Change Makers Foundation

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Field visit to a village in Ambur.

Ambur, Tamil Nadu, India · Field visit date: June 11, 2023

Field visit image from Ambur, Tamil Nadu

Overview

Understanding hardship before designing help.

This case study sheds light on our journey to understand and address the hardships faced by villagers in a rural region in southern India, and how Change Makers Foundation plans to improve lives through focused, practical interventions.

10 kmchildren walk to school
6priority needs identified
2023field visit completed
$2,640raised toward $64,500 estimated project cost

Observations

Electricity, education, food, and shelter are deeply connected.

As the team set foot in Tirupathur-Ambur, electricity scarcity was immediately apparent. Villagers endure long, dark nights, relying on candles and open fires for light. The absence of reliable lighting hinders educational opportunities, economic growth, and community development.

Children travel long distances to school, often without shoes or protective footwear. Many families survive in small mud homes with limited beds, bathrooms, and kitchens, leaving them vulnerable during extreme weather and daily hardship.

A family home observed during the Ambur field visit
A resident documented during the Ambur village visit
“I want to become a doctor. Where we live, there is no medical help nearby. We must travel far to get to the nearest hospital.”
High school student interviewed during the visit

Our Approach

A holistic plan for the village.

Driven by these interactions, Change Makers Foundation has developed a comprehensive plan to address the village’s challenges through shelter reconstruction, solar lighting, food security, transportation support, clothing drives, mentorship, scholarships, and job opportunities.

SheltersLightingFoodTransportationClothingMentorshipScholarshipsJobs
1

Shelter Reconstruction

We will rally volunteers and construction experts to build stronger homes designed to withstand extreme weather and provide families with security and comfort.

2

Solar Lighting Initiative

Working with renewable energy experts, we plan to install solar-powered lighting so households gain safer nights, longer study hours, and more productive evenings.

3

Food Security

Community gardens and food drives will help families access nutritious meals and shelf-stable supplies during periods of scarcity.

4

Transportation & Clothing

Local transport partnerships can reduce long journeys to schools, hospitals, and markets, while clothing drives provide practical support for children and families.

5

Mentorship, Scholarships, and Jobs

Scholarship programs, mentorship, skill development, entrepreneurship workshops, and industry partnerships will help villagers pursue education and better-paying work.