Every year in Tamil Nadu, the month of May brings long school holidays. While exciting at first, many children — especially younger ones in rural areas — soon find themselves with little to do. To address this, FIN (Friends In Need) organised its annual May Camp for Children, now in its fifth successful year.
A Milestone Year: Two Villages, One VisionThis year was particularly significant. For the first time, the camp ran simultaneously in two villages — Kameswaram and Vilundamavadi — doubling its reach and impact. The environmental and behavioural learning components were developed by Professor Shyama V. Ramani together with FIN staff, and she continues to take a keen personal interest in the programme.
Participation and Reach
In Kameswaram, around 44 children were registered, with approximately 8 returning every week — a testament to how much they valued the experience. The average age was around 10.5 years, with most participants between 9 and 12.
In Vilundamavadi, around 55 children took part, many attending repeatedly throughout the camp. The main age group here was between 10 and 13 years.
Together, both centres saw sustained, enthusiastic participation — a clear sign that the programme meets a real need in these communities.
What the Children Did
Each day began with meditation, helping children develop calmness and concentration before the day’s activities.
In Kameswaram, the programme included:
• Spoken English classes
• Handwork and handicrafts — including pencil boxes and decorative items
• Environmental awareness sessions covering rainwater harvesting, toilet hygiene, biodegradable waste management, and proper garbage disposal
The goal was not just to inform, but to inspire behavioural change — helping children understand why rubbish belongs in dustbins, why open defecation should be avoided, and why rainwater conservation matters even in small villages.
In Vilundamavadi, spoken English was replaced with games and interactive activities, which proved especially popular. Each week brought new handicrafts — decorative plant holders, upcycled plastic waste creations, mobile phone boxes, flower pots, and other handmade items. Children were also trained in dance, singing, and ball games, and educated about the dangers of plastic waste — particularly the harm caused by dumping plastic into the sea — through colourful awareness posters created by the FIN team.
A special thank you to Jaya Nursery School for generously hosting the Vilundamavadi camp.
More Than a Holiday Programme
The FIN May Camp is proof that simple, community-rooted initiatives can offer rural children something genuinely valuable: a space for creativity, friendship, learning, and growing confidence during the summer break.
By engaging children consistently over several weeks — rather than as a one-off event — the camp also strengthens community bonds and builds momentum for ongoing educational and social activities throughout the year.
