Douglas McIntyre

I am running in the Edinburgh Bartlett Marathon on 31st May and aim to take the opportunity of raising money through sponsorship to go towards the Dalit Education Centres in India via RED International as detailed below.

The Dalits of India have been the oppressed minority for more than 3000 years. Dalits are traditionally regarded as untouchables (outcastes) or of low class. The oppression is due to the Hindu caste system, an integral part of Indian society deeply imbedded in the Indian worldview. Whilst the caste system has been formally abolished under the Indian constitution, there is still widespread discrimination and prejudice against Dalits and opportunities in terms of jobs and education are much reduced for Dalits. In Hindu society, Dalit status has often been associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure and discrimination against Dalits who number about 250,000,000 people and who mainly live in rural communities is still strong.

In 2001 Dalit communi... more

I am running in the Edinburgh Bartlett Marathon on 31st May and aim to take the opportunity of raising money through sponsorship to go towards the Dalit Education Centres in India via RED International as detailed below.

The Dalits of India have been the oppressed minority for more than 3000 years. Dalits are traditionally regarded as untouchables (outcastes) or of low class. The oppression is due to the Hindu caste system, an integral part of Indian society deeply imbedded in the Indian worldview. Whilst the caste system has been formally abolished under the Indian constitution, there is still widespread discrimination and prejudice against Dalits and opportunities in terms of jobs and education are much reduced for Dalits. In Hindu society, Dalit status has often been associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure and discrimination against Dalits who number about 250,000,000 people and who mainly live in rural communities is still strong.

In 2001 Dalit community leaders invited representatives from the All India Christian Council (AICC) to provide education which will lead to Dalit empowerment in India. In response AICC members pledged to provide 1000 schools for Dalit children throughout India. OMCC, RED International's Indian Partner, has taken up this challenge and is moving toward the first goal of 100 of these schools and then onto the larger goal of 1000 schools.

The transformation has already begun. At present nearly 80 schools are up and running and the priority is to ensure each child who starts school can complete their education. Ideally, each centre will eventually cater for the educational needs of 250 to 500 children. Money provided through this sponsorship will go towards the provision not only of education but school uniforms, shoes, teacher's salary stationery costs and utility bills for the schools.