Free Student Hostels)

Chatralayam (Free Student Hostels)

Profile and Application for Grant

Submitted to

CSR PROJECTS / CSR BOX 1 | P a g e

2019 Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ...... 4 BACKGROUND TO PROJECT ORIGIN ...... 4 PROJECT RELEVANCE ...... 4 CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS) – A HOLISTIC SYSTEM ...... 5 PROJECT SUSTAINABILITYAND SCALABILITY ...... 5 THE ASK ...... 5

ORGANIZATION ...... 6

GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 6 OUR PHILOSOPHY ...... 6 VISION ...... 6 MISSION ...... 6 OBJECTIVES ...... 6 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL TARGETS ...... 7 ORGANIZATION STRATEGY ...... 7 BOARD OF GOVERNANCE ...... 8 STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ...... 8 ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ...... 8 Internal audits: ...... 8 External Evaluation and audit: ...... 9 MILESTONES ...... 9 AIM for Seva’s Journey in Education ...... 9 Other Projects ...... 9 CURRENT PROJECTS ...... 10 IMPACT ...... 11 RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND DELIVERY STRATEGY ...... 11 RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS ...... 12

PROJECT: CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS) ...... 13

PROFILE ...... 13 SALIENT FEATURES ...... 13 SELECTION OF STUDENTS ...... 14 PROJECT INNOVATION ...... 14 PROVEN ABILITY OF PROJECT DELIVERY ...... 14 2 | P a g e

UPCOMING PROJECTS ...... 15 IMPACTS CREATED BY CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS) ...... 15 Overall Impact ...... 15 Impact assessment 2018 ...... 15 FINANCIALS ...... 17 Beneficiaries: ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Calculation of Funds Required: ...... 17 Break-up of Funds Required: ...... 17

ANNEXURES ...... 18

ANNEXURE I: Letter from the Economic and Social Council of the UN ...... 18 ANNEXURE II: Guide Star Platinum Certification ...... 19 ANNEXURE III: TISS Empanelment Letter ...... 20 ANNEXURE IV: A typical day at the Chatralayam ...... 22 ANNEXURE V: AIM for Seva deliverables in recognition of the Organization's support ...... 23

GOING BEYOND NUMBERS ...... 24

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AIM for Seva seeks support for enabling access to education in rural India through its flagship project, ‘Chatralayam’ (free student hostels) instituted in 104 locations across 16 states accommodating over 4000 students, currently. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva) is a pan-Indian, non-profit charitable trust, founded by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 2000. Our founder understood that the challenges of accessibility and affordability were limiting children in rural India from going to school – which he uncovered during a conversation with a tribal woman. Thus, AIM for Seva’s journey began with the goal of enabling children from impoverished rural and tribal areas to have the same advantages as children of means and, therefore, every opportunity to develop their full potential – and of the nation. The first Chatralayam (free student hostel) was set up in 2001. Today, AIM for Seva is spread across 16 states with 136 projects that include Chatralayam, schools, a college, vocational training centres, residential facility for differently abled adults, healthcare facilities, community development initiatives and sustainable living projects. BACKGROUND TO PROJECT ORIGIN In 1999, when Swami Dayananda Saraswati visited the hills of the Anaikatti range, he was astonished to discover more than 100 tiny hamlets nestled within the mountains. In one of the villages, he enquired of an elderly lady, “What help do you need?” The lady responded “Swami, my children need to walk 7 km to school, across the forest – which is very unsafe. Why don’t you build a hostel and help them to go to school?”

Thus, began AIM for Seva’s journey, with the first Chatralayam opening its doors to students from the tribal villages around Anaikatti in 2001.

PROJECT RELEVANCE AIM for Seva identified obstacles faced by children in rural India in terms of gaining access to education: • Inadequate finances • Inaccessibility to schools • Lack of quality education • Lack of a supportive environment To address the above-mentioned issues, the Chatralayam are instituted close to schools. Each Chatralayam comprises of students from several neighboring villages and tribal regions, and enables education for students from multiple villages at one go. By eliminating the barriers to schooling, and by offering children a healthy living arrangement, we empower them to learn, to become all that they can be, and to make a meaningful and impactful contribution to their families and communities, and the nation.

