CHENNAI : Sathyavani Muthu Nagar, an urban slum near Pallavan Salai, is showing unmistakable signs of a community coming out of socio-economic shackles.

A tailoring unit, started by women and girls, is now confident enough to take export orders and four women, who are repaying loans taken for the autorickshaws provided to them, will soon own the vehicles. The children here learn English during off-school hours while the blackboard mounted on the wall is quickly running out of space to record the achievements of SSLC students in the colony.

What was until recently one of the typical urban slums, routinely assessed by socio-economic surveys for indices of poverty and unemployment, has turned a shining example of women's empowerment through self-help group and micro-credit initiatives, thanks to the efforts of Frenchman and NGO activist Philip Malett.

Friend, mentor, guarantor... several roles coalesce in this south France native as far as the dwellers of Sathyavani Muthu Nagar are concerned.

Philip founded SPEED (Slum People Education and Economic Development) Trust to raise the quality of life in this urban slum. Most importantly, he has taught them to dare to dream big.

``Ours is not an act of charity. We would rather teach a man to fish and gain a livelihood than give him money to buy fish for one square meal'', said Mr. Philip, whose wife Denice hails from Puducherry. In other words, SPEED Trust taps innate potential and provides a market to help people find their feet.

Recently, the NGO launched `Varnajalam', a showroom for a range of products made by the women in the community. The wares ranged from handbags and trinkets to dress materials. And a combination of quality, variety in design and pricing lured visitors on Day One into a shopping binge. Visitors included Local Administration Minister M. K. Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi and wife.

Supporting the SPEED Trust cause are organisations such as Baladarshan and the Fair Trade Federation.

For the beneficiaries in the slum, the turnaround in their lives has been dramatic. In the case of Thenmozhi, who moves about in a wheelchair after an accident a few years ago, it has been a `hand-helped journey from darkness to light'.

What is most striking among the women members of the community is not just the realisation of their right to a better life but their willingness to work hard for that. Months ago, when a bed-ridden Thenmozhi was asked how much she would need for treatment, the girl would rather know from the bedside aide and volunteer how many baskets she could weave in a day. "Those who engage her in a pep talk often walk away, inspired themselves," a SPEED Trust volunteer remarked.

Revathy, partially blind, also symbolises triumph of will. The cane baskets she makes are fetching good income these days.

There is more to be done, according to Mr. Philip, who has brought his experience of having worked with French NGO SPF (Secours Populaire Francais) to bear on the uplifting process at Sathyavani Muthu Nagar.

``Hopefully, the colony will have its first MBBS students this year,'' he said. The aspiration echoes the community's willingness to keep raising the bar.

SPEED Trust can be contacted at 64572188.

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