The Vidiyal Street Children Programme
The largest part of the Vidiyal Programme focuses on supporting street children. Each day, over 300 children attend Vidiyal drop-in centres, where they receive unconditional love, medical attention, and support for their emotional and material needs. Though they continue to live with their families in slums, the children are placed in schools or colleges suited to their abilities and goals. The centres also help with homework and provide opportunities to learn skills such as dance, drama, and karate. These efforts are part of a larger commitment to healthcare, education, and life-enriching experiences for every child.
Bringing Hope to Madurai’s Vulnerable Children
An estimated 30,000 children live on the streets or in the slums of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, facing daily hardships such as rag picking, begging, and scavenging through open sewers near their homes. The entrenched caste system traps these families in cycles of poverty. NewDawn India supports the Vidiyal Programme, led by Dr. Jim Jesudoss and Dr. Sharmila, whose dedicated team tirelessly works to uplift these children and their families. ‘Vidiyal’ means ‘a new dawn’—a fitting name for a programme that offers new beginnings and renewed hope to the most vulnerable.
Every right for every child.
Empowering children
Our Vision
Everything we do is to help children break free of disadvantage and thrive.
Our Mission
We raise funds and spread the message so that the team in Madurai can work with more children, young people and families.
Stories of Lives Transformed Through Our Support
Vidiyal made me who I am am today
Palaneeswari, a first generation graduate and member of our alumni forum shares her childhood experiences in Vidiyal and describes how Vidiyal empowered her to become what she is today.
Child Rights
There is a big emphasis on Children’s Rights and many of the young people are involved in speaking at national and international conferences. Vidiyal is fighting for equality for every child regardless of caste, background or gender.
Within Vidiyal the children are taught to treat each other respect regardless of gender and girls are given the same opportunities as boys. They are all encouraged to continue with their education to as high a level as possible, according to their abilities and inclinations.
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At the 25th Child Rights Festival, children from Sirpihal, Vithaihal, and Verhal forums performed a powerful and thought-provoking dance to the song “Jai Bhim”, a stirring tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the ideals he stood for. The song celebrates equality, education, and rational thinking, calling for the creation of new generations rooted in justice and knowledge. It boldly states that Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, opened the doors to education for the oppressed and marginalized. The lyrics urge listeners to pursue science, degrees like B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D., emphasizing that Ambedkar is the reason such paths are possible for many today. Rejecting age-old hierarchies and blind faith, the song encourages rational thought and scientific learning over religious dogma. It is a call to throw away oppressive structures and to rise through knowledge and equality. The children’s performance was fierce, confident, and full of conviction, paying homage to Ambedkar’s legacy and spreading the message of self-respect, education, and equality.
Families
The support of Vidiyal and NewDawn India extends into the slum itself, offering love, care and practical help to elderly people and the families of the Vidiyal children. A tailoring centre was set up for young women who would previously have earned their living panning in the sewers. On completion of the course they have been presented with their own sewing machine so that they can provide for their families.
Meetings with mothers are held to educate them about healthcare and to allow them to discuss any concerns. More recently the meetings for fathers have been introduced, as well as father and child camps, aimed at improving family bonds.
Regular gatherings are held for the elderly when they are transported to the drop-in centre for time of song, tales from the past and even dancing. This is followed by a meal and then each elder is presented with a gift of a sari, dhoti or covering.
Families
The support of Vidiyal and NewDawn India extends into the slum itself, offering love, care and practical help to elderly people and the families of the Vidiyal children. A tailoring centre was set up for young women who would previously have earned their living panning in the sewers. On completion of the course they have been presented with their own sewing machine so that they can provide for their families.
Our latest newsletter
Child Rights
There is a big emphasis on Children’s Rights and many of the young people are involved in speaking at national and international conferences. Vidiyal is fighting for equality for every child regardless of caste, background or gender.
Within Vidiyal the children are taught to treat each other respect regardless of gender and girls are given the same opportunities as boys. They are all encouraged to continue with their education to as high a level as possible, according to their abilities and inclinations.
Child Rights
There is a big emphasis on Children’s Rights and many of the young people are involved in speaking at national and international conferences. Vidiyal is fighting for equality for every child regardless of caste, background or gender.
Within Vidiyal the children are taught to treat each other respect regardless of gender and girls are given the same opportunities as boys. They are all encouraged to continue with their education to as high a level as possible, according to their abilities and inclinations.