About the Organisation: The school is set in 10 acres of grounds, and class rooms are a network of individual 'cottages' spread across this land, with huge amounts of space, greenery and play areas for the children. It is an incredible environment - peaceful, safe and a far cry from many other city schools in India.
This school is now the headquarters of this century old society which is greatly respected in
Chennai. The medium of instruction here is Tamil (this being the language of
Chennai), although English is encouraged throughout and many of the children of all ages can communicate fairly well in English.
There are also units within its grounds providing medical care, a crèche, training and other services to some of the city's poorest women and children. The school is open from 9am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, with extra curricular activities taking place on alternate Saturdays.
The society's reach, work and membership however go beyond
Chennai. Its work is international and includes education and training, healing, animal welfare work, free medical care, visiting the sick and forming peace groups.
Who they are: This century-old society works hard through all its activities to promote peace and to help disadvantaged human beings all over the world. The philosophy behind this is a synergy of the central concepts of the world's major religions. The society had its origins in an occultist movement yet is respected worldwide for its humanitarian work and pacifist values.
What they do: In the
Chennai grounds is a hostel offering free boarding and lodging to some of the school's students, a vocational training centre for women, a social welfare centre that cares for more than 200 babies in crèches while their mothers work, an animal welfare centre, a library and a publishing house and press.
The society was founded on principles of accepting and respecting members' rights to pursue their own choice of faith and spiritual teaching and its 10 acres of grounds contain shrines of many of the world's major religions.
Near the Buddhist shrine is the world's oldest Bodhi tree, grown from a shoot of the tree under which the Buddha received his enlightenment.
What you can do: Get involved! You'll learn as much as you give in this placement. Of course you'll be helping education some of India's most deserving and disadvantage children. Education gives them the opportunity to improve their lives as they grow and will help them to break out of the cycle of poverty that they were born into.
This is also a great opportunity to find out more about the daily work of a society whose origins, principles and philosophy are fascinating and all in the most beautiful setting.