The Idulgashinna Social Development Program

The social development program at Idulgashinna involves workers in all aspects of the management of the estate. This is raising the standard of living and improving education and health care. It is a radical departure from conditions on most tea estates, where there is a big gap between the management and workers, and where workers live in very basic conditions with poor access to education and health care. Today Idulgashinna is a thriving tea estate. You can read more about this inspiring project here.

Here are a few of the things that members of the Idulgashinna Social Development Committee told Tradewinds when asked about the difference the project had made in their lives:

‘I am happy about prospects for education of the children from preschool opportunities to computer training. They now have a good foundation and so I feel there will be a bright future for our children.’  Mrs Syanathaie

‘Earlier there was no child–care centre so it was hard for us to go to work. Now we can go to work and the children are well cared for.’   Mrs A Gowrie

‘There is a better environment. Before there was no drainage now there is. Housing is much better. The children and the house are clean.’   Mrs P Wijayaletchumy

‘My daughter was able to get computer education. I am confident she will get a job.’   Mrs R Sakojani

‘The children.  We never expected the children would get to this level. Now some are going to university.’
Mr S Maran

‘The culture and attitude has been changed. A major problem was alcohol. Now that has been brought down. Mental attitudes have changed and families are happier.’   Mr BPB Ponraj

‘The vast improvement in the health sector.  Families can come any time to get advice and education about prevention. We are now living in healthy houses with a healthy environment.’   Mrs WM Nirmala

‘There is now a good awareness of health systems eg TB can be caught at early stages. Everyone now knows what they should do.’  Miss TR Lalani Itnadasa

‘The relationship between the management and the workers –it is like one family.’  Miss S Nishanthi

‘I provide vocational training on the theory and practice of construction. It is completely different working here. Most of our workers come from other projects. We have been able to train workers in skills so many are happy here. They can get in as a trainee and build up their skills.  So there is much fulfilment in working here.’
Mr YJS Gnanaraj  

 
You can read more about the impact of Idulgashinna here.