Buds Network

From 2007 to 2010, Blossom ran a project to support the children in the community: the Care and Support Project. Its idea was to form a group for children living with and affected by HIV/AIDs and other children, to reduce the stigma/discrimination and to build support among themselves. 

The project ended in 2010, however Blossom continued its support and has strengthened and expanded the Buds Network until 2016. It is now a network of children’s clubs, education centers which include all disadvantaged children within the community. 

The Buds centers help to motivate the children in education and counsel both the parents and teachers to ensure this is carried through.

These ‘after school’ networks focus on academic education and life skill development. The centers have continued the “Re1 scheme” where children are encouraged and driven to save Rs. 1 a day. They are shown the beneficial outcome by allowing them to buy educational materials so they can see the rewards. There were 13 education centers functioning in Virudhunagar, Madurai and Kanchipuram districts. Three Buds centers are now supported by IDF in Mumbai and renamed as ‘Bal Gurukul’ centers.

Project duration: 2007-2016