Transforming lives of Next Generation
We inspire the next generation with the achievements of our children of today
B. Sharmila is visually impaired. That would be enough to stop most people. Yet, after listening about others going to school and working, encouragement from church members and the support from STF, she decided to pursue her studies. Her decision was vindicated when she received an outstanding student’s award in her 2nd year B.A. History. Having completed her B.A and her B.Ed, she is now looking for a job as a teacher.
J. Divya completed BE Computer Science in Anna University Engineering College at Kumbakonam. She was selected by Wipro Technology through campus interview and she is at present working in UK.
John Douglas P. completed his B.Com in Loyola and CMA from The Institute of Cost Accountants of India. He is at present working in Chennai Petroleum Corporation limited (A Group of Indian Oil) as “Assistant Manager – Finance”.
Our Causes
Education
The Sugun Thomas Foundation (STF) has a very rigorous and proven process that supports deserving students who are under-privileged in terms of economic status and yet have a passion to learn and excel in life.
With our rigorous selection process led by members of the Selection Committee, we screen candidates who are motivated to study and lift themselves out of their poverty stricken lives. Our students realise that their only weapon to change the world is through Education.
Our selection process also includes meeting the family of the child and assessing if they psychologically support the education of their child. After selection, we support the scholars with multiple education scholarships in different fields of their choice. Our scholarships support students in their higher studies, cost of books, vocational skills, transportation, canteen fees, exam fees etc.
Once we select a child who is in the higher secondary sections in school , or in the first or second year of college , we support him/ her through their educational journey and we also help them find employment.
Upskilling
We understand that simple academic education will not help students become employable and self-reliable. We therefore, analyse our scholars’ strengths, career ambition and accordingly recommend internships, research projects or specialized tuitions to clear competitive exams.
Special focus is given to improve scholars’ communication skills, language skills, commerce skills, personality development and attitudinal training.
Specific training modules are created and based upon individual needs these are imparted by faculty who are experienced in that area
We have had the benefit of organisations like Oracle who have come forward to train entire batches of our children
Mentoring
One of our important initiatives is to assign a “Qualified Mentor” to each student throughout the time she is a part of the Foundation.
It has been our experience that the mentor-mentee relationship continue beyond that time as well
The mentoring process is completely voluntary and mentors are drawn from various walks of life. Our mentors guide students beyond education and employability. They groom our scholars to be responsible, resourceful and driven by values. Mentoring instil moral values and develops a positive perspective about life.
Employment
The ultimate success criteria that we measure on our impact is supporting our children getting employed.
Our mentors play a significant role in preparing students on how to clear group discussions, job interviews, so that they confidently find employment in their campus education. Over the years, Sugun Thomas Foundation has also built a network of well-wishers from different organisations who can help our children get employment.
Many of our students are well placed in well known Organisations like Accenture , Wipro Ford India Ltd, the Indian Postal Services, HCL, TCS , KCP, Virtusa , Cap Gemini, Sundaram Finance Ltd , MRF , Cognizant Hewlett Packard , Infosys , Heat & Control , etc. to name a few
In spite of several successes in placement , the recent years , because of economic slow down and the pandemic , has reduced placement opportunities for our children
How do we work?
We select the most appropriate child from a very large number of applications we receive
STF believes that the right amount of help for the right people at the right time truly brings changes in society. We always make sure our assistance reaches the right students. But finding the appropriate person is not always easy. So we follow a series of steps to discover them.
- We identify the most needy students from our partner schools. Principals and staff are key to this . We also get applications from other NGOs or community organisations We interview the shortlisted students.
- We select the students.
- One or more STF Council members visit the home of selected students.
- We assess the general level of economic standards of the child
- We speak to the parents for their commitment to education.
- Explain the conditions of the scholarships to the students and urge the child and parents to visit the STF office.
WE SPONSOR
STF supports every sponsored child until employment and sometimes even beyond
We organize extra activities of soft skills training with personality and attitudinal training to make sure our students are good at both.
Financial aid is made available up to student’s higher education and covers all sorts of expenditures needed for their growth. It includes:
- Tuition fees(School/ College)
- Exam fees
- Canteen fees
- Transportation fee
- Cost of the books
- Internship expense, if needed
- Research project funding
- Funding for extra courses(Bank exams, civil service exams, GATE training., etc.)
- We sometimes support students request for specialised technical courses as well
WE MENTOR
Good guidance is what makes a good personality. STF takes this aspect very seriously and comes with a unique process of mentoring.
We provide each student with an individual mentor who helps them through their educational phase. The mentors are senior volunteers who have had varied life experiences and are best suited to guide our students
Mentor – mentee matching is a serious activity for us since the mentor is a great influence on the student
The Mentor
- Guidance through regular contact
- The mentor helps in developing a strong personality
- Support in creating a positive attitude and values in life
- The mentor becomes a coach, a confidant and develops a strong personal bond with the student.
- Becomes a reliable friend for ever
WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT ALL CHILDREN
We care about the children! Our responsibility doesn’t end with our student’s education, and STF will provide them with the best lives they can have! The mentors and STF work together in achieving this. Our work includes:
- Assisting the students in getting a job through resume building
- Making the children ready for interviews and group discussions.
- Building networks with potential Employers who can help with employment for the students.