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CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS) – A HOLISTIC SYSTEM For holistic development, one needs to pay attention to the growth of children in three main domains.

How Chatralayam help in the aspect Domains

The nurturing environment of Chatralayam Offering emotional security ensures emotional well-being of the students. Through private academic tuition, computer and Developing cognitive and language classes, the intellectual growth of intellectual skills students is addressed.

The inclusion of classes on values and ethics, and the

provision of opportunities to develop the qualities of Overall character building responsibility and accountability, act as a positive value-add in developing our students’ personality.

PROJECT SUSTAINABILITYAND SCALABILITY Our Chatralayam are sustainable, replicable and scalable, as evidenced by our success in having launched 104 Chatralayam in 18 years across 16 states of this country. This is also a standing testimony to the uniqueness and societal acceptability of this successful project. THE ASK The recurring cost of maintaining a student in a Chatralayam (on a conservative basis) works out to Rs. 36,000 per annum. This includes accommodation, food, books, uniforms, special coaching, transportation, healthcare and administrative expenses. All facilities provided to the students are completely free. We would like to appeal for your support for 3 Chatralayams – in Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh), Kansageri (Karnataka), and Senthamangalam (Tamil Nadu) Required Sponsorship:

222 Students X Rs. 36,000 = INR 79,92,000/- (Rupees Seventy-nine lakhs and ninety-two thousand only)

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ORGANIZATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of the organization AIM for Seva

Srinidhi Apartments Corporate Office Address No. 4, Desika Road, 2nd Floor, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004, Tamil Nadu Chairperson & Managing Trustee Ms. Sheela Balaji Website www.aimforseva.org Month of Incorporation November, 2000 Telephone +91 44 24987955 / 66 E-mail [email protected] Registered as a Trust vide no. 34096 Registration Details of Indian Trust Act 12A of Income Tax Act, 1961 Tax Exemption by Govt. of India 80G of Income Tax Act, 1961 FCRA Number 231660209 dated 10.08.2016 Tax Deduction Account No. (TAN) CHEA 15389 D Permanent Account No. (PAN) AAATA6343G

OUR PHILOSOPHY The AIM for Seva philosophy of sustainable development is supported by three pillars: Educate, Care and Innovate. Each of our carefully designed projects resonates with one of these pillars, ensuring a structure and form for AIM for Seva to reach the depths of rural India.

VISION To transform society through a network of Seva, of caring, to bridge the rural- urban divide, empowering every person to contribute to the progress of the nation.

MISSION Empowerment through value-based education and reaching out to the people of rural India through a network of community-driven projects.

OBJECTIVES • To educate and unlock the potential of children in rural India

• To improve rural hygiene and sanitation

• To promote sustainable livelihoods

• To provide access to healthcare services

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL TARGETS The Sustainable Development Goals charted by the United Nations address the global challenges we face. India has leveraged the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030 to map out comprehensive targets in all the 17 goals. To align our vision and mission with the 17 goals, AIM for Seva has instituted the following structure:

ORGANIZATION STRATEGY Our framework of Educate, Care and Innovate acts as an umbrella framework for the different projects we have instituted. In the below structure, we have also explained how our vision, mission and objectives are in line with the United Nation’s SDGs.

EDUCATE 104 Free Student Hostels 7 Educational Institutions 7 Community Development Projects Institution of job fairs and enabling of equal employment opportunities for all our students

CARE Residential facility for differently abled adults Day care centre for special children 5 million meals served annually Healthcare Facilities - 4 hospitals with 105 beds and a Wellness Centre - Ayurveda Clinic

INNOVATE A 50-acre farm for cultivation of organic heritage rice Farmer forums for sharing of traditional and modern agricultural knowledge and technical farming techniques know-how Retail unit for responsible commercial sale of heritage rice varieties

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BOARD OF GOVERNANCE

Name Role Profile Chairperson & Managing Ms. Sheela Balaji Entrepreneur Trustee Mr. R. Kannan Treasurer Board Director in Shriram Group Mr. Ravee Malhotra Trustee Industrialist Dr. E.S. Krishnamoorthy Trustee Neurologist Mr. Arvind Balaji Trustee Industrialist Ms. Priyamvada Balaji Trustee Industrialist

All of our board members are non-salaried, and receive no remuneration in any form. They have undertaken their positions on a purely voluntary basis, with the aim of contributing to society.

