On my last trip to Puttaparthi in 2008, my host and friend, Julia, encouraged me to purchase the book BEGGING FOR CHANGE. At that time the concept of the school intrigued me as I was working as a family physician with the homeless population in Toronto. However, I was only in India for 2 weeks, so I put the book in my bag and saved reading it for the flight home. When I began to read, I quickly realized that I would have to return to India to volunteer at the school. The idea of a space for healing and growth through love and spiritual awakening resonated profoundly. It was another two years before I made the trip back to India. This time I spent three months in the country with half that time spent with The Children's Project.

From the moment I arrived at Sai Gouri, the temporary Puttaparthi abode for the CPT family, I knew that I had made the right decision. I sat and listened to Michael and Aleli describing the school and their philosophy of education, love and discipline, enraptured by their words and the vitality they brought into the room. At the time that I arrived, many of the regular teachers were away for visa renewals and local festivals. I was asked to teach as many courses as I was comfortable teaching. I immediately started with math, science, psychology, physical education and, at my request, photography. After one week of teaching, I moved into the school to live with the children for the remaining time I was there. While living at Sai Gouri I was not only a teacher, but at times a loving mother and at other times a doctor for this large family. Needless to say, I was very busy along with all the other full-time staff there.

Although I have never done something like this before, it was an incredible joy. I can think of few things more rewarding than seeing a child's face light up with the excitement of a newfound piece of information, a new skill, or a fresh sense of confidence. Every day was full of moments of connection with the divinity within myself and within each individual there while also supporting the unique qualities and strengths of every child. It is this happiness of love and connection that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I particularly enjoyed teaching the photography class. Though officially I had only 4 students in my class, there was not a single child who was not clamoring for the opportunity to take a few photos. The first class assignment was to take photographs of eggs in black and white.The creativity and quality of those photos, and all of the ones which followed, were staggering. I look forward to formally teaching the other children when time and cameras permit on my next visit.

I pray to always be the love and light that I experienced at CPT and I certainly hope that I will have the opportunity to return in the near future.

There is no greater testament to the work being done by The Children's Project Trust (CPT) than the fact that despite past circumstances, the children can still just be children. When you're around them, it is easy to forget what they've been through. But what more does any child really need than to be loved and of course, to be told a good story? In their case, a very scary story filled with vampires, zombies and creatures who creep about in the dead of night!

I first heard about CPT through a friend who had volunteered at the school. At the time, I was looking to support a charity whose work I valued and where I could see direct impact on those it was meant to serve. I had left the corporate world disenchanted after 10 years working for organizations I did not really respect all in the name of security. I had a plan to grow a retirement account so that at age 65, I could finally start to live life. I had just started my own spiritual jewelry line and it only felt right that a portion of the profits go to some well-deserved organization. It was the precise moment that I was told about CPT.

Six months later, I decided to head over to India to have my own experiences with the children. With some trepidation, given that I'd never taught before and that English is the second language for the children, I taught 4th Standard Social Studies, 5th and 10th Standard Math, Accounting (yes, Accounting!), later added origami folding and scary story-telling (not officially part of the Indian core curriculum!) to my class list.

There is no denying that there were challenges. For many of the children, whose life experiences differ so vastly from those in the west (most have never bought anything from a store and all their possessions could fit into one small baggie), it is not always an easy task to make the topics relatable and interesting. The classes are small, ranging from 3 - 6 students, which is good because many require a great deal more attention after class. The older students in particular, were a bit more reticent in letting me as the teacher know whether they truly understood or not. It was a delicate balancing act to build a level of trust - sometimes requiring me to be gentle and encouraging or the stern taskmaster, but over time, I learned to trust my own instincts.

I think every person who volunteers develops a newfound respect for the art of teaching and becomes even more grateful to those who were our teachers. There is also no greater reward than watching a student smile when he/she finally, with some work and effort, understands and masters a topic that once seemed so elusive. It is witnessing that little boost of self-confidence that means much more than a mastery over debits and credits, irrational number, fractions, or the geography of India.

