Vinodini Sudhindran

ANEW, a non-government organisation based in Chennai, has been giving underprivileged, under-skilled women an opportunity to train and find placement in non-traditional areas such as Nursing, Computer Skills, Driving and Vision Care and, to transform not only their own lives but those of their families too. Started in 1997, ANEW is run by a group of ladies who are passionate about empowering economically and socially underprivileged women and giving them hope for a better future. Change, modify or course correct – ANEW does whatever it takes to stay relevant in this fast- changing world. What's 'Non-traditional' - At ANEW, we reach out to the economically weaker section of society. Parents of our candidates are house workers (maid/servants), painters, coolies, drivers, vendors etc. From their social background, women have never taken up work outside of the "traditional"! As our target group is women who have basic education but no one to guide them, we have found that guidance & a little assistance helps them go beyond the traditional careers of their families! At ANEW, courses are run to suit the educational level and aspiration of each trainee... Our courses include-  1. Home nursing – a growing need in today’s society…..to take care of the elderly / sick people / children- (min qualification 8th std) 2. Computers - they have ABSOLUTELY NO exposure to the skill but this basic knowledge is necessary everywhere today - (currently the course is mostly for graduates) 3.Car/ Auto Driving – we are trying to break the barriers here… (A trainee, from one of our earliest batches, is now an ambulance driver at the Government hospital !!) Our firm belief is – Educating a woman (overall…not just books !!), empowers her family. She will be a better wife, mother and a home maker too, aware of the need to educate her children for a better tomorrow! ANEW inspires them to make use of their education to find employment & sustain in 'non-traditional' careers!