 support cpt
- A residential school for 100 children and supporting staff.
- Advanced free educational program from pre-school through university level based on Education In Human Values.
- A centre for open learning that includes a creative media program for interactive distance learning.
- Renewable energy systems from Mother Nature, like wind, solar and biogas.
- A building complex with a meditation temple and private accommodations for staff and volunteers.
- Healthy expanded educational enterprises in our organic farm, coffee plantation, dairy farm, restaurant and store.
Financial support is most welcome for our construction as well as for daily operating expenses, healthcare and the growth of our expanded educational enterprises. Small privately donated sums always go directly to the children. All staff work as volunteers, donating both time and money.
The intention is for The Children's Project to become fully self-sustaining, with our educational enterprises supporting our not-for-profit foundation. Until that time, we are grateful for the groups and individuals who support us in the journey.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
We fully believe in the abundance of the universe and have seen in The Children's Project how good works never languish for want of funds. We have also learned to "wait on the Lord": when the time is ripe, the resources inevitably arrive.
However, we have had many requests from our supporters for more detailed information on our specific needs. This information is provided with respect for their interest and in gratitude for their continued love and support.
As Sathya Sai Baba says:
Let each one give out of the fullness of his heart, on his own initiative, whatever he can give gladly, after studying well the present work and the future possibilities of the institution. Your duty is only to inform; do not try even to persuade; begging for the sake of work which is inherently good is an insult to human nature.
The items below represent our vision, our prayer and our understanding of the practical requirements for the healing of a soul.
All estimates based on exchange of US $1 = 46.32 INR taken August 2010.
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HOME AND SCHOOL BUILDING
Begun Oct 2009
The new facility is constructed of poured concrete and made to stand the test of time - and the yearly monsoon drenching! The total square footage of 18,000, spread over 2.5 floors, will house dormitories and classrooms as well as a library, computer room and media centre.
The first floor will be devoted to classrooms and school office space while the second floor will contain the sleeping and living areas. The school's kitchen is on the lowest half level and abuts the large dining hall, which features a small fountain and is entirely open on 2 sides with great views to take advantage of the natural slope of the land. Large central halls stretch through both upper floors of the building and will serve as very good space for play and study. A great staircase climbs through the core of the building below a skylight designed to bring in outside lighting. We hope to move in before the next monsoon.
See CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS for more information.
EXPENDITURES AS OF AUG 2010: Rupees 48,18,420/ US$ 104,024
ESTIMATES REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION: Rupees 50,00,000 / US$ 107,943
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ROADWAY AND LANDSCAPING
Begun June 2010
A road is currently being graded that will allow us access to our new home. We've used granite foundation stones to ensure it stands up to the truck traffic that is a necessary part of construction. Once the building is complete it will be either tarred or blocked stone.
Once major construction on our school building and home is complete landscaping will begin.
We envision walkways between our various outbuildings, flower gardens and gazebos for outdoor classes in the nice weathers. Play areas and a field for cricket and other games are also planned. All of these will help us create a safe haven for children who have never known one.
EXPENDITURES AS OF AUG 2010: Rupees 50,750 / US$ 1,096
ESTIMATES REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION: Rupees 10,00,000 / US$ 21,589
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FURNISHINGS, APPLIANCES & WOOD STOVES
Date Required: Upon completion of building
Although we live simply, there will be a need for basic home furnishings and appliances and there are a number of items on our wish list.
- Bunk beds for the dorms
- Shelving
- Kitchen appliances, gas stoves
- Wood stoves for heating (cast iron or masonry)
- Furniture for school and home
ESTIMATES REQUIRED: Not calculated.
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ORGANIC FARM
On-going
COFFEE, VANILLA & CARAMOM: We are transforming our coffee plantation into an organic operation. This requires an investment of at least three years to receive that certification. To offset the volatile coffee commodity market we have expanded into organic vanilla and cardamom. Both are easier to grow and can give a much higher yield with lower labour costs. An investment has already been made in new plantings.
VEGETABLES & FRUIT: We have planted a variety of items that enhance our table and allow us to introduce the children to the concept of "Good Nutrition": papayas, figs, avocados, mangos, bananas, jackfruit, oranges, guava, passion fruit, lettuce, wheatgrass, carrots, chard, beetroot, arugula and more. The fruit trees are relatively inexpensive to obtain and plant. Many are flourishing. A greater investment in time, manpower and resources will be required to bring our vegetable garden up to the level of full self-subsistence.
FERTILIZER: The utilization of cow bi-products such as Panchagavya (fermented cow urine plus four other ingredients) and dung helps us produce much healthier, high yield crops and cuts our expenses. We have begun this process successfully, but expanded production will be required once we return to the land.
