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Tamil Nadu Foundation · Est. 1974

Rural classrooms
and working looms —
changed by hand.

The Pittsburgh Chapter sponsors three government high schools across Tamil Nadu, and now backs a nine-month garment-training program giving 60 women in Ariyalur a trade of their own.

See the Ariyalur project Donate now
Tailoring unit at a TNF center
Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu60 women training in garment design & production with ATDC
ABC Project — Achieve · Boost · Champion

Three schools, three districts

The Pittsburgh Chapter directly sponsors one government high school in each of these districts, supporting infrastructure, resources, and student welfare year-round.

Sivagangai District

Government High School, Melanettoor

One of our longest-running partner schools, supported since the Chapter's early ABC Project years.

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Tirupur District

Government High School, Rakkiapalayam

Serving students in Tamil Nadu's textile heartland — a fitting neighbor to our new Ariyalur project.

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Ariyalur District

Government High School, Ayyappanayakkanpettai

Our newest sponsored school — in the same district where the Women's Empowerment Project now operates.

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Two schools, Led by our Advisors

The Pittsburgh Chapter’s own Advisory Board members sponsor one government high school in each of these districts. Through this initiative, they provide year-round support for school infrastructure, educational resources, and student welfare.

Ariyalur District

Government Higher Secondary School, Melanikuzhi

Sponsored by Dr. Murugan Kannan, Past President of TNF and a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter Advisory Board, has supported this school since the early years of its ABC Project.

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Thanjavur District

Bhanadurai Higher Secondary School, Kumbakonam

Sponsored by Dr. Ravi Balu, Past Board Member of TNF and a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter Advisory Board, this school holds special significance as the school where his grandparents studied.

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New Initiative — Launched 2026

The Women's Empowerment Project, Ariyalur

A skills-to-livelihood program built with the Apparel Training & Design Center (ATDC), a nodal agency of India's Ministry of Textiles.

60 women from underserved communities in Ariyalur are being trained over nine months in garment design and production — hands-on instruction from a nationally recognized textile authority, not a short workshop.

The goal reaches past the certificate. Training is structured so graduates can start small-scale garment businesses of their own, turning a marketable skill into a livelihood that supports their families long after the program ends.

Delivered in partnership with ATDC — Apparel Training & Design Center, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Mo. 1–2

Foundation training

Pattern-making, machine operation, and garment construction basics.

Mo. 3–7

Applied production

Design and production practice on live garment orders.

Mo. 8–9

Certification & business setup

ATDC certification, plus guidance on starting a small-scale enterprise.

60
women enrolled from underserved Ariyalur communities
9
months of structured training
1
national training partner — ATDC
3
districts where the Chapter is now active
Support this project
2011
ABC Project began in Sivagangai
5
schools currently sponsored
2026
Women's Empowerment Project launched
60
women in the first Ariyalur cohort
Pittsburgh downtown skyline at night along the river
Chapter Story

One of TNF's senior chapters

The Pittsburgh TNF Chapter, one of TNF’s oldest chapters in Western Pennsylvania, has long promoted fellowship, community service, and charitable initiatives. The chapter has actively supported regional fundraising and volunteer efforts, strengthening TNF’s presence and mission in the community. A proud milestone was hosting the successful TNF National Convention in 2008, reflecting the chapter’s leadership, dedication, and hospitality.

Read the full story
ABC Project video thumbnail
ABC Project

Watch Our ABC Project​

The initial focus of the project was to enable grade level proficiency for underprivileged rural students who otherwise will become school dropouts. Based on the positive feedback on the pilot, ABC project’s scope was expanded to benefit all students, ranging from academically challenged to highly ambitious, in TNF adopted schools. As of 2017, ABC projects are operational in 50 government or government aided schools across 10 districts in Tamil Nadu and has enriched more than 50,000 students.

The 3 core components of the ABC initiative are:

A – Achieving grade level proficiency
B – Boosting the morale
C – Championing for higher aspirations

Read more