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AIM for Seva is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity within the organization. Women, differently abled people, SC/ST/OBC candidates are a part of our organization. AIM for Seva runs and manages 136 projects in all across 16 states in India. These projects are in the areas of education, healthcare, support and care for special people and sustainable environment projects.

S. No Staff Male Female 1 Full-time Staff 602 90 2 Part-time Staff 84 53 3 Volunteers 122 57

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AIM for Seva has several systems and processes set in place to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels of project execution.

Internal audits: • Registered as a Public Charitable Trust under Indian Trusts Act, 1882, AIM for Seva files IT and FCRA returns every year.

• AIM for Seva has a statutory governing body that ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• An annual internal and external audit of financial accounts and availability of the same on the AIM for Seva website.

• Periodic assessment and structured audits of all projects by project managers.

• Adherence to manuals and guidelines created to ensure good governance and management in each project.

• Periodic donor interactions organised for each of the projects.

• Regular donor reports sent to all individual and organization donors. 8 | P a g e

External Evaluation and audit: • Guide Star Certification: Guide Star India certifies NGOs based on their level of transparency and public accountability after a rigorous due diligence carried out by their team of certification experts. AIM for Seva has been awarded the Champion Level Guide Star Platinum Certification, the highest level of certification since 2015.

• Empanelment with TISS: Assessment and Empanelment Standards for Development Institutions (AESDII) in India, TISS AESDII is an attempt to create a model to evaluate, assess, accredit and build capacities of NGOs through a robust multi-layered scrutiny process that stresses adherence to a combination of financial and programmatic parameters.

• Accreditation by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), India and USA: AIM for Seva has been awarded the CAF’s Certificate of Validation, an organization that validates the credentials, capacity and track record of NGOs through a thorough assessment.

MILESTONES

AIM for Seva’s Journey in Education

Swami Dayananda AIM for Seva Tribal Boys First Free Hostel for Boys Chatralayam, Tamil Nadu 2001 Swami Dayananda College of Arts & Science, First College Tamil Nadu SNwaduami Dayananda AIM for Seva Tribal Girls 2004 First Free Hostel for Girls Chatralayam, Andhra Pradesh Swami Dayananda Rotary Matriculation Higher 2005 First Matriculation School Secondary School, Tamil Nadu

2009 First School for Girls AIM for Seva Balika Vidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh

Other Projects

First Sewing Centre for Women Uttarakhand 2002 First Day Care for Special Children AIM for Seva Shanmuga Society, Telangana AIM for Seva Jawahar Dharmarth Chikitsalaya, 2006 First Healthcare Facility Bihar 2010 First Residential Facility for AIM for Seva Krupa Care, Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Adults

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Geographical Spread: From Kanyakumari to Karnaprayag

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IMPACT

• 20 million lives impacted across 16 states in India since 2000, through all AIM for Seva projects

• 8,577 students from rural India are being supported to pursue their dreams through our Chatralayam and Educational Institutions during the year 2018-19.

• School dropout rate reduced by 90% among children enrolled in the Chatralayam

• 90% of AIM for Seva students cleared the Class 12 Board examinations

• 95% of AIM for Seva students cleared the Class 10 Board examinations

• 80% of AIM for Seva students went on to pursue higher education

• 20% of AIM for Seva students found employment in global organizations such as Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Sundaram Finance Ltd. and ICICI Bank

• Over 5,000,000 nutritious meals served annually

• 153,000 patients served through healthcare facilities annually

• 38 adults with disability provided with support

• 19 children with mental disability being educated

• 58 farmers signed up for a farmer’s training program in Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu, to preserve and cultivate heritage rice through ‘Spirit of the Earth’, an initiative of AIM for Seva. . RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND DELIVERY STRATEGY • Administrative overheads are kept remarkably low, below 10% of operating costs, which leads to deeper and wider impact – making AIM for Seva one of the most cost-effective delivery models operating in the country.

