Madurai is one of India's oldest cities and also one of its liveliest. It has been a centre of learning for centuries. At the heart of the city lies the famous Sri Meenaskshi temple, a wonderful example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams covered in a profusion of richly-coloured images of gods, godesses and mythical figures.

The centre of Madurai is crammed with shops, street markets, restaurants and small industries. The streets are busy with pilgrims, business-people, rickshaws and bullock carts. Amid this bustle are to be found the human problems associated with the urban poverty that have affected so many of India's cities. In recent years Maduria has swollen to a huge city of over a million people. Many of these people have arrived from the rural villages, a flight exacerbated by the crop failures caused by unpredictable monsoons.

Cities like Madurai promise an alleviation to rural poverty and some people manage to make a living and raise their standard of living by finding work. However, not all are so lucky and many find that their rural poverty is substituted by urban poverty. This urban poverty is often accompanied by an alienation from traditional family and caste support, and has the attendant risks of violence, exploitation and alcoholism. For poor families, the expectations which accompany the pervasive dowry system mean that young female children are often viewed as a financial liability. High rates of female infanticide and the abandonment of young female children constitute the dark side of this colourful city.

The children's home at the Russ Foundation makes its small contribution to the alleviation of this problem. The village of Chathirathondamanpathi is situated approximately twenty miles north of the city of Madurai, just off the road to Natham. The population of the village is approximately two hundred and fifty people. Though unique in its own way, with an average income which is probably lower than other rural villages, the village of Chatirathondamanpatti is in other respects similar to many other villages in Tamil Nadu. The village has electricity, but is served by only one well. Most of the villagers are employed in working the local fields, whilst others tend herds of goats on the surrounding scrubland.

The traditional occupational craft in the region around Chathirathondamanpatti was weaving, but this has fallen into decline with the rise of mass production in the cities. Young girls tend not to benefit from education or training. Instead they are expected to take on domestic and child-helping duties from a very early age.

The training workshops established by Russ Foundation aim to revive the skills of the area and provide some craft employment for local women. Chathirathondamanpatti is a fairly remote village which suffers from poor transport and a lack of local facilities and community organisation. Again, Russ Foundation aims to alleviate some of the problems which result from isolation and community neglect through it its Community Action Programme.