Thangam
“It is a gift for me to work with under-privileged children”
Thangam, TdH-NL Project Officer
Q: Thangam, can you explain your work at TdH NL here in India?
My job consists in evaluating new requests for support, monitoring the on-going projects and evaluating their impact on improving the lives of deprived children. For every new project with new partners, we put considerable effort in checking that the organization and the people working there are credible. In total 143 partners have been screened, 43 only were selected to conduct projects with us. It is crucial that legally, financially and professionally they fit the standards set by TdH-NL. As for the projects we support, we want to support long-term sustainable projects and we stay closely involved. By acting as consultants for the partner NGO’s and by making recommendations, we help them get real impact on the children, their families and their communities.
Q: With your work, you help the poorest people among the poor, why did you take this decision?
I am an agricultural engineer and entered the charity domain as an irrigation management consultant. At that time the focus was on farming women. My interest and expertise developed then to woman development through micro-credit and from there extended to child development. This work gives me high satisfaction, this is a gift.
Q: Are there some difficult moments, moments where you doubt?
Working in projects in the field is not always easy. I saw people rolling on the floor, I saw young girls forced to prostitute themselves, I saw teenagers with the mental development of 5 year old children. It is very emotional. At the same time, we need to be strong and not let the emotions hamper the way we work. From a physical point of view, it is tiring as well, as a lot of traveling is bound to the job. But at the moment I am on the field and I meet the children, I see the impact and I am fully re-energized!
Q: Which changes would you like to see?
I hope that all the children who benefit in one of our projects will be good citizen, have a work and give similar support to the under-privileged in their own environment. In this case, our impact will be multiplied!
Q: Tell us a bit more about yourself
I am from a very humble background, and I am proud to say that now I am in a good position professionally. I can support my family, my village. I have grown a lot and I feel that with this experience I can face every type of situation. And I am very lucky to have huge support from my wife.