Our plantation is currently netting us a small income, which is invested back into the operation. See ORGANIC FARM for more information.
PROJECTED ANNUAL INCOME FOR 2010: Rs. 1,79,356 / US$ 3,872
ESTIMATES REQUIRED FOR EXPANSION: Not calculated.
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COW BARN EXTENSION & BIOGAS PLANT
Begun June 2010
This extension will allow us to maximize production - not only of milk but also dung and urine that will supply our organic farm with a rich nutrient source and a natural pesticide.
The Biogas plant will provide us with cooking gas for our kitchen while being friendly to the environment. We have already begun construction of this.
The lower level is a clean multi-purpose room for storing and preparing cow feed. It also doubles as a chicken coop.
EXPENDITURES TO DATE: Rupees 3,98,011 / US $ 8,593
ESTIMATES REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION: Rupees 5,00,000 / US $ 10,794
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DAIRY PROJECT
On-going
Our plan is to eventually have 18 healthy dairy cows in our barn. This will provide us with more than enough milk to feed children and staff and also produce income through milk sales. The upper level of the cow barn will be transformed into an industrial kitchen where raw milk will be turned into other saleable items like butter, curd, paneer and eventually - ice cream.
See DAIRY FARM for more information.
ESTIMATES REQUIRED FOR EXPANSION: Not yet calculated.
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DAILY NEEDS FOR SCHOOL AND HOME
On-going
Our family currently includes 34 children so there are daily costs for food, medical care, clothing, facilities rental and more. There is a temporary hold on accepting new children until our Coorg facility is complete. The evolution of technology in India has brought an improvement in the quality of many daily items. However, there are still things that would be of use.
- Good quality play clothing for the smaller children, modest for the girls
- Nutritional supplements, vitamins, etc.
- Art supplies
CURRENT MONTLY OPERATING EXPENSES: Rs. 1,32,900 / US $ 2,869
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LIBRARY & MEDIA CENTRE
On-going
We envision an excellent and diverse library in Coorg and are keen to train a few of the interested older children in library sciences.The library will be located next to our media centre and will eventually become a focal point of an open learning environment that will evolve along with our standard curriculum. Currently we would appreciate:
- Dictionaries (for all ages, picture dictionaries for the young ones)
- Picture reference books
- Books for leisure reading for children of all ages
Our media centre now includes eight new and used Apple and PC laptops, one large desktop unit and several video cameras. We feel that training in computers and creative media is critical to the uplift of our children.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Projected Start Date: Late 2010
Our intention is to live gently on the earth, learning to use Her elemental resources wisely. The rich rainforests of Coorg are the perfect place to do this - and to teach our children conservation as well.A number of our children are scientifically inclined and we look to develop hands-on-learning opportunities with these endeavors.
This system will help us towards our eventual goal of self-sustainability.
- Solar panels for heating our water. This will work the majority of the year.
- Wind Mills
- Hydro
ESTIMATES TO COMPLETION: Not calculated.
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TEACHERS' RESIDENCES
Projected Start Date: Late 2011
Rooms with private baths will be built for teachers in the main house, but we plan some well-placed outbuildings for visiting teachers and volunteers. These have not been designed yet, but we are looking at several building styles that will be beautiful and easily adapt to the Coorg environment.
ESTIMATES TO COMPLETION: Not calculated.
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MEDITATION TEMPLE
Projected Start Date: 2011
Helping each child to develop a relationship with his or her conscience, the true self within, is an integral part of our program. This space will be at the heart of the project, a place of retreat and silence for communion with the inner self, the divine and the world around us.
ESTIMATES TO COMPLETION: Priceless!
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If you feel moved to send gifts to the children please CONTACT US with your interests so we can guide you to things that will inspire you and be truly useful to the children. India Herself is evolving and high quality goods are more readily available here.
Inclusive Vision
CPT does not accept sponsorship for individual children. Ours is an inclusive vision, one in which each child is seen as a member of the family. Naturally the health of the family as a whole directly affects the health of the individual. We have seen that financial help given to all the children and the school is even more beautiful than help given to one child, because all can share and live as one.
Our donors have been competent, loving and trustworthy people. We hold ourselves out to the discriminating donor who values quality received for the money they spend to educate and care for a child. They understand that it takes much more that just putting a single child in a school and paying for them to ensure a positive difference in their lives. We are committed to assuring these children are lifted out of the cycle of poverty forever.
Sathya Sai Baba has said, "If a cause is noble, people will naturally give." We believe that the uniqueness of our program will help donors to identify The Children's Project as truly worthy.
Visitors to the school find the experience has an unforgettable effect on their perception of life. To see once destitute street children smiling happily in the lap of Mother Nature with all their needs fulfilled is an uplifting experience. Very few people leave the school without making a heartfelt contribution.
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