Arunachala School: Transforming Lives of Marginalised Kids

The Arunachala Village School in South India is where education transforms lives. Nestled in a rural community in Tiruvannamalai, this primary school is unique in its ethical, playful, and children-led approach. It is completely free and focuses on providing education to marginalised children. Founded in 1999, well-known local social worker Madhan Mohan developed it as an innovative learning school for socio-economically deprived children, using many innovative teaching methodologies. However, following the recent passing of the primary donor, the school faces significant financial challenges, and we need your help!

Why is this school so special?

The school prioritises nurturing social and ethical values. It aims to raise a generation committed to improving society. The curriculum follows problem-solving principles, where children identify social issues and develop child-oriented solutions while learning reading, mathematics, and other subjects. This approach is visible in practice — once a barren land, the school is now a green oasis of trees and flowers, with children and teachers creatively recycling materials to build playgrounds.

The school offers education to some of the most marginalised children, including orphans, children from single-parent families, and those living below the poverty line, with a focus on girls. Students receive continuous support, including personal mentoring, yoga sessions, and free academic consultations outside school hours. The school emphasizes a flat hierarchy where teachers are addressed as 'Akka' (older sister) instead of 'Miss' or 'Teacher.' Students fully embrace their creativity through activities like dance, art, pottery, music, and games.

The school has many inspirational stories. Nine-year-old Laxmi (changed name) was initially enrolled in a government village school, where she faced significant challenges due to a hidden learning disability, often missing school as a result. After the loss of her father, her mother brought her to Arunachala Primary School, where she was warmly welcomed. The teachers quickly recognized her special needs and provided the extra support she required. Today, Laxmi attends school regularly, with an impressive 94% attendance rate, and is a happy, thriving student!

Why does the school need support now?

Due to changing funding landscapes, school donations have been facing a major drop recently. The school urgently needs funds to cover the expenses for the month of March 2025. These expenses include the following:

● Staff salaries

● Insurance

● School bus fuel

● Food expenses

● Maintenance costs

● Student educational trips

The cost per student is €352 for the whole year, including tuition, uniform, transportation, school supplies and all other costs.

How can you support the school?

Financial Contributions: The school desperately needs any contribution, no matter the size, to cover these immediate expenses. By supporting this campaign, you are not just donating but investing in education, equality, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks to help us reach more supporters.

Offer Expertise: The school also needs sustainable funding solutions. If you have experience in fundraising or have expertise to share, we would greatly appreciate your involvement. With consistent funding, the school can focus on education and community support rather than financial strain. Our dream is to open a secondary school, enabling even greater opportunities for these children.

People Behind the School

Social workers Madhan and Giri Govindaswamy have dedicated their lives to serving their community in Tiruvannamalai. Inspired by their parents' motto, "True happiness comes by making others happy". Madhan has initiated multiple projects, including menstrual awareness campaigns, a mobile hospital, a mobile library, a girl’s orphanage, wildfire prevention initiatives, and child marriage prevention activities.

Two years ago, Ms. Ramya assumed the role of President of the organization. As a former student of the same school, her leadership marks the beginning of a new generation guiding its future. With a deep personal understanding of the challenges these children face, she is dedicated to transforming their lives through education.

Fundraisers

Govind Radhakrishnan, a dedicated yoga teacher, along with his students from Europe, is organizing this fundraiser. For several decades, Govind has selflessly provided free trauma support for children and offered individual consultations to funders and teachers in the school community. His compassionate work has positively impacted countless lives, and this fundraiser aims to extend that support even further.

Learn More and Get in Touch

We highly encourage you to explore the school's philosophy and consider how you can incorporate its values in your own community.

Get Involved:

We welcome fundraising ideas and encourage you to visit the school in person.