Dalit Freedom and Holistic Transformation: Anticipated Results from Every DEC
 An Educated Class of Dalit Children: Yearly, at least 50 new Dalit children enter each DEC to begin their English education. After children complete a primary-level education, DEC staff members help students move into higher-level English schools in nearby communities. Ensuring that Dalit children finish their education is one key to producing durable life change.
Education-Based Transformation among the Entire Dalit Community: Through education, the AICC, DFN and OMCC anticipate giving Dalits the prospect of securing gainful employment to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. In addition, by being educated in the framework of a Christian value system, Dalit children can claim the basic human rights their community deserves. Eventually, the first 1,000 Centers will allow the lives of approximately 500,000 children to experience transformation each year with quality English education.
After nearly five full academic years, the Dalit Education Centers have already made positive steps toward transforming the Dalit communities in which they are located. Most DECs have community-based activities for both children and adults of all ages. Such activities include the following:
Self-Help Groups: These groups offer vocational training, micro-enterprise projects, financial savings plans and micro-loans to women in the community. Twenty-four DEC schools have started self-help groups in their area and there are now more than 200 groups including thousands of members and positively affecting the lives of even more families. Other DECs are doing survey work for future groups. These groups garner overwhelmingly positive feedback from the communities in which they are located, as well as the state governments. The groups enhance the relationship the DEC staff members have with local residents by building a sense of trust.
Medical Assistance: The DEC schools offer several kinds of medical assistance to both children and adults in the local area. Three schools run full time clinics in conjunction with the DEC schools. Nineteen schools have been visited by a Dalit Freedom Network international medical camp, while several other schools have held smaller camps with local doctors. All the schools offer medical checkups on a regular basis for all students. Two schools have started pilot projects with Village Healthcare Workers through the DFN Healthcare initiative. These professionally trained VHWs live in the village and are the first point for both curative and preventative health needs. This program of VHWs should expand dramatically.
Literacy Classes: In addition to the education offered to children, DEC staff members also offer literacy classes for adults on weekends. More than two dozen schools have literacy programs. This is an excellent way to help generally unschooled parents gain academic knowledge. Literacy classes also help the DEC staff members get to know local adults personally and spiritually as they spend so much time together learning to read and write.
Women’s Empowerment Meetings: These meetings, held several times a year by more than half of the DEC schools, help local women learn about their human rights and how to cope with difficult family situations like abuse and poverty. Each DEC team brings local attorneys to speak to the women and encourages them to stand up for their rights. The DEC teams know that this awareness will help curb domestic violence and other gender-related problems plaguing local residents.
Computer Classes: Eight DECs hold computer-training classes for teenagers and adults. The goal of the computer classes is to train local people in basic computer skills so they can get a job in word processing, graphic design, or as a secretary or typist. These are reliable jobs available for both men and women that pay a decent wage, thereby bringing almost immediate help and transformation to Dalit families. Those with advanced computer skills can take loans to buy computer equipment and set up their own desktop publishing shop.
Tailoring Class: A very effective means of vocational training and economic empowerment are the schools’ Tailoring Classes. The Indian economy is dependent upon tailors to make clothing for the average person. Therefore, tailors are in high demand and local villagers can support a family adequately by learning this useful skill. Seventeen DEC schools run tailoring programs. Each batch of 25 students per tailoring class graduates after six months of training. Most are given sewing machines as a graduation gift and can therefore begin their new career immediately.
House Visitation: Outside the classroom all DEC staff members make it a priority to visit the students and their parents in their homes. They develop friendships with local residents and are usually able to build a strong trust with each family. Families look to the DEC staff members for emotional counseling and professional advice. The DEC staff members become an intimate part of each community.
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