Empower Young Women to be Leaders, India

Earlier this summer the Madurai Leadership Academy held their 2023-24 certificate ceremony, which  was filled with joy and excitement. 27 students were awarded certificates for completing courses on Gender, Culture and Society, Leadership, Rights, Basic Computer and Basic and Advanced Tally (accounting software). Their pride and sense of accomplishment is seen in their smiles!

The inaugural SPARK program (student-led learning) commenced at the Madurai Leadership Academy. Yazhini, led the first session, teaching the fundamental movements of Silambam (a Tamil Nadu martial art with a stick).Ranjitham, led a SPARK session on pencil drawing, which students found to be a creative break from exams.For students interested in tech and programming, Sona facilitated sessions on "NetBeans" an integrated development platform for Java programming.

Amirtha, a Madurai Leadership Academy graduate who earned a Bachelor's Degree in Technology, is currently employed as a medical coder. She returned for a visit this May, where she generously contributed her competitive exam books to current students. While there, she nominated Ms. Sumithra as a deserving student for a scholarship. Sumithra, who achieved an impressive score of 536 out of 600 in her 12th standard examinations, aspires to pursue a career as an accountant.

At the Madurai Academy's satellite program in Ramanathapuram, students explored the significance of preserving one's mother tongue and the importance of being multilingual and the The Ramanathapuram satellite SPARK program also began with a student-led workshop focused on "Health and Hygiene," to discuss the intricacies of thyroid health.

The Hyderabad Academy held a special session on Menstrual Hygiene Day, hearing from a gynecologist and two nurses to better understand period myths and discrimination. The students also learned how to design and stitch a menstrual pad - a collaboration with EcoFemme. To celebrate World Bee Day and World Tree Day, Hyderabad Academy students met with a beekeeper and the founder of the Root Feast, who introduced them to an innovative water saving irrigation method. Through various activities, students learned how to protect honeybees and increase tree cover worldwide.

This April, Madurai Leadership Academy students formed a new club called the Velicham Group. Meaning "light" in Tamil, Velicham is for students interested in pursuing government service careers. Working with Academy staff, Velicham has invited guest speakers and a tutor to teach classes and mentor them in their upcoming government examination. Accomplished Academy Alumnae who have obtained government jobs will also guide them in pursing these employment opportunities. Velicham regularly uses the Academy library's exam resources during their study group hours.

The Madurai Leadership Academy has also recently launched "SPARK" a peer-learning initiative for students passionate about sharing their unique skills. So far students have formed courses on Power BI Desktop, SQL, NetBeans, Sign Language, Cucumber Cultivation, Art from Waste, Jasmine Garlanding, Entrepreneurial Skills, Poetry Writing, Self-Defense, Basket Weaving, Aari Work (embroidery), Pencil Drawing, Fireless Cooking, Dance, and Cycling. Stay tuned to learn more about SPARK's summer courses!

As part of their Kitchen Garden training, 15 Hyderabad Leadership Academy students learned the Kratky method, a deep water system for growing vegetables and other plants. The students planted micro-greens in recycled containers and are looking forward to teaching the method to their families and neighbors.

On April 27, Hyderabad Leadership Academy staff and students attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Manchi Pustakam - a long time WEP partner. Meaning "Good Book" in Telugu, Manchi Pustakam is a much loved local Public Trust with a mission to publish and promote books and audio visual material, especially in the Telugu language, and to promote reading among the general public. WEP students enjoyed the event and were interviewed by Enadu and Manavaseva news channels about their Academy Library's Manchi Pustakam books and their love for reading!

On a recent visit to the Madurai Academy, WEP-India Executive Director Anjali Chauhan had the opportunity to visit with area alumnae, including Thenmozhi.  After graduating from the WEP Madurai Leadership Academy, Thenmozhi became a WEP Program Assistant and eventually a successful entrepreneur, running a towel company with her family. An active alumna and donor to the Madurai Academy, Thenmozhi has shared with the WEP students her passion for entrepreneurial pursuits and how the towel company has uplifted her and her family, while providing job opportunities for women. Anjali  wrote of Thenmozhi, "her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for others. Her success is not only a reflection of her own hard work but also of the positive impact she's making in her community."

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• Students from the WEP Madurai Academy making time for fun!