre for young women who were previously panning in the sewers. (For more information see the 'Vidiyal and the Children' page.)

The Reception Home is next to the Vidiyal Shelter Home and provides accommodation and care for boys that the police have picked up on the streets. A recent project that has been undertaken was to create a garden and playground for these boys to enjoy.

Computer training for young people in the Vidiyal drop-in centre.

Vidiyal's work extends into the slum itself offering love, care and practical help to elderly people and the families of the Vidiyal children.