Mangamanuthu is a village in Southern India where three local Indian Brothers now reside and work in a new Marist Junior Secondary School. The school serves six neighbouring villages where there are many Catholic families. The need for the school is well established. Until the building of the school in 2005, most students finished their education at the end of primary school.

Most families in the villages near Mangamanuthu belong to the social group in India known as ‘Dalits’ (or termed ‘The Untouchables’ in the now banned caste system). The culture today is still prejudicial against the development of these people and hence the priority among Marists is to establish this school and support the local communities.

 

With the construction of the school completed there is a need to furnish five classrooms for future classes. Each classroom in India needs 40 student tables and stools, a teacher’s desk and chair, blackboard and storage cupboards.

 

Donors are being sought to help with the cost of furnishing, which is estimated at $1,000AUD for each classroom. The use of all locally produced furnishings this project will also aid local workers. The average costs of a desk and stool for a student is $20.