 The Organization
The Children's Project is a small but growing charity and follows a traditional non-profit organizational structure. It is comprised of two organizations under common control, The Children's Project Trust (CPT) in India and The Children's Project Educational Foundation, Inc. (CPEF) in the United States. The Children's Project Trust has a board of trustees, most of whom are involved in the daily life of the school in India. The Children's Project Educational Foundation, Inc., which provides support for the project in India, has a Board of Directors and Officers, some of whom are involved with the school in India and others who provide support from the United States. All trustees, officers, managers, administrative personnel and visiting teachers work for the joy of service and the benefit of the children. We pay fair wages to our local support staff of teachers, cooks and plantation workers in India.
All efforts are geared towards educating and supporting our children to a better life. To that end, we are developing small commercial ventures that are fully integrated into the educational program. (See "Expanded Education"). These will give interested students the benefit of hands-on vocational training and careers in various trades once they complete their academic education.
The Children's Project Trust was formally established in August 2002 as a registered tax-exempt trust in India (Registered Charitable #AAATC3798B). The Children's Project Educational Foundation, Inc is a tax-exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax Identification Number 27-0775488). It also is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation in the State of California (registration #3110441).
Founders And Managing Officers
The founders of CPT are Michael Galligan and Aleli Warren Brown, an American couple who have long been involved with what they refer to as "silent service" - that is, consistent acts of kindness, without fanfare, using their own resources wherever they have perceived a need. They have been based in India for almost 12 years where their efforts have centered on uplifting the lives of destitute children. Prior to the founding of CPT the couple was engaged in sponsoring children in a number of private schools in and around Puttaparthi, a village in Andhra Pradesh where they have made their home.

Michael serves as the President and Project Administrator. He is a fully hands-on and visionary leader who, in addition to uplifting the children, oversees all aspects of the project from school curriculum, to building construction, financial management, communications and all the agricultural enterprises. On the rare occasion when duties take him away from the school, like a father, he is never too busy to take a call from any of the children, patiently listening and guiding them in the least aspects of their lives.
Day-to-day school governance is skillfully handled by Michael's wife, Aleli, who is Vice President and coordinates class schedules, teachers and curriculum planning, as well as all the homely duties that go with care and feeding of a very large family and support staff. When encouraged to select a title for the purposes of the organization she frankly states, "If I must have a title, I would prefer that it simply be 'Mother'".
Aleli and Michael truly are Mother and Father to The Children's Project and although the children label them as "Uncle" and "Aunty", it is clear that they offer the kind parental protection and guidance these children were never able to receive from their birth parents.
This is a Thank You poem to Swami about my dad and me. It's about how we came back to each other.
Dear Swami,
Thank you for giving me my father back. I missed him in all my lonely years, even if I didn't know it. We were lost in this birth until you brought us together along with the other members of the family. I can never thank you enough. As long as we're with each other you're also with us.
"My Dad, Michael Galligan.
Who is he?
He is none other than
a piece of our souls.
His heart is with us
as our hearts are with him.
There is no obstacle in our love to him or his love to us.
Our love can never be broken in this birth or any birth.
I love you, Dad.
Shine till the end. Serve till the end of your life. Love everybody. Shine till the end. Until you give up the body."
~ Maheswari, Age 14
Uncle is a remarkable, tremendous, heavenly person. He is the kindest person in the whole world. Uncle and Aunty gave up their own life and put their hands in the ground to help us dig out our unhappy lives and gave us a new wonderful life. They sleep less, eat little and work hard all day long. They do more than any family person. I love them with all my heart. My life here is excellent. Whenever I go to visit my mother I feel I am in a strange place and want to come back to my real home and my Mom and Dad. Because of Auntie and Uncle I learned work, education, spiritual life and everything the world can teach me.
~ Dhanamma, Age 15
Uncle is my soul and he is my best father and friend. Aunty is the world. She is a kind mother. When I came to Uncle and Aunty I felt that I did not want to go back to my old school. I felt I came to a new home.
~ Ragendra, Age 11
When I first met Uncle and Aunty I thought they were kind and nice. They give us food, clothes to wear and a place to live. Everything I need they give me. I have learned to be nice, good, helpful and happy from them. My life is now so peaceful and lovely. We all live, work and learn happily together. I always want to be with Uncle and Aunty. It is so beautiful.
