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Alphonse Raj reports: During COVID-19 lockdowns, many children migrated from their villages and became child labourers in nearby towns. Child marriage also increased. When schools reopened about 30% of children didn't return. Our sessions raised awareness about these issues. A children's action group was formed with village level children groups which will speak to parents about education and prevention of child marriage. They will also talk to their peers and bring them back to school. Any violence or abuse of children will be brought to the knowledge of a child protection cell through a toll free number.

Tribal women from Self Help Groups at a meeting aimed at setting up self employment projects in tribal areas. Note the masks which were mostly made by tailoring trainees from patterns sent by Caroline Hammond and are sold for 15 rupees (15p). The other photo is of the beautiful Nilgiris and shows how development is encroaching on previously forested hillsides.

Caroline Hammond has made hundreds of colourful Covid masks to donate to those that needed them over the last 18 months here in Cornwall. She sent her patterns and models to our sewing and tailoring training school in the Nilgiris. Using the thread that Karen Osborne had collected from donors, trainees made their first masks today. They will be distributed around tribal villages where there is a desperate shortage. Thanks to Alphonse Raj for organising this so quickly.

It's more important than ever for tribal farmers to produce crops for family consumption and sale. Plots can be wrecked in a few minutes by wild animals such as bison, bears, elephants and boars from the surrounding forest. Nets help to keep out the smaller animals but families need to keep a constant watch for the larger ones, especially at night, when they use noise and fireworks to chase them away. Solar fencing is effective but expensive.