• 100% ownership and direct administration of each project, thereby assuring long-term commitment to the local community.

• The operating efficiency and intervention model developed and perfected over time, is one of direct delivery of projects at the field level, rather than through the commonly adopted third-party delivery model. Our model ensures that donor funding is most effectively utilised for the stated purpose.

• The donor framework is simple and straightforward – donors may sponsor students (Rs 36,000 a year for one student), many students, or contribute towards building of facilities or infrastructure.

• Contributions to AIM for Seva are exempt from tax for up to 50% of the contributed amount under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.

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RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS • Accreditation by United Nations Organization: Received Consultative Status from United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Letter in Annexure I

• Guide Star Certification since 2015 – Certification in Annexure II

• Empanelment with TISS Assessment and Empanelment Standards for Development Institutions (AESDII) in India – Letter in Annexure III

• Accreditation by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), India and USA

• Awarded the 20th Mahaveer Foundation Award for Excellence in Human Endeavour in Community Service in the sphere of Education.

• Registered with the National Institution for Transforming India (No. TN/2009/0007789)

• Awarded Four Star Rating by Charity Navigator, USA

• Commended by former UN General Secretary, Kofi Annan, for our pioneering work in the aftermath of the tsunami in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu

• Ms. Sheela Balaji, Chairperson & Managing Trustee of AIM for Seva awarded the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar 2017’ by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India

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PROJECT: CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS)

PROFILE Chatrayalam (Free Student Hostels), where AIM for Seva enables formal education, responsible living, modest lifestyle, healthy and nutritious food, uniform, after-school coaching and activities to enable the students to tap into their innate potential and channel it effectively.

Each Chatralayam comprises of students from several neighbouring villages and tribal regions. Given the remote location of these villages and tribal villages – not to mention the low numbers of children of school-going age – it is impractical to expect schools to be built and run in these places. A Chatralayam thus helps to enable education for students from multiple villages at one go.

AIM for Seva is currently running 104 Chatralayam, and students from 1,700 villages across 16 states have benefited from them.

- 21 Chatralayam for girls in 8 states (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand)

- 83 Chatralayam for boys in 16 states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand)

- Over 4,000 students enrolled

Most of the students in the Chatralayam are first-generation school-goers, and come from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

SALIENT FEATURES Besides education, AIM for Seva emphasises on holistic development of students through a schedule that includes:

• Sports: We encourage both indoor and outdoor games such as chess, carrom, cricket, football and athletics for development of leadership skills and team work. • Yoga and Daily Prayers: A daily routine of prayer and yoga ensures a healthy mind and body while inculcating cultural values and knowledge. • Extra-curricular Activities: Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are encouraged with activities such as story writing, art, sculpting, theatre, annual day and festivals’ celebrations.

After-school Academic Support: 99% of the students enrolled in our hostels are first- generation learners and we engage tutors for maths, science and languages whenever additional support is required.

Health Check-ups: A complete medical check-up of students is conducted biannually. Frequent dental and eye check-ups are also held in partnership with local healthcare practitioners.

Management: A resident warden and cook look after the children while a regional-level coordinator oversees the operations of each hostel.

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SELECTION OF STUDENTS After an initial survey of the identified area and surrounding villages and in consultation with the principals and teachers of the local school and panchayat stakeholders, AIM for Seva identifies deserving students in the age group of 6 to 10 years. The organization members thereafter discuss with the students’ families and address the concerns of the parents and guardians. These include topics such as:

• Care and safety of the students • Medical attention • Academic problems and extra coaching • Emotional and other specific requirements of the students • Rules regarding parents’ and guardians’ visits to the Chatralayam (Free Student Hostel)

The selection process ensures that the student, their parents and family members feel emotionally secure. With their complete consent and agreement, the student is enrolled at the Chatralayam. The Chatralayam provide the right environment for education and personal development of students from economically less privileged backgrounds from tribal and rural areas. While it is desirable for students to stay with their parents, lack of awareness of the importance of education, and difficult or problematic family circumstances require the students to stay in a congenial atmosphere to pursue their studies. Our Chatralayam provide a solution that addresses these issues. Our students are also mandatorily made to go home for their summer and festival holidays.

