Navathirupathi facelift, courtesy SST.

The changes are impressive and are evident in all the 200 villages that are clean, green and have basic infrastructure and amenities. The various projects undertaken in terms of economic development, health and family welfare, education, environment and conservation, infrastructure speak volume of the SST services, initiated as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility. Poor welfare “I was a poor housewife and my husband being a coolie worker was struggling to feed a family of 5 on his paltry income. With SST’s guidance, I joined Sakthi Vinayagar Self-Help Group. Over a short period of time, I was able to make a profit of `3,500 per month. I was able to admit my three daughters in engineering courses,” said 45-year old N Bhagavathy of Perungulam village. Health Aniyaparanallur is a small village panchayat in the Sr ivaikundam Block, Thoothukudi district with a population of about 2,500 people from 300 families. SST promoted a watershed development project in 2007-08. A survey revealed that about 5% of the people suffered from kidney stone. SST, through detailed analysis, found that it was due to the drinking water that contained high level of turbidity and iron. The Trust took the issue to the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board, which in turn sanctioned a special plan to bring clean water from the nearby village at a cost of `7.50 lakhs. Sanitation Says S Marimuthu, President,Village Water Shed Committee: “Thakker Higher Secondary School in Pannaivilai had no proper toilet facilities. When the school approached SST for help, the Trust, along with PTA, contributed funds and constructed separate boys and girls’ toilet. Now the place is clean and tidy. ”Farming techniques S Senthurpandi of Kamarajar Farmers Club, Melamangalakurichi village, owns 5 acres of banana plantation. On the advice of SST, he took up inter-cropping of vegetable and cash crop like black gram, in one acre of banana plantation and reaped a profit of `14,000. Now he has grown black gram in all his 5 acres. Breaking caste barriers Padmanaba Mangalam, once a black spot village now cherishes a peaceful and prosperous life, thanks to the SST’s initiative in conducting the school annual day function of the village that broke the caste barriers. “SST’s intervention has changed the colour of our village and today, we live in harmony,” said C Vaikundam,Vice- President, Padmanaba Mangalam Panchayat. Change is not easy to bring about and it has taken years of hard work and dedication to win the hearts and minds of the people and make them partners in progress. SST’s success has been due to its financial integrity, long-term commitment and its professional approach to social work. By applying quality management methods, SST has been able to achieve tangible results that are measured against national and the UN Millennium Development Goals.