Greetings from Zeba.
I am in India doing MBA and will be here for another two years. One of my major discoveries apart from my studies has been the Nirvanavan Foundation based in Alwar, Rajasthan. I am working here as a coordinator for international volunteers and organizing a working group which would build a ‘Home’ for abandoned children. I always had a dream to work as an activist and serve humanity. The Nirvanavan Foundation is doing the Childline project in Alwar. Childline is a national free phone service for children in need for care and protection. At the Childline call centre we receive at least 2 – 3 abandoned new born babies every month. These babies are put for adoption and are sent to the government homes in Jaipur when they don’t find a safe home here. This situation has led the Foundation to think about building a ‘Home’ in Alwar. I am uploading a Vision brochure with this letter for you to understand the plan. The children’s village will be built on ecovillage standards and will be self sufficient. It will have a family system where the children will have a mother and they will grow up as brothers and sisters like in a family. They will be staying in the village until they are settled in life.
The Nirvanavan Foundation is also doing an education project with the ‘Nat and Kanjer’ community in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. The ‘Nat and Kanjer’ community is traditionally into prostitution. The girls from the community end up in the dance bars of Mumbai and to the Middle – East. The ‘Nat and Kanjer’ villages are spread all over the district into small village. In 2003 the Foundation had done an extensive survey and had identified 10 villages where there was a need for primary school. The Foundation now runs 12 schools; ten of these are in the ‘Nat and Kanjer’ villages. The objective of the project is to bring the community into the mainstream so that they could live with honor and dignity. I have uploaded another brochure which will tell you more about the schools.
The head quarters of the Foundation is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by the Aravali mountain ranges and a dry deciduous forest. The rocky hills are inscribed by ancient rock paintings. The Foundation is also involved in the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the region and annually organizes a number of ecological programs each year. Please visit the website and the Flickr of the Foundation for more information.
I am awe struck and it amazes me to see the work of the Foundation. A small group of young boys and girls have come together to bring about a change in the region. I am preparing myself for a greater work with my experience as a traveler and volunteer working in various organizations all over south – east Asia and also building up an academic background. I invite you to come and see the work of the Foundation and also help me to form a working group for building a ‘Home’ for abandoned children.
With love and maitri,
Zeba
Pls check it out....
www.nirvanavan.org.uk
http://www.flickr.com/people/23805009@N08/
