Watch the film above! It’s a 3 minute explainer video and will tell you all you need to know!
Who we are: Sathyam Association acts as a direct support channel for KKSS, a social welfare society that provides rehabilitation, education and housing for children, women and the elderly since 1983. In 2017 they won the Best Institute for Women’s Rights in Tamil Nadu (a state of over 70 million people) - so they are doing something right! Sathyam was created to support them in their work: build facilities, better internal processes and income generation opportunities for the girls and women in India. Together, we are committed to providing better futures for those that need it.
What are we doing? In 2020 we are building the Sathyam Empowerment Centre: A multipurpose facility enabling us to provide training to women in need, a study space for our girls and a green roof to battle the harsh effects of climate change. In partnership with our local NGO in Chennai, we want to build a multipurpose facility that will enable us to provide:
1. A training programs to women in need - including education and small businesses
2. A safe and easy space for our girls (aged 6-15) to study
3. A green space for our elderly to sit and engage with
4. A green roof to battle the harsh effects of climate change and cool the building without relying on dirty energy
We have partnered with a local architecture firm who have provided the plans, we have a construction company ready to provide services at cost, and a business partner to provide high quality training and income opportunities for our women. Everything is in place for the Sathyam Empowerment Centre to come to life, we just need the money!
All or nothing fundraising:
We are fundraising on StartSomeGood with an all-or-nothing approach. This means that if it doesn’t get funded, we won’t go ahead at this moment in time. You also won’t be charged until the end of the 30 day fundraising. So you can be sure that if you will be part of a bigger community that also believes in the future of these girls!
A little more about us:
The Sathyam philosophy stems from a belief in the strength and equality of women. Our mission is to transform the lives of girls and women by creating profitable and sustainable social enterprises and facilities that provide reliable, long-lasting education for local girls as well offering job training for women in the community. As a community-driven social enterprise, all the profits from the Sathyam Project are invested in the work of KKSS.
WE BELIEVE ALL GIRLS AND WOMEN SHOULD
- live life with dignity and independence
- have equal access to economic + social opportunities
- have freedom from violence
- have access to high quality education
Sathyam Cafe
In 2019 we launched Sathyam Cafe, a restaurant to provide funds to pay for education costs and provide job training for some of the women in the refuge:
Why is this necessary?
Ultimately, we do what we do because we believe that by providing tools, training and improve facilities for disadvantaged girls and women in India, then they will become well equipped empowered and active members of society. If these girls and women become well equipped, empowered and active members of society, the impact will be reducing inequality and ensuring we have female leaders of tomorrow with a ripple effect that changes lives, communities and entire nations.
The reality surrounding being born female in India is devastating. The SmileFoundation reports that of the 12 million baby girls born into India every year, 1 million do not live to see their first birthday and that 16% of young female deaths can be attributed to gender discrimination. Less than half of India's children between the age 6 and 14 go to school, and 53% of girls in the age group of 5 to 9 years are illiterate.
It's not much easier as a woman either. Domestic violence is common and for victims it's hard to break free. If they do, they can be rejected by their families with nowhere to go and no skills to work.
The problem is systemic. Girl by girl, woman by woman, KKSS and Sathyam Association are trying to break this poverty cycle by providing clean and safe accommodation, quality education and job training.
And who is KKSS?
KKSS is a Chennai based NGO and has been caring for disadvantaged babies, children, women and the elderly since 1983. They have had thousands of people in need, mostly girls and women, come through their campus and become empowered, confident and happy members of society.
We are a registered non-profit
Sathyam Association is a registered non-profit organisation in Portugal, and will be happy to provide receipts upon request for any donation. Please get in contact with saskia@sathyamproject to organise!
The Sathyam Empowerment Centre:
Here are the plans of the Empowerment Centre building. If you want to know more information, please contact Saskia [email protected]