PROJECT INNOVATION The innovativeness is in the manner it overcomes obstacles in access to education, particularly in rural India

• By building the Chatralayam close to existing schools, it reduces the need to invest in new schools, where attracting the right and talented teaching faculty is a challenge • By catering to a larger linguistic catchment area through hostel stay, more students gain access to a school. • A significant point is that the atmosphere of learning at the Chatralayam encourages and nurtures confidence in the child, thus giving them reason to stay on in school – which, in turn, results in a very low dropout rate.

Further, graduating students have found employment in organizations such as Wipro Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, Sundaram Finance Ltd, ICICI, CAMS, Lucas TVS, City Union Bank, TVS Training Services, and in the government, army and police forces.

PROVEN ABILITY OF PROJECT DELIVERY AIM for Seva has delivered spectacular growth in respect to Chatralayam. 104 Chatralayam have been established in approximately 216 months, with almost one Chatralayam built every two months, consistently, over 18 years. All of this was achieved through public subscription and donations.

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UPCOMING PROJECTS There has been an increasing demand for new Chatralayam. In this year (2019-20), AIM for Seva will inaugurate and operate 9 new Chatralayam in the following locations:

1. Andhra Pradesh – Anantapur (Boys) 2. Chattisgarh – Raja Bhanpuri, Rajnandgaon (Boys) 3. Gujarat – Dhandhuka, Ahmedabad (Boys) 4. Karnataka – Tondikatti, Belgaum (Boys) 5. Madhya Pradesh – Padali Khurd, Khargone (Boys) 6. Madhya Pradesh – Padali Khurd, Khargone (Girls) 7. Maharashtra – Nagthana, Washim (Boys) 8. Tamil Nadu – Thennampattu, Vellore (Girls) 9. Telangana – Chinnadarpally, Mahabubnagar (Boys)

Expected student strength in each Chatralayam: Minimum of 30 students and maximum of 50 students

In addition to the above, we expect a 5% increase in student strength across the existing 104 Chatralayam.

IMPACTS CREATED BY CHATRALAYAM (FREE STUDENT HOSTELS)

→ By supporting the education of a student, a family is empowered

→ Empowered families impact community

→ Empowered communities strengthen society

→ Empowered societies make a strong nation

Overall Impact

• Over the last 18 years, since the first Chatralayam was established, AIM for Seva has observed a steady decline in school dropout rates in Chatralayam across India. Today, dropout rates have declined by 90%.

• Reach: 4,000-plus students educated year on year.

Impact assessment 2018

Having traversed 18 years in the journey of caring, innovating and educating, we felt a strong need to conduct a third-party impact assessment of our programmes.

The impact assessment of Chatralayam conducted by Sattva Consulting included interviews with 300 stakeholders, including students, parents, wardens, hostel coordinators and project coordinators. Here are the key findings:

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Change in academic performance of the students

• More than 35% of students have reported an increase in interest in academics

• 97% of students have reported an overall increase in marks

Change in the career aspirations of the students

• More than 90% have clarity on their future career

• 38% of students perceive that AIM for Seva has helped them in realising their career aspirations, by providing them with good education

Change in the behaviour and skills of students

• 37% of students have reported improvement in their ability to communicate with their teachers and friends

• 32% of students have reported better time management

• 24% of students have reported better management of stress and other emotions

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FINANCIALS

Calculation of Funds Required:

Running expense per student per month = INR 3,000 Running expense per student per annum = INR 36,000

Cost per Student Cost per Student Description of expense per month (INR) per annum (INR) Educational Expenses Textbooks, Notebooks, Uniforms, Tuition fee, 1,260 15,120 After school coaching, Sports and welfare expenses, Magazines and periodicals

