Education, Communication And Development Trust (EDUCATR)
Name and Address Of The Organization
Education, Communication And Development Trust (EDUCATR)
2/5-A, Mamarathupatti Road,
Usilampatti – 625 532, Madurai District,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Chief Functionary / Legal Holder
Ln. Dr. R. Velmurugan, M.A., B.Ed., B.L., Ph.D.
Founder & Managing Trustee
Legal Status of Organization
Legal Status of the Organization:
- Type: Trust
- Registration Number: 3091/1997
- Registration Date: 15.12.1997
Tax Exempt Status:
- 12AA: TE1808NE2214 (Valid from AY 2022-23 to AY 2026-2027)
- 80G: TE108NF20214 (Valid from AY 2022-23 to AY 2026-2027)
PAN Number: AAATE1808N
FCRA Registration Number: 075940452
FCRA Renewal Status: Valid for five years effective from 01.10.2023
Contact Details
Landline / Mobile: +91 9842977797 , 04552-251406
Email : educatrindia@gmail.com
Website: http://educatrindia.org
2/5-A, Mamarathupatti Road,
Usilampatti – 625 532, Madurai District,
Tamil Nadu, India.
District / Area of Operation / Population
The Education, Communication, and Development Trust (EDUCATR) was established in 1997 by a group of socially active individuals with a primary focus on eradicating illiteracy among the rural poor. Since its inception, the organization has expanded its reach to 275 villages in the blocks of Usilampatti, Chellampatti, Sedapatti, and the Elumalai Town Panchayat in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. EDUCATR works with marginalized groups, including poor women and children, unskilled dropout youth, Dalits, persons with disabilities, HIV-affected individuals, child laborers, and other backward communities, focusing on their development and empowerment.
Founder and Managing Trustee
Ln. Dr. R. Velmurugan, M.A., B.Ed., B.L., Ph.D., has developed strong connections with beneficiaries, stakeholders, community leaders, government officials, donor agencies, social organizations, educational institutions, and like-minded NGOs. The EDUCATR initiative began with the vision of empowering rural women to actively engage in improving their children’s lives through awareness.
- Child Welfare Committee:Dr.Velmurugan served as Chairperson and Member of the Child Welfare Committee, a Judicial Body in Madurai District, Government of Tamil Nadu, from 2011 to 2021.
- Awards:Dr.Velmurugan received a Doctorate for his study on rural development in Madurai District in 2017 from Madurai Kamarajar University. He was also recognized by the International Association of Lions Clubs for over 20 years of commitment and dedication during the year 2021-2022.
Programs and Initiatives
Education
EDUCATR runs a Tamil Nadu State Government-recognized “Chakkravathy Nursery & Primary School.” Established on 5th July 1995 with 25 students, the school now educates 258 children (157 boys and 101 girls) from 5 rural panchayats and 12 villages in the Usilampatti Block. The school serves students aged 3 to 11, with a school van transporting 54 students daily. The teaching staff includes 9 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff, totaling 13 employees. The school predominantly serves children from Dalit and economically disadvantaged families, including those of single mothers, destitute women, and daily wage workers.
Women Empowerment:
EDUCATR has formed 545 women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in Usilampatti, Chellampatti, and Sedapatti blocks. The program includes training for SHG animators and representatives, SHG grading, thrift and credit programs, and microcredit for income-generating activities. This initiative is supported by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for the Development of Women Ltd.
Child Development
The organization campaigns against female infanticide, feticide, and child labor, enrolling dropout children in regular schools and providing educational support to children from poor and vulnerable families.
Online Education
EDUCATR has established a computer lab at its Nursery and Primary School to facilitate online education, supporting 288 children with educational materials and school fees. This initiative is supported by Guru Krupa Foundation, USA.
Vocational Skill
Training & Rural Entrepreneurship Development
Various vocational skill training programs, including modern dressmaking, embroidery, jute bag making, electrician courses, and domestic appliance repair, have been conducted for unskilled dropout youth, Dalit and poor women in the target area. These programs were supported by the Australian High Commission, NABARD, NYK, JSS, and Tamil Nadu Polytechnic.
Computer Literacy
A Computer Training Center has been established, training 90 rural women and girls annually in digital learning to help them secure professional jobs. EDUCATR also assists trainees in finding employment post-training with support from Tzedek, UK.
Environmental Awareness
EDUCATR has conducted National Environmental Awareness campaigns on solid waste management and biodiversity conservation, sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Additionally, popular science lecture programs on environmental sanitation were organized, sponsored by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
Supporting Women Farmers
EDUCATR supported 21 women farmers in adopting organic farming by providing training, exposure, and seed grants with support from EU CAN AID-BELGIUM.
Disabled Welfare
The organization has formed self-help groups for persons with disabilities, provided vocational skill training, and promoted inclusive education for 72 children with disabilities, supported by Stichting Bishop Bakkers Foundation, The Netherlands
COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EDUCATR provided sanitation materials and food supplies to over 280 affected families with support from The Pollination Project, USA, Tzedek, UK, EU CAN AID, Belgium, Guru Krupa Foundation, USA, and Shamdeshani Foundation, Hong Kong. The organization reached project beneficiaries, including women, children, children with disabilities, and frontline workers.