SevalayaAn NGO located in a village is – 45 KMs West from ChennaiIt runs a school that is free for elementary and high school students, as well as two orphanages for 200 orphaned children. Sevalaya teaches students how to view Mother Nature and treat it with love and respect. It also teaches them how to live in harmony and harmony with the environment. All Sevalaya staff and students take a vow of allegiance to the following. 5S MethodologyTo reduce wastage in manpower and material. They are trained in The five principles of 5S are: Sort, Set in Order, Shine Standardize and Sustain.
I visited Kasuva in the summer 2019. SevalayaI was treated with a wonderful science exhibit. The exhibition featured posters, models, and presentations that addressed the problem of global climate change and the need for sustainable development. The students clearly articulated the main causes and explained how they could reduce greenhouse gasses while promoting sustainable development.
A mime performance was called Say No to PlasticThis addressed the problem that plastic bags were polluting water bodies and causing death to animals. It was clear that they were not reciting the things they had memorized. I was pleasantly surprised. But I shouldn’t have been. Sevalaya students not only learn about protecting the environment but also practice it in their daily lives. We can see the campus from the outside and learn how the students follow this 5S principle.
Everyone puts food scraps in buckets near the washbasins in the dining hall, where they can enjoy free meals for thousands of seniors and children. To be washed, they rinse the plates and stack them on top.
They meticulously separate the non biodegradable and degradable wastes on campus. The non-biodegradable is sent out for treatment. The organic manure is made from the biodegradable and food waste collected in the dining hall.
They collect cow urine and cow dung from Vinobhaji Gaushala. This shelters cows who have outlived their utility period and are destined to slaughterhouses. They enrich the cowdung manure with biofertilizers. Simple aerobic fermentation converts the biomass into organic manure. The manure they produce can be used to organically farm on campus. The high school also teaches organic farming to students of agriculture, although it is not required. The cow dung from the Gaushala is also used for biogas production in a Gobargas plant that can produce 1 metric ton of biogas per day. This plant provides part of the fuel for the campus’s senior homes and the kitchen.
Sevalaya celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding.ThAn anniversary celebration was held by the students and staff from various units at Sevalaya. 1650 saplings were planted by them.
Their efforts extend beyond their campus to protect the environment. They create eco-friendly Ganesha idols using vermicompost, seeds for Ganesh Chaturthi, and as an alternative to clay or Plaster of Paris idols which pollute the water bodies. After the festival, the Ganesha Idol can be planted and watered. The environment will not be affected by the seeds.
All these activities reinforce our responsibility to create a sustainable environment. Sevalaya, which was founded in 1995, has been recognized with many awards. Sevalaya transformed many villages from child labor to 100% literacy. Sevalaya not only educates underprivileged children to lift them from poverty but also makes them responsible citizens.
I was one of the cofounders. Sevalaya USA, a non-profit that works with Sevalaya Chennai to support the education and development of children who are underprivileged. We are a nonprofit in the bay area that wants to help our local communities. Every year, we hold a fundraiser to support local shelters like The San Jose Family ShelterThe Community Services AgencyMountain View: Donate pillows, comforters sheets, bath mats and blankets to the Mountain View Food Bank.
We also offer assistance to communities affected by natural calamities. After The Tubbs fireIn 2017, we donated 400 lbs of food items at the Redwood Empire Foodbank in Santa Rosa. During The Camp FireWe donated blankets, pillows and sleeping bags to families who were in need of them in 2018. Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Shelter in Chico, CA and fundraising to support a school completely destroyed by the fire in Butte County.
As we are celebrating our fifth anniversary this April, we hope to do more for our community…
Anandi LakshmikanthanRetired software engineer. Sevalaya USA was founded by her. She tutors immigrant and refugee children and women in the bay area. She has also written reviews and short stories. She enjoys hiking in the Bay Area’s parks and open spaces preserves.
