• Peyad, Thiruvananthapuram
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About

Transforming Lives of Vulnerable People for the Better

Get to know us

Welcome & support to Ether India

Ether India is committed to the upliftment of marginalized children and youth in society. Our primary focus is on the welfare of children in childcare institutions, children from tribal areas, visually impaired children, and youth.

Orphans and Other Children in Institution

There are over 72 registered Child Care Institutions (CCIs) housing more than 3000 vulnerable children, including orphans, abandoned children, destitute children, those living in extreme poverty, and victims of abuse. Before seeking refuge in these shelter homes, many of these children were engaged in child labour, begging, or involved with delinquent groups or found wandering around railway stations. Unfortunately, society often perceives their admission to shelter homes or correctional facilities as the end of their plight. These children face numerous challenges, including poor academic performance, low motivation levels, and a lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills due to a lack of formal education before entering the care homes. Furthermore, they often have limited aspirations for a promising career and a bright future.

Visually Impaired Children and Youth

While visually impaired individuals in India have access to tools such as white canes, phones, and screen readers, they still face numerous challenges in their daily lives. Limited accessibility, inadequate education and employment opportunities, stigma and discrimination, insufficient support services, and inadequate healthcare are among the major hurdles they encounter. "Taare Zameen Par" is Ether India's project aimed at empowering visually impaired individuals and integrating them into mainstream society. We believe that children are stars on earth with diverse talents, and with proper guidance and training, they can contribute significantly to the future. Many visually impaired individuals have proven time and again that assuming responsibility is not an insurmountable task. "Taare Zameen Par" serves as a stepping stone for children and youth with disabilities to pursue their dreams. The project's key pillars are mobility, accessibility, and responsibility, and participants receive training in life skills, financial literacy, science experiments, sports, and the arts.

Children in Tribal Settlement

In April 2018, Ether India collaborated with Our Responsibility to Children (ORC) to provide a three-day life skills training program for students at the Government Tribal School in Idinjar, Peringamala. Initially introverted, the students became more open and actively participated in subsequent sessions. However, during a follow-up visit, it was evident that these children quickly retreated into their shells. Upon interacting with the school teachers and counselors, it became apparent that the lack of guidance and support from their families hindered their progress. The school also faced similar challenges, as efforts invested by the teachers during the weekdays seemed to go to waste over the weekends. Unfortunately, many of these students have modest goals in life due to limited exposure to the outside world and insufficient guidance from their families. Unemployment among men is prevalent, while women primarily work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Program. Additionally, alcohol and substance addiction among men and low mental health contribute to an increased suicide rate.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for marginalized children and youth.

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Life skills training

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Received scholarships and sponsorships

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Active members working towards breaking the barriers of blindness

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Health and hygiene programs reach

Our Testimonials

What they’re talking about us?

Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala

Dr. R Bindhu

"I feel very privileged to be able to inaugurate the Shopping Festival for the Visually Impaired, jointly organized by Lulu Mall and Ether India. All the best to this group for giving these kids an opportunity to see, hear, touch, and buy things they love at Lulu Mall."

Former Director of the Department of Women and Child, Kerala

Anupama TV IAS

"During the challenging lockdown period, Ether India took an inspiring initiative to restore joy and reduce mental stress among children in childcare institutions. It is heartening to see the efforts made by Ether India in conducting an online youth festival, and exploring the possibilities of Google Meet to the maximum. Children from around twenty-five childcare institutions participated in this innovative festival, showcasing their talents and engaging in meaningful activities. This initiative not only provided a platform for children to express themselves but also helped in maintaining their mental well-being during such unprecedented times. Ether India's dedication to the welfare of underprivileged children is commendable, and their creative approach to overcoming obstacles sets a remarkable example for others to follow."

District Child Protection Officer, Trivandrum

Chilthralekha

"Ether India has been doing such commendable activities for CNCP children since 2018. Some of the project’s worth mentioning are Edu Saathi, HomeFrames, Code and Conquer, FunLingua, and Click and Blink with CCI. Every project done by Ether India is very different from other NGOs. Ether India designs projects as per the needs of the children, ensuring that each initiative is tailored to address specific challenges and opportunities. Their dedication and innovative approach have significantly impacted the lives of many underprivileged children, providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive."

Former District Collector Trivandrum

Navjot Khosa IAS

The Code and Conquer project, providing coding training to children in collaboration with Ether India and Technopark, is highly commendable. Through this initiative, children in Child Care Institutions will be able to get a closer look at Technopark and learn about job opportunities in the IT sector. Moreover, if at least one person can secure a job in the IT field, it will serve as an inspiration to other children living in such homes."

General Manager at Lulu Mall, Trivandrum

Shereef KK

"Trivandrum Lulu Mall was able to collaborate in the Taare Zameen Par project by partnering with Ether India. Their contribution to one of our activities called Artarium is immense. It is great to see this NGO coming forward with different ideas in the field of the visually impaired. We are eager to continue our partnership and look forward to doing more innovative things with this inspiring group."

Managing Director at FAYA

Deepu S Nath

"We have witnessed remarkable work by Ether India in uplifting the underprivileged. We are proud to collaborate with them as a community partner of Technopark GTECH. Through the μLearn initiative of Technopark GTECH, we provide training support to Ether India, furthering our shared mission of empowerment and education for all."

Indian actor, director, and screenwriter in Malayalam cinema

Madhupal

"I participated and spoke to the artists in a theater workshop called 3B Frames, organized by Ether India for the visually impaired. May the work done by Ether India and Apt Performance and Research succeed in bringing such talented individuals forward in the field of acting, beyond their visual limitations. All the very best."