Edition: 1 January - March, 2018 Anbudan Agaram “Reap what you sow” is something we at Agaram be- professionals, came together on the 26th and 27th of lieve. This is simply a testament to that belief. January, a union that moved me in many ways. It was only natural that tears of happiness rolled down my Sometime at the Airport of San Francisco, a voice cheeks seeing the students who once were shy to utter called out “Anna!”, to my surprise, it was an alumni of even a word, come up in front of everyone and articu- Agaram, who had travelled there on a business trip as part late how Agaram had changed their lives forever. Their of his job at Mackenzie. My heart was filled with joy and attitude towards their success was not simply “We excitement to hear this. “Anna, I am leaving to Australia to worked hard and we managed to get a job”. It was clear pursue a PhD!” Says another student and asks for my best that their pride lied in expressing that they will do unto wishes. Another alumni who lost her parents but excelled others what has been done for them. They wished to to equip herself with a government job despite the odds, deliver help to more students so that they could stand celebrated her daughter’s Ear piercing ceremony with in the same place and say these same words in the near all her fellow batch mates blessing her daughter with all future. To see alumni of Agaram come back and join the love that they could give. hands as volunteers, makes us realize that the journey It is truly heartening to hear all these stories of suc- has been worthwhile in every way. To share joyful news cess, uprising and love, and touches me in the most like this and to update you on all the work that goes heartwarming way possible. on in Agaram, we hope that this newsletter that you 10 years have gone by and Agaram has managed to will receive once in 3 months will do justice in bringing become a sanctuary of belief of young students. While you closer to us. In 10 years time, we hope to be able providing support for the higher education of Govern- to increase the number of students under Agaram by ment School students, Agaram currently houses the thousands and your help and cooperation will be key. hopes and determination of over 2000 aspiring individu- als. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, we have been Let’s join hands to create new stars and achievers that able to touch the lives of more than thousand students. we can all be immensely proud of. Individuals who believe that the educational dreams of deserving students should not be hindered by their Kindest Regards, financial problems, and educational institutions who have been big hearted enough to believe the same have Suriya joined hands in making this journey a meaningful one. Founder, Agaram Foundation The Students who as a part of “Agaram Vidhai”, have- passed out of college and have moved on to become Edition: 1 January - March, 2018 During 2017, we have received 5038 applications, out of Vidhai Thittam which we meticulously interviewed 1594 potential students. At the end of this process we handpicked 1126 students for To bridge the gap between deserving and talented home visits, from which 462 candidates were selected to come students, and their dreams of higher education and em- onboard Agaram and pursue their higher education. ployment, Agaram was started in the year 2010.“Vidhai Deserving candidates are selected and are given training in Thittam” aims to eliminate the distance between well Personality Development, communication skills and employ- wishing donors and students with potential. The educa- ment skills by the Agaram foundation. For candidates who tional and professional journey of these students bears have missed the opportunity of having been placed in a job, fruits of success with the help of Agaram volunteers. Agaram re-empowers them with special training and cements In the past 8 years, we have fulfilled the higher educa- a stable job position for them. tion aspirations of 1962 students. 83% of these students are During 2017, we have received 5038 applications, out of the first in their generation to receive education. Without which we meticulously interviewed 1594 potential students. Agaram their education would have come to a standstill At the end of this process we handpicked 1126 students for and the danger of having to drop out would still exist. home visits, from which 462 candidates were selected to come Deserving candidates are selected and are given training in onboard Agaram and pursue their higher education. Personality Development, communication skills and employ- Not only does Agaram provide education in colleges that ment skills by the Agaram foundation. For candidates who have been kind enough to set aside a few seats, we also cover have missed the opportunity of having been placed in a job, the accommodation and food costs of these students. Agaram re-empowers them with special training and cements Currently, we are in the process of selecting students with a stable job position for them. potential to be part of the 8th “Vidhai Thittam”. The journey continues… Edition: 1 January - March, 2018 Namadhu Palli (Our School) The aim of our “Namadhu Palli” program is to create a school that the students will enjoy attending. A few government run schools, from the districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpet and Maraimalai Nagar were picked and the students were asked what facilities would make their schooling experience a happy and enjoyable one. Enthusiastic students responded and requested that their cracked classroom flooring and their dining hall be set straight. They also requested for tables and benches for their use. With the approval of the education department and the au- thorities of the school, and joining hands with Amphinol Omni Connect Pvt. Ltd, the cement flooring has been re-done for classes 6 to 12.. The renovation of the dining hall has also been completed. 150 benches and tables have also been provided. Furthermore, the volunteers of Agaram visited the houses of students from classes 6 to 8, to understand the financial, familial and educational situation that persists in their fami- lies. They also suggested how the family can train their school going child in a way that they can. Last May, a theatre work- shop conducted by Mr.Santosh was brought to the kids of the Maraimalai Nagar Government School. 214 students took part in this particular workshop. This training helps in developing good habits, cultivating imagination and also aids in increasing retention. In the following classes the students were taught to handle everyday challenges and to understand their socio-economic conditions. With the help of SRM College, the students were also provided physical training. With the Maraimalai Nagar School as an example, vol- unteers of Agaram are working towards bringing together 8 schools in the Kanchipuram district in the same way under the “Namadhu Palli” program. Continuous work is underway to achieve this. The students and volunteers, who are a part of this campaign, have truly emboldened the initiative with their heartening hard work, support and enthusiasm. Edition: 1 January - March, 2018 and breeding farm animals and many more initiatives, Namadhu Graamam the “Namadhu Gramam” campaign is relentless in its efforts to equip the villages and their communities in a holistic manner. During the summers, we also organize (Our Village) various interesting, fun and instructive summer camps for the village children. We have also begun the process The students of Agaram have hailed from approxi- of building various local bathrooms with fixtures such mately 900 villages. All of their aim is to finish their as functional taps and wash basins, in all three villages. degrees and go back to do whatever they can for the de- This process has reached near-completion stage in the velopment of their village. This interest of the students Nelvaai village. to give back to their roots is the reason for the existence As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility of the “Namadhu Graamam” program. (CSR), Amphenol Omniconnect Private Limited has In the year 2015, during the Chennai floods, Agaram joined hands with the Agaram Foundation, in order to realized that the chance to start over had to be provided to bring the “Namadhu Gramam” initiative to fruition. We the victims of this calamity. With the help of a crew of stu- are very grateful to them for making this dream a real- dents Agaram has been able to adopt 3 villages - Kachur, ity; which would not have been possible without their Nelvai and Kirugambbakkam in the Tiruvallur district. support. The “Namadhu Graamam” program is run in these areas. The Nelvaai district‟s long-time request for being By increasing the education facilities, medical facili- provided with the Irular caste certification has been ties and identifying business and employment opportu- achieved due to the enduring efforts of Mrs. Dhivyashree, nities, Agaram has joined forces with its volunteers to the Agaram Foundation and with the co-operation of increase the quality of life of the residents of these areas. the Government was finally achieved. On May 2017, 26 Students who have discontinued their education were families were awarded the coveted certificate while on identified and put back in schools. With the help of the June 12th 2017, 12 other families received it as well. Mrs. residents themselves and our crew, we are able to run Dhivyashree graced the occasion of the distribution of special classes in the evenings. To encourage physical these certificated and presided over the event.