The focus of the 2009 Aravanigal Dinam activities is on housing. In spite of various efforts that have gone towards creating an environment conducive to them, as well as in various first-time measures taken by the Tamil Nadu Government, transgenders face various problems in their everyday life, the main issue being housing.
The theme of “Good Neighbors” this year is aimed at instilling in the minds of the people that transgenders too can be good and responsible neighbors and the plea that goes out is “Please provide us a house on rent”. The activities that are planned include:
- Community Kitchen – the transgenders are known for their culinary skill. In an effort to reach out to poor segments of society, transgenders prepared nutritious meals and adopted slums in areas where there are specifically more numbers of the Aravanis. Hundreds of poor people were served a meal cooked by the transgenders.
- Small centers of activity sprung up around these places. These included a center to provide cooking and beauty tips. (There are several transgenders who have been trained in beauty skills by the TAI project). This activity was targeted specifically at women living in these areas.
- Nutrition counseling was provided, by advising women what kind of foods can be easily prepared and will be most beneficial for their family and for their children.
- In each district, tuition centers were opened. This activity which will be regularly continued through the year.
- The Transgender folk arts group gave several performances focusing on the theme “Please give us a House on Rent”.
- This occasion was also be utilized to give thanksgiving to the government and well-wishers for the various policy level changes and decisions favoring transgenders that have been taken by them.
Several hundreds of transgenders participated in these activities across various districts.
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