St Antony’s Nursing College has been running a 3 year diploma course and has now introduced an additional 4 year degree course. As a result, the college has blossomed into a vibrant centre with 180 full-time students.

St Antony’s previously focused on supporting girls from particularly poor backgrounds, but the new degree course has attracted some more wealthy students and the atmosphere is quite different. On previous visits the girls were quite shy and quiet, but this time we were greeted by cheers and encouraged to dance Zumba with them!

It was lovely to meet 3 ex-students who had been personally sponsored and had come back to meet us. All had good jobs in Coimbatore, a nearby city, and were grateful for the support which had taken them out of a poor life in a fishing village and given them an excellent career. 


It was particularly wonderful to meet Shaniya Blessy. Her mother and father died within 8 months of each other. A distant relative had taken her in, but as she had no future, was looking to sell her into prostitution. She is the most delightful, happy girl who is loving life at the college. She was a joy to meet and it was so good to know that a job will be waiting for her in 2 years’ time as a qualified nurse. Her future is secure and she will be able to enjoy an independent and fulfilling life.