Hinduism Today July 2008 - Cover, Index, Front Articles

philantHropySocial Change Through EducationHow one Hindu-American woman set out to support a village schoolach day, in the gentle light ofmorning, women of Tamil Nadu, SouthIndia, use coarse, colored rice flour tocreate a geometric pattern of balanceand beauty just outside their front doors.These temporary yantras, or mystical diagrams,are known as kolam, which means“beauty.” They are a daily tribute to the GoddessLakshmi, and serve to bless and protectthe home and all who enter or leave.Vaidehi Ganesan Herbert, now living inKauai, Hawaii, named her Kolam CharitableFoundation (www.kolam.info) afterthis ancient ritual. Vaidehi grew up watchingher artistic mother create an elaboratekolam every day. Having the beauty of thepractice etched in her heart, she began thefoundation under the same name—to honorits spiritual message of welcoming and protection.The Foundation is the main supportfor a middle and high school in the outskirtsof Tuticorin in southern Tamil Nadu, nearwhere Vaidehi was born and raised.The Kolam Foundation’s main objectiveis to create economic independence for theneedy and underprivileged through grantsand educational programs. For example, Kolamgrants of two cows, forty goats and severalsewing machines to local village womenhave opened new income sources to them.Vaidehi attributes her sense of serviceto her upbringing: “I was always taughtif you’re lucky to have, you give. I comefrom four generations of a family that builtschools, orphanages, colleges and other servicecharities. It is something that comesvery naturally to me, but is certainly derivedfrom my Hindu background.”The Foundation is partnered with theImayam Sevalayam School, a day school providingacademic, cultural and spiritual educationto some 200 local students. Its foundersand headmistresses are C. Ponrathi andThe unforgettable colors of home: At Imayam Sevalayam School, the students are not onlyallowed but encouraged to express their beautiful Hindu heritageR. Saraswathi, retired teachers who beganthe school using us $60,000 of their pensionfunds. In addition to teaching the students,the school is involved in community outreachto the village women, offering vocationaltraining and counseling services. Theschool offers liaison services between thewomen and local banks, for microcredit tofund home-grown businesses.Saraswathi looks to Swami Vivekanandafor inspiration. “Swamiji’s words, ‘Service tohumanity is service to God,’ left an indeliblemark in my mind. He said, ‘Whatever youthink, that you will be. Never say, “No.” Neversay, “I cannot,” for you are infinite.’ Thesewords of the Swamiji are a magical mantrathat made me overcome all challenges.”Imayam School is accredited by the governmentand follows India’s national academicguidelines. It offers a primarily secularcurriculum, but religion is emphasizedas well. Classes and experiences are offeredhere that are not available in any otherschool nearby. Saraswati explains, “Studentsare taught Thevaram, Thiruvasagam,Arutpa and other devotional songs to helpthem understand the rich heritage of Hinduculture. They learn the reasons behind ourcelebrations and the significance of festivalssuch as Krishna Jayanti, Vinayaga Chaturthi,Navaratri, Sanda Shasti, Pongal and Ramnavami.Our students are now taking the leadall photos kolam foundationin their villages, conducting special pujasin their village temples and initiating otherreligious observances.” Ponrathi relates,“Physical exercises and yogasanas as well aspranayama are featured in our daily schedule.Training in Carnatic music is open toall students. Every Friday, they participatein bhajans. They learn devotional songs ofour spiritual gurus and the biographies ofHindu sages with their valuable teachings.”If not for the free education offered byImayam School, many of these young studentswould not be attending school at all;and others would have to accept scholarshipsfrom Christian mission schools in thearea. “If it weren’t for us, many of themwould be at these schools and be forced toconvert,” warns Vaidehi.Ponrathi explains, “No fees are taken fromthe students. All classes and extra-curricularactivities are provided free of charge. Studentsare all given a noon-time nutritiousvegetarian meal and provided with books,supplies and uniforms. All this is fundedby the Kolam Foundation. As their parentsdo not have to bear the expenses of theirchildren’s studies, they willingly and happilysend them to school.”At the close of the last school year, in Imayam’sfirst grade ten class, 27 out of 28 studentsachieved perfect scores on standardizedtests. These results greatly impressedWorking where the heart is: Vaidehi, left, with her sister Indira, who works in India as avolunteer school teacher with inner city children to qualify the brightest for collegeeducators all over Tamil Nadu, as it is rarefor lower-income students to achieve suchuniformly high results. These students havenow moved on to other schools, as Imayamhas yet to add eleventh and twelfth grade—a gap they are trying to close with their currentfund-raising drive. To provide a completesecondary education, they need twomore classrooms, eight more teachers andlabs for physics, chemistry and biology.Support for the school from the KolamFoundation is more than monetary; it alsoincludes an active volunteer program. Teachers,massage therapists, mothers and collegestudents are among the diverse volunteersthat have spent time learning and teachingExcellence in education builds a future:Disciplined, organized and joyous, the studentsof the Imayam Sevalayam School seetheir lives and opportunities expand as theylearn science, language, crafts, arts andhatha yoga in an uplifting daily routinein this special cross-cultural environment.The volunteers are paid $25 a day and aregiven housing and vegetarian meals.“Everyone has something to offer to thesestudents,” Vaidehi explains, “especially theyneed to practice conversational English.”One such volunteer was Anna Myers, apersonal trainer on Kauai. She recountsfondly, “I had the privilege of teaching Englishto the children in November of 2006.These kids are wonderful. I find it difficultto describe in words how my experience inTamil Nadu has affected my life. I could seethat through this school these children havethe chance to escape poverty.”Vaidehi has developed a simple fund-raisingmethod suitable for her island life. Everyfirst and second Saturday of the month, sheinvites local residents to her home. She preparestraditional South Indian vegetariancuisine for a fabulous brunch that lasts forhours and includes sharing of recipes andcooking demonstrations. The $30 donationsfor the brunch go toward Imayam School’sbasic expenses.Other organizations have also taken interestin the school. For example, SwamiSivananda’s Sevalaya recently built a dormitoryto house 50 girls, and a two-room clinicthat will serve the school and greater communitywith a part-time doctor and nurse.One of the school’s teachers, ProfessorSelvaraj, came from a poor family and wassent to college by Vaidehi’s family. He summarizesthe impact of this school, “Educationis really an instrument of social change.Good education has emancipated many ofour Tamil families from poverty, ignoranceand social backwardness. They are able tolead a decent life and enjoy a good socialstatus only due to their education.” ∏πBy Keya Keita, Hawaiikolam foundation, 6213-a kahiliholo road, kilauea,hi 96754 usa phone 808-828-0540 e-mail vi@kolam.infothe foundation offers travel/charity tours to india36 hinduism today july/august/september, 2008 july/august/september, 2008 hinduism today 37