Boarding Expenses Provisions, Vegetables, Dairy products, Cooking 1,500 18,000 gas, Toiletries, Personal up-keep

Admin Expenses Honorarium of hostel staff, Hostel 240 2,880 maintenance, Telephone and mobile

Total 3,000 36,000

Break-up of Funds Required:

Number of Request Chatralayam Location Students (INR) Swami Dayananda AIM for Seva Tribal Girls Chatralayam, 62 Girls 22,32,000 Peddakottala Village, Mahanandi Road, Nandyal, Kurnool District - 518501 Andhra Pradesh Swami Dayananda AIM for Seva Chatralayam for Boys, Avadhoot Galeshwar Mutt Kanasageri Village & Post, 60 Boys 21,60,000 Mudhol Taluk, Bagalkot District - 587122 Karnataka AIM for Seva Sat Dharma Trust Chatralayam for Boys, Valavanthi Kombai, Kalappanaickenpatti P.O. 100 Boys 36,00,000 Sendamangalam Taluk, Namakkal District - 637404 Tamil Nadu Total 222 Students 79,92,000 (Rupees Seventy-nine lakhs and ninety-two thousand only)

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ANNEXURES

ANNEXURE I: Letter from the Economic and Social Council of the UN

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ANNEXURE II: Guide Star Platinum Certification

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ANNEXURE III: TISS Empanelment Letter

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ANNEXURE IV: A typical day at the Chatralayam

The students follow a simple and disciplined daily routine

05:30 a.m. Wake up (morning routine)

06:00 a.m. Yoga

06:30 a.m. Study time

07:30 a.m. Getting ready for school

08:15 a.m. Prayer and assembly

08:30 a.m. Breakfast

09:00 a.m. To school (packed lunch given)

04:45 p.m. Return from school

05:00 p.m. Tea time

05:15 p.m. Play time, gardening

06:00 p.m. Personal reading time

06:30 p.m. Supervised study (tuition)

08:00 p.m. Dinner

08:30 p.m. Study time

09:30 p.m. Bed time

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ANNEXURE V: AIM for Seva deliverables in recognition of the Organization's support

1. Logo and name of the organization will be displayed as a special signage

2. The organization’s name will be mentioned in AIM for Seva’s website in the page pertaining to the project

3. Mention in all communication relating to the project

4. Annual report will be provided in print/digital format. AIM for Seva will also share any photos, films and digital material of the organization to showcase its CSR activities

5. A special meal can be served at the Chatralayam on a day designated by the organization, and representatives from the organization are welcome to take part in the programme

6. Representation by designated persons of the organization – GM, ZM, RM, Local Branch Manager – as Chief Guest during special events conducted at the Chatralayam, such as Independence Day / Republic Day celebrations, which can be leveraged by the organization as CSR, local community engagement and publicity through media stories

7. Every milestone and major activity of the Chatralayam will form part of the organization’s communication platform, which includes our website, newsletter and social media (Facebook and Twitter), which is being sent to 2 lakh patrons across India and overseas

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GOING BEYOND NUMBERS Even as we keep up our efforts to expand education and opportunity to the rural hinterlands of our country, our driving questions are: Through our initiatives, what is the real impact we have created on the ground? What is the true benefit our students gain? The answers to the above questions do not always lie in statistics or numbers. We find answers to these questions in our students. In R. Gayathri’s bubbly talk about how she is preparing to become an IAS officer – a far cry from the reticent teenager who would not speak more than a word. In Nalini Shelke’s successful induction into the police force – a dream come true for a young girl who once did not know a world beyond back- breaking work in the fields. In Charan and Dhanush’s decision to work harder at their studies, rather than dropping out of school out and take up a daily wage arrangement. In Usha Madhu’s happy smile – evidence of the healing she has undergone since being rescued from abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father. We cannot ‘measure’ these ripples of change, which are evidence of long-term metamorphosis at the grassroots. We cannot show through a graph how the coordinators bring in little unique touches that make the Chatralayam a home away from home for our students. We can only look to our students’ lives as they pan out, and observe how the seeds of transformation have now helped them grow into confident, empowered citizens.

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