Tribal Outreach Programme | Goodwill Children's Homes

Thriving Roots
Our Tribal Outreach Programme

In 2002, Goodwill Children's Homes began working with local communities, supporting children in their own families through its Tribal Outreach Programme (TORP). Since then, TORP has played an increasingly important role in its target 23 villages, particularly in the lives of the children and young people who are being helped to stay in school and further education.

In the hill areas, there is widespread poverty and suffering, especially for the children of these mainly tribal communities. To halt the cycle of poverty, education is essential, but low expectations and poorly maintained schools have led to high dropout rates are high, particularly in the primary sector.

TORP currently supports 23 villages and 13 schools in its target area, located around K.C.Patti Village at a height of 800 to 1,000 meters above sea level, in the middle and lower Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu, South India. The area is populated by Palayer and Pulayer Tribals, as well as low caste labourers and a few small farming communities. The majority of the target communities live in extreme poverty, without adequate shelter or basic facilities. During the monsoon and winter seasons, the climate is cold and damp for up to 5 months of the year.

Schools are often constructed by the community or, in some cases, donated by a local landowner; tin sheet roofing is common, and walls are made of semi-fired mud bricks with cement plastering. Lack of maintenance funding means that the majority of these buildings are extremely run down; roofing sheets are rusted through, letting in rain during the monsoon season.

Many of the villages and a number of schools are located within forest areas without road access; they are reached only on foot or on horseback. The isolation of the villages, dependence on agricultural work and low literacy have been barriers to change.

TORP focuses on improving the lives of tribal communities through sustainable development activities, including education, livelihood training, health camps, and women’s empowerment initiatives. We support children from the village if they want to continue their education.

Health problems of children or elders in the family are major factors contributing to high drop-out levels in schools. We organise medical camps, eye camps and doctors to visit villages regularly. Lack of hygiene and sanitation facilities contributes to most health problems.

Lack of sustainable employment opportunities is causing seasonal migration and financial insecurity. Learning a trade opens up many doors for young people and builds capacity in their community.

Palayer or Pulayer Tribals are classed as Scheduled Tribes and Castes by the Indian government in recognition of the prejudice and lack of opportunity they experience. Few young men have completed school, and most have dropped out before final examinations. Without any special skills, they become dependent on work on the coffee estates and spice plantations.

Many of the children living in Goodwill’s residential homes come from TORP’s project area, and Goodwill has been supporting orphan children from these communities within its residential care programme for many years.

By sponsoring our Thriving Roots programme, you can change a life and uplift a tribal community.

Through partnerships with institutions like Gandhigram University, Primary Health Centres, and local government bodies, “Thriving Roots” empowers tribal youth and women with skill training in tailoring, farming, and mechanical work. It facilitates the formation of Self-Help Groups, microfinance support, and market linkages. Leadership training, cultural preservation, and promotion of government schemes ensure that communities grow stronger and more self-reliant. With clear implementation phases and a focus on sustainability, this initiative aims to create a long-lasting impact by increasing literacy, improving health, generating income, and fostering inclusive development.