Family Assistance Scheme

Established 1985

The Guild of Service Family Assistance scheme is one of our many welfare schemes that strengthen the social unit called family through the educational sponsorship of one child in the family. While the sponsored child is assisted with education, other members of the family are also given an opportunity for counselling, training, entrepreneurship and employment. The programme came about as it was noticed that even if education was free in government schools, there are other expenses that need to be borne like uniforms, school books, note-books and stationery. Many families find it difficult to meet these expenses at the beginning of the school year especially if they have more than one child and this led to many children discontinuing their studies. This sponsorship is open for all needy and deserving school children and not just students of the Guild of Service Schools.

The FAS scheme helps about 70 children who come primarily from single parent families or families with special circumstances such as illness, disability etc. Most of these children study in Govt or Govt Aided schools.  The sponsorship is given based on academic performance of the student and he/ she has to continue doing well for it to continue. An annual sponsorship of Rs. 4100/- is provided to the beneficiary each year until the child completes education and is suitably employed. The amount is credited directly into the minor child’s (minor) bank account that is jointly operated by the mother/guardian and overseen by the programme social worker. There are other one-time assistance schemes also provided to children who cannot be accommodated in our regular sponsorship programme.

The FAS programme has over the last 30 years helped over 5000 children from underprivileged backgrounds to become productive members of society. With each passing year, we have modified the scheme to make it more appropriate and beneficial to a larger group of children. Many of our children pursue higher education such as B.A, B.Sc and in some cases, Engineering too and go on to becoming successful and financially secure citizens.

Rajnikanth was supported through by the Family Assistance Scheme of the Guild of Service right through school. He joined the programme as a 9-year-old child and not just the social workers at GOS FAS but even his sponsor motivated him to study well and achieve his dreams.

He scored well in his public examinations and wanted to become a genetic engineer. He finally did B.Sc in Mathematics and followed it up with M.C.A. He got an opportunity to work in the United Kingdom and later set up his own consulting company there. After a few years he moved to the U.S.A and did his MBA from Arizona State University. He is now well settled in the USA.

Rajinikanth been paying forward the generosity he received as a student. He has been sponsoring children under the Family Assistance Scheme Program of the Guild of Service. His gesture has educated many children and we hope that they follow his footsteps and shine in their chosen fields.

Sasikala was a bright and hardworking girl who was assisted through the Family Assistance Scheme from 2006. On completing Class 12 she joined Sairam Engineering College, affiliated to Anna University.

She completed B.E. (Electronics & Communication) and got a campus placement with a leading software company.

Sasikala’s parents are construction workers with a primary school education. Her older brother completed ITI (Dip. in Civil Engineering) and works in an architect’s office. Her elder sister completed her M.B.A and works with an international bank. Sasikala’s parents have worked hard to put their children through school and higher education despite their limited means. The Family Assistance Scheme has helped them fulfil the dreams of Sasikala and her siblings.