Father Jim McCartney |
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The T.H.O.M.A.S. project in India is based in Pangloli in a mountainous region of Lonavala in the state of Maharashta. The village is situated near a forest, which is the main source of livelihood for the people living in the area. Due to the monsoons and the terrain the area is not very suitable for agriculture and this causes problems for the people. The village has a population of over one thousand people. | ![]() |
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![]() People owning land outside the village currently are harassing the villagers. The road leading from the village to the forests and the city have been blocked. This causes extreme inconvenience to the villagers as it directly affects their livelihood. Another problem is that the government does not recognise them as a tribal community as they have no legal documents as proof of their existence. Hence they are deprived of the facilities and provisions made by the government for the development of tribal communities in India. One of the major problems in the village is a high incidence of alcohol consumption. 90% of its male and 60% of its female population are alcoholics. Many of its young people turn to drink out of boredom, lack of employment and frustration. The people have an affinity with the local brew. It is within this environment that T.H.O.M.A.S. will support an education preventive programme that looks at early intervention that will comprise of the following: Reflection of socio-economic situation Preventive programme focusing on the dangers of alcohol Empowerment Education programme Vocational training The above is aimed not only at educating people about the dangers of alcohol but it also gives them a programme of education and training that can show them how they can occupy their time in a different way. This programme is in its early stages. Initially, the emphasis is on making contact with the local people. T.H.O.M.A.S. has already financed a motorbike for a project worker to access the village. |
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