I've left the school profoundly moved, reminded by the children that happiness is really found in the simplest of things. As the Buddhist metta meditation elucidates, everyone needs only to feel safe, healthy, happy, and at peace. These children have a far greater understanding of that than even the most seasoned of adults. I say this as I myself try to re-navigate my place in the Western world where wants and needs can get especially confused. Already my heart longs for the simplicity of waking up each morning to the children chanting the Vedas and ending each day surrounded by the children as they ask for another scary story because, as they tell me very matter-of-factly, the last one wasn't really very scary after all.

My name is Tara Amrita, and in Australia I've been working as a marine ecologist. I first heard about CPT from a lady who runs the Sai Centre in Perth, Australia. She handed me the book (BEGGING FOR CHANGE) and said, "You have to read this." I finished the book in two days, having gone through a box of tissues. The children's stories tugged at my heart, how such innocent, divine beings could be so ill-treated. But reading about the love that Michael and Aleli gave them, as well as all the people who came to work with them, made me feel that I wanted to be part of that. to give love to such courageous children.

My husband and I left for Prasanthi Niliyam (Sai Baba's ashram], India a month later. We had planned to go to Coorg during our stay, but could only manage a one week visit. In my heart, I wanted to be with the children for a lot longer. Days before we left Prasanthi to go to Coorg, my husband was introduced to Michael who happened to be in Prasanthi at the same time. He told us that because building was going on in Coorg, they were moving to children to Prasanthi and would be staying in the order of months. My prayer had been answered!

I taught the older girls science, ecology and maths, and some of the younger girls in maths. From my first day with them, I was blown away by how courteous, loving and they all were. In Australia, school classes are typically 80% behavioural management, 20% teaching - on a good day. But with these children there was virtually no behavioural management. Instead they were like sponges, always wanting to learn more.

Something I wasn't prepared for was how smart all the children were. While teaching grade 10 science and maths, I was having to stretch my mind back to my first year university classes. That's the level of education these girls were being taught, and they all caught on so quickly. A lot quicker than I did in university!

Above all, I have never felt such genuine love coming from so many children. Every one of them has etched themselves permanently inside my heart. So much so, that beyond being my students and my friends, they are now my family.

I owe so much to Michael and Aleli for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a loving and embracive family, and to the children for loving me back with such openness and intensity. It is my heart's will that we get to return to the children as soon as possible and continue to share in their incredible journey.

I first learnt about The Children's Project in September 2008 during my first trip to India. My mother had recently finished writing a book about the project (Begging For Change) and suggested that I take a trip to Coorg to see what it was all about and help with some construction work that was underway.

When I first arrived it was late evening yet I was greeted with a large welcoming committee of about 15 kids, several dogs and Michael and Aleli. Over the next few days and weeks I was made to feel so welcome and at ease that I couldn't help but become involved.

I guess becoming a volunteer was something that came about because the children are all so caring. I realized that I cared about them a great deal, about their happiness, their health, sometimes their sorrows and also their future. I think of all of them as my little brothers and sisters, and love them the same way as I do my family and closest friends.

First of all I started by doing building work but, as volunteers come and go, it's sometimes "all hands on deck" looking after and teaching the kids. Whenever needed I started teaching the youngest kid and helping with the general chores that come hand in hand with life in a home school environment.

Seeing how dedicated the children are to each other and to their studies, I get a sense that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to. From the youngest to the eldest, motivation and effort is displayed in its purest form. Daily I can see the results it has on the children and on those around them.

I for one feel inspired by the children's efforts, hard work and motivation. It has given me new ambition, something I have been lacking. On my return to the UK, I intend to enroll in college and pursue some training in the field of social work. It will be a long road, but I know that if I can display half the will, character and drive of the children of CPT, I'll be well on my way. While I'm gone, I will miss all of my little brothers and sisters. I love you all dearly and thank you for all the good times and even the hard times. To all, courage, truth, peace and love!

In January 2010, Tom paid his 3rd visit to the school to teach for another five weeks. The following was written after his previous visit.

In January 2009 I journeyed to the school for the second time. Instead of just visiting, I was interested in lending any helping hand. Aleli gave me five classes to teach per day. Most of the children were extremely bright and willing to learn and although I have no formal training in teaching, it was a joy to give what I could.