~ Amitha, Age 6
The first time I went to Puttaparthi I had never seen a foreigner before. That was when I met Uncle and Aunty. Uncle spoke very kindly and reminded me of a father. Uncle is a very kind-hearted, marvelous, fantastic father to all the children at CPT. He gives us discipline but in a loving manner. Aunty is strict, marvelous and fantastic at discipline for the children. She is our very, very good mother. My life with Uncle and Aunty is very happy. I have learned to be honest and kind to everybody.
~ Sushma, Age 14
My life with Uncle and Aunty is wonderful. I love the nature and the energy around here. I feel as if I am with Krishna in Heaven. Uncle and Aunty do what not many people can do but everybody wants. They give love. They show us the way to the light of God, which I have finally seen!
~ Saritha, Age 15
Uncle is a kind-hearted person and he is a sweet person. He loves everyone in his heart. Aunty is a beautiful, hardworking and happy person. I have learned all the good things that a good girl needs to learn.
~ Mali, Age 14
Uncle and Aunty are very simple and loving parents to us. We learn many things from them, but the main things are love and peace. Uncle worked very hard for us even though it was monsoon season in Coorg. He lived in a tent where there were hard winds so he could build our houses.
~ Anji, Age 15
Uncle and Aunty take care of us like their own children. We all love them very much. I was so happy to join their school. We all love living in our new home. I think the mountains are beautiful and the nature is very green. We love living with dogs, cats, cows and other animals around us.
~ Chini, Age 12
Uncle is a very kind-hearted man. He has so much love inside him when he speaks to someone. I love him so much. Aunty is a beautiful and wonderful woman. She always works hard for us. She won't rest till her work is finished. We all love her soooo much. They have taught me courage, how to be strong and so many other things. I enjoy living with them so much.
~ Ganga, Age 14
Other Officers
Ladd Bogdonoff, USA Public and Donor Relations
I've known about CPT for the past eight years since my dear friends, Michael and Aleli, helped birth this project when they felt the urgent need to do something to alleviate the suffering of street children.
I've always worked with children since my own youth. As a teen, I taught young kids how to swim at Duke University where I grew up in Durham, NC. Many years later, I started co-teaching the SSE [Sri Sathya Sai Education In Human Values] children at the San Francisco Sai Center. Since 1988, I've been involved in one form or fashion with the SSE program within the Sai Organization in the USA, supporting regional musical events and with the International Children's Christmas choir in Sai Baba's ashram at Prasanthi Nilayam.
Everything about the Children's Project, kids and staff are medicine for me! It was love at first sight! The kids have really grown and thrived under the loving care of the staff that have been "called" to this work. I consider it a real privilege to be part of this miracle school in the mountains of Coorg.
My duties with CPT include giving talks around the USA, sharing stories, presenting a slide show depicting life at the school and then
dispatching to CPT's treasurer the funds that naturally flow in from people eager to support this inspiring project. When I'm in India, I help out with our singing circles in the evenings where we get to celebrate together and make new friends from around the world. "Hoisting our flag and beating our drum" helps raise awareness about the plight of street children everywhere and gives new supporters an opportunity to become part of our ever-expanding global family.
When asked why I support the project, I have to say: " 'Love' is the answer!" The children have touched all of us very deeply... Each is a unique expression of God's light shining on this earth. Seeing them grow and mature over the years into responsible, caring members of a global family is truly inspiring. Many who visit and spend time with the children come away transformed by the power of their love. The Children's Project is a living example of 'Love in Action' where all of us are truly blessed to be part of this unfolding miracle.
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Philip Brown, USA Secretary and Treasurer
I have known Aleli, Michael and Ladd for many years. They are like family to me. During the time we have known each other, we have been involved in many service activities together. When Michael and Aleli first told me about the work they had started with the children in India and asked if I would help, there was no question in my heart or mind that I would become a part of it.
My role is to provide support for the work being done with the children in India from my home in San Francisco, California through The Children's Project Educational Foundation. I correspond with people who inquire about CPT and the work we are doing, communicate with our donors, process the donations we receive, and maintain our records.
