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Who We Are

The Trust

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.

In the children's own words

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.

Philip Brown, USA
Secretary and Treasurer

Mathilde Wolff, USA
Creative Development

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.