BALWADI:

There are 14 Balwadi centers functioning under TMSSS. These centres serve as helping hand to mothers who are all finding difficult to take care of their babies bringing them up to their pre occupation like vendors, there are 487 children with 259 girls and 228 boys getting educated. In these, 14 teachers are extending their services by teaching and motivating children to attain and learn good habits. The following are the centers functioning in different areas:

CHILD LABOUR SPECIAL SCHOOL:

The Child Labour Special School was initiated by TMSSS in the year1999. There are 5 Child Labour Special Schools with a total strength of 229. These schools were started with the sole aim of complete eradication of child labour in the tender age and the concentration only on academic sphere. This has shown promising result and children learn concentrating on studies with much interest. Each centre is provided with services of two teachers. In addition there is 1 teacher to impart training in preparing handy crafts like baskets, bags etc..to the children. The children are given free noon meals, text books, exercise note books etc. School starts at 9 am and ends at 5 pm. These schools are supported by Government of Tamil Nadu through the Child labour elimination project office at Kovilpatti.

CRECHE:

Crèche program was started in the year 1991, with the intention of 5 crèches that have been maintained with the support of Tamilnadu Social Welfare Board - Chennai. There are altogether 125 babies in all the 5 crèches located at various stations.
The service of a trained teacher and an assistant is utilized in each center. Babies are dropped at the crèche at 9 am and picked up at 4 pm. The babies are taught small stories, rhymes and simple arithmetic. The children are provided noon-meals and heath care at free of cost. Following are the details:

FAMILY UNIT:

This cottage, established for the welfare of the orphans, is situated in Tuticorin. This cottage project is sponsored by Andheri Hilfe. At present there are 6 members, a boy and 5 girls. These members are brought up in a normal life family environment so that bondage is created among the members of the unit. This system enables them erase from their minds the feelings of being orphans. They all grow as members of one family.

STREET CHILDREN PROGRAM:

Poverty and breakdown of families have left millions of children displaced or forced to fend for themselves on the street where they are vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Children are the victims of a wide range of human rights abuses. They are deprived of education, entertainment, adequate food, shelter, love and care.

The children's working environment endangers their health and mental growth and leads to their exploitation. There is a genuine need for protecting and promoting the rights and interests of children. TMSSS has mandate to safeguard the rights of children in a special way. The children are identified during the regular visits of the community organizers and brought to the center called "Muthukuvial" They are motivated to open themselves and they are given counseling by social workers. Children are also provided by literacy skills.

The coordinator and community organizers play a key role in rehabilitating the disadvantaged children. When the boys stay at the center, the coordinators help to open themselves and reveal their true stories and learn their needs and expectations.

OBSERVATION HOME:

TMSSS is running an Observation Home at Mutthukuvial Building for Juvenile delinquents under the supervision of Department of Social Defence, since 1998.There are 5 Directors on the juvenile Board from this observation home. The juvenile welfare board consists on one chairman and four members. The members convene the meeting once in a month. During this meeting status of delinquents and necessary resolution to relieve the delinquents from the home is discussed as per the orders of superintendent of juvenile Home, Madurai.

In this home childrens are admitted with various problems. They are;
a) Neglected by parents
b) Disobedience in family
c) Involved in anti-social elements, etc.

They have been admitted in the home as per the order of Juvenile welfare board and kept at home till the enquiry period is over. Those children who are involved in anti-social activities are charge sheeted by the police and produced in the court. After receiving the judicial order, they are admitted in the home with proper vigilant and care. These children are released after obtaining anticipatory bail from the court.

The children from other Districts or State are enquired thoroughly by the Juvenile welfare Board and they take necessary arguments to handover the children to their respective parents. Children who are interested to continue their education are sent to Government Juvenile Home for education and later surrendered to their parents.

Following are the number of delinquents admitted and relieved in the period 2004-2005:

CHILD ADOPTION PROGRMME:

This is a newly launched programme. Under this, the children who are living below the poverty line, are selected and given financial support to continue their education without difficulty. At present, 116 children have been selected under this programme

ORPHANS:

People wear new dress on festivals. It gives people joy and happiness. But all are not afford to wear new dresses. Buying new dresses is a distant dream for the poor especially the orphan children. Fortunately, the dreams are realized through the generous contribution of well-wishers. Thanks to donors "Apostolic Works" and "Benedicktioner Missionaire Uznach" for their timely grant to present the Christmas gifts to the orphans. There are 26 mercy Homes in the Diocese. All the inmates benefited out of it.