 BEGINNINGS
From beyond the individual heart or mind, the urge of the entire universe is to give and receive, not just to 'take'. It is a perfect harmony. Attunement to this universal harmony allows the beauty of life to be revealed, evoking the innate urge to "Help Ever, Hurt Never".
In this spirit, the founders of CPT began sponsoring children and teaching at small village schools in India. From 1998-2002 we engaged in individual sponsorship of approximately 35 destitute children in residential schools in rural Andhra Pradesh, gaining a greater understanding of the nature of education at the village level. Often one fairly educated person labours alone, doing their best to instruct as many as 100 children of all skill levels, ranging in age from 3 to 15.
It's not surprising that in circumstances like this it is the rare child who is able to go on to higher education. Even if they do manage college, many remain unemployable. Few jobs are available in their villages and they are ill prepared to compete for the higher paying jobs in the cities due to poor English and a lack of interpersonal skills. The village environment also has many orphans and destitute children who are branded as 'untouchable' by outmoded social and religious structures.
For them, even a primary school education may be out of reach. Mother India, home to such an ancient and globally revered culture, is Herself struggling under the burden of this imbalance.
It is to all these souls that CPT extends a hand, gladly, reverently, in hopes that by uplifting Her children, we honor the eternal traditions of this proud land.
The decision to form The Children's Project was born one night in October 2003 when four of the girls we were sponsoring ran away from their school and appeared on Michael and Aleli's doorstep. They had minor flesh wounds on their backs and legs from beatings inflicted upon them with a large stick. The couple perceived that it was dangerous to send them back to school and so The Children's Project Trust School and Home was born.
Children have come by word of mouth ever since.
Early Classrooms
Our first few years were spent in Puttaparthi, working with small classes of up to nine children in our large flat. More children were eager to join and we saw the need for a larger facility, one that would permit the children to live free of the stigma of formerly being beggars or rag pickers. We looked for something that could put physical distance between the school and the streets, so the children could discover who they were without family pressure or the pull of their old lifestyle.
To this end, in 2004 we rented a small house in Whitefield, a suburb of Bangalore, Karnataka, a 3.5-hour drive from Puttaparthi. New children came, often relatives of current students, as well as children from the tent communities in the area. During this time we were able to provide emergency support and care to over 50 children, while our residential student body grew to 28. In 2006 it became apparent that another move was essential.
It was then that we learned of Coorg. Here was a beautiful opportunity to expand the learning experience into Mother Nature's classroom and accept more children into the program. A benefactor helped us acquire 13 acres of pristine coffee plantation and in 2007 we constructed a small complex of temporary buildings on our new land. Construction of permanent concrete buildings is in full swing and we expect them to be ready for occupancy by February 2011.
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Not one of you is small; not one a feeble child; all of you are truly great
~ RIG VEDA, 8.30.1
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EVERYONE NEEDS YOU
There are many people without legs and hands,
Make them reach the light,
Tears fall from them.
Lots of people are trying to kill each other, but who can stop them?
You! You are the person they need and you can stop them.
They are crying to see you,
But they can't realize who you are.
Make them happy and let them know who you are.
~ EASWARAMMA, 5TH STANDARD
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