Urban Slums and Youth 
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The youth in the slums have a long way to go to catch up with their counter parts elsewhere. In most cases they are misguided and misdirected. Not being very ambitious, they seem satisfied with basic necessities of life. Part time jobs, support from the women folk in the family and an easy life are what many of them look for.

MCDS and Youth:

The youth of Chennai slums have always been a major concern of MCDS. It has been found that the easiest way to reach out to them is by forming groups of young people with common interest. Hundreds of young people, both boys and girls, go through the following programmes:

	Orientation Trainings
	Counseling and Guidance
	Games and sports, physical fitness and competitions
	Leadership training programmes
	Training in First Aid
	Family life education
	Social awareness on HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, drug addiction, legal and consumer rights, voter awareness etc.

Most of these programmes have been introduced with a view to keep young people off anti-social elements and their influence.


Formal and Non - Formal Vocational Training:

Trainee programme designed are such that they benefit both with qualifications as well as those without.

Vocational Training:

Job oriented vocational courses, organized in partnership with other Non-Government organization are:

	Two - wheeler mechanism
	Basic electrical and electronics
	Welding and Fabrication
	Four - wheeler driving
	Tailoring and Embroidery
	Computer courses
	Sales boys and girls training
	Music (for visually challenged)
	Telephone operator course (for visually challenged)

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Montfort Open School:

In order to help boys and girls who have either dropped out of schools or failed in their examinations, MCDS has initiated a programme called, “MONTFORT OPEN SCHOOL”.

This facility, also located at the coastal slums, identifies suitable candidates and after proper counseling and motivation, prepare them to appear for Government examination as private candidates. As and when needed, subject teachers are inducted into this programme from the neighbouring schools. It is heartening to note that most of the candidates have done extremely well in the examination that they have appeared in.