I feel that this is the most worthy project I have ever been involved with. The chance to provide these children with the opportunity to have a wonderful, bright future is an honor and a privilege. Each of these children is a precious gem and they deserve our best efforts and every opportunity we can provide them. For my part, I will continue to do whatever I can to insure that this project succeeds for the sake of the children. I feel that this project makes God very happy and that He is blessing it joyfully.
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Mathilde Wolff, USA Creative Development
Mathilde serves as Secretary for CPEF, Inc. as well as being a Trustee of Children's Project Trust. Mathilde began sponsoring destitute children in India in the 1990s to allow them to attend village schools. She also supported an orphanage in India during that period. In 1999, Mathilde met Aleli and enlisted her support to look after the children she was sponsoring while she was in the United States. When Michael and Aleli saw the need to create a residential school in India, Mathilde joined them by supporting their efforts both financially and by creating a support base in the United States. She coordinated with legal and accounting professionals to create Children's Project Educational Foundation, Inc. in the State of California. Mathilde continues to do this work in the United States and visits our children in India who are so close to her heart whenever possible.
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Rajesh Poolakanda Ramappa, India Site Management and Community Development
About two and a half years ago, one Sai devotee came to our shop in Madikeri, Coorg to discuss solar panels. He knew Michael and wanted to send some equipment to him for a project. I went with the devotee to deliver the unit and I found Michael doing construction work. The children had not yet come, but there was this man, doing this hard work himself with his own hands. I was impressed by that and I felt to help him.

We talked about the project and I thought he needed to have some local help. To be honest, when I heard about the school I wondered how it could happen in Coorg. So many people talk a lot, but do not do what they say. Then I saw the plan coming up and I became more impressed with Michael. He was more concerned about the children's welfare than anything else. He wanted them to be happy. He checked every detail, the toilets, hand washing, electricity, making sure everything was done for their good. I saw that children came first in Michael's mind and I thought it was wonderful. I started supplying other materials, bamboo and wood. Later I got into the electrical and plumbing work.
When Aleli and the children arrived, I could see this was really something different. Aleli was like Michael, always caring for the kids first - 18 hours a day. She worried about small details, too. Making sure they were safe, like having steps the right height. She looked after the food and diet, so that it was healthy, not too spicy. She was very concerned about the older girls and set strict rules for their safety.
It was easy to see that the children loved them so much. This was a home, not just a school. All the children were treated the same and with love. Always the children had smiles on their faces. They looked energetic, never dull. It came to me that people in this place were happy. I felt this was the best project I had ever seen and I really wanted to do something. I thought to myself, "No people do this. People talk and do nothing - but here they do more and talk less."
I was so happy to see the way the school valued the Indian culture and history. They started bhajans, mantras and editation early in the morning and got the children to enjoy Indian classical music. All the children speak English, so communication is easy. Michael and Aleli take an interest in each child like a father and mother.
Now I have worked at CPT fulltime for more than two years. I try to give support to Michael anyway I can, believing if he is strong the project will be strong. I work with local officials, contractors, plumbers, electricians and the telephone company. I make sure to keep him in good standing in the community. We join together in land dealings, registrations and CPT business. In all our work together I see how honest and true he is and I have even more respect for him.
I do anything on the land that they need, farming, irrigation, help with the animals. I feel that at CPT nothing is impossible. One day it is going to be wonderful, a university even and a spiritual center. I see that all the planning goes into building a future for all the children, so that even after education they will feel secure and go towards a good lifestyle.
I feel CPT is there to set a good example for others. People can see what can be done and take the step to help other children everywhere. We came to this earth to do this kind of project. This is my lifetime project and I will never turn back. I am happy every day to be part of it, to have the divine grace to take this forward. We all work in such a selfless way, with love. Other animals eat for themselves only humans can do for others. This is a grace from God.
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S. A. Wajid, India Legal Advisor
Mr. S. A. Wajid is a qualified Attorney and Legal Consultant. He earned Master of Law degrees from Mc George School of Law, The University of Pacific, California, U.S.A; and he is a practicing Advocate based in the City of Bangalore. He is a widely travelled Professional, having contacts with his Professional Colleagues especially in U.S.A and Europe.
Mr. Wajid has served as a professor of Law on the Guest Faculty of the University Law College, Bangalore; and an Additional Central Govt. Standing Counsel in the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore. He has been advising members of The Children's Project since 2008 and last year he happily joined us as a Trustee and Legal Advisor.
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