I remember sitting around the fire one night talking to a little girl whose photo had first captured my heart before I had even made my first trip. We spoke about the stars and the planets. Her knowledge and interest for a 7-year-old amazed me. I thought about a possible future for her, feeling she was capable of anything.

Some children found the maths difficult to understand, particularly the worded questions, as English is not their native language. I spent time after school hours going through these questions and explaining how best to interpret them. One girl came to me excitedly just before I was due to leave and told me she had achieved 100% in her recent test. This was music to my ears and I was genuinely delighted for her. Two of the older girls were writing stories and asked me to have a look at them and give my opinion. I helped them rephrase and restructure some parts of the stories so that they would read a little better. At the school, the students' interests and abilities are encouraged as much as possible and I feel great hopes for their achievements.

I am a retired corporate executive who is now fulfilling his dream to be a singer so I brought CDs of backing tracks and typed words to teach the older girls a couple of songs. This turned out to be great fun. The girls performed "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas for the whole group on my last night. Everyone was gathered together and the performance received great applause. It was rewarding for them to experience the positive results of the time they spent rehearsing.

Then, one by one, some of the children got up to sing and dance in their own language of Telugu. It was fascinating and emotional to see and hear the songs and dances they had learned as young ones. Michael had just brought back four new children from Puttaparthi. While one new girl was dancing and singing I watched the faces of the other children. They were only getting to know each other, but I was delighted to read looks of such open acceptance.

Now, back in Ireland, I think of the children often and wish that I could be there. I know that they are safe and where they should be. They are loved and cared for and I am confident they will grow into responsible and caring adults with the ability to go out into the world and contribute. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I wish them all blessings in the future.

I don't think I have ever been a part of something I believed in more or had a more meaningful impact on my life than The Children's Project. The bonds of friendship I made there ran deeper than anything I could have expected. I have been a teacher at home in America, and obviously a student for most of my life, but these children were more than my students and more than my friends - I now think of them as part of my family.

My involvement in teaching and other activities were completely voluntary. The emphasis is on sharing moments. I slept in a newly made cottage that offered everything I needed, while other volunteers stayed in a bed and breakfast a few miles off campus. The food was not only delicious but ample and fresh; and if I needed a snack, the kids and I would go for a walk through the forest garden and pick what we wanted.

I miss waking up in the morning and taking a nice stroll through a path down the forested mountaintop to see the children getting ready for the day. They are so hard working and independent at such young ages. The oldest students are academically impressive receiving top marks in their state standard exams while balancing a life from sunrise to sunset full of studies and responsibilities - and they still find time for play.

Every single child there has undergone a transformation that pulled at my heart strings and inspired me to believe the world is becoming a better place, one person at a time.

And it all starts with Michael and Aleli. They are the heart, the inspiration, and the glue for this project. They are so supportive of every guest visiting, and their encouragement allowed me to grow along with the children.

I'm honestly not sure who got more out of my 3-month stay at CPT, the kids or me. But I do know that the next time I visit, I will give it everything I have to make sure the children get as much as they have given me. I whole-heartedly endorse this service project and urge anyone to go who want to inspire change and get inspired by the change they find in themselves.

In January my friend Andrew and I made a trip to Coorg. It was a PLEASURE to be with the children and of course Michael, Aleli and all the adult volunteers. I had a truly wonderful and 'productive' time.

The children at CPT are just so appreciative, so helpful, so sweet - and much more polite than the demanding spoilt kids in my home city of Singapore, where they have been given too much of every material thing and have maids to wait on them, hand and foot.

The Coorg children are 'tough' and 'hardy'. I was amazed when two of the girls shinnied up to the tops of the trees like monkeys in about 30 seconds. My friend, Andrew, who taught the children about nature and supervised all the mural art on the walls, commented that even when hurt and in pain they don't wail like our kids here. They just weep quietly.

They don't fight either; they are good-natured. It's truly heart-warming to see how they look out and CARE for each other ... and for the dogs and cats and visitors.

I was pleased to see them having organic brown rice (instead of the mountains of white rice they used to eat). CPT's organic food gardens are lush and producing plentiful greens. It's great to see them growing strong on nutritious, simple foods.

The only regret Andrew and I had is not being able to see the completion of all the mural art we began. We'll just have to wait until our next visit.