-------------------------------------------------- Not-for-Profit Developmental and Charitable Organizations in Tamil Nadu V. Joseph S. Mohan and V. Amalan Stanley December 4, 1995 This is an incomplete list of organizations in Tamil Nadu engaged in developmental work in the educational, cultural, and social areas and charitable work. We put this list together to facilitate those of us living away from our homeland becoming involved in helping that land, which is so much a part of us. We urge each of you affiliated to Tamil Nadu in any way to choose a group that appeals to you and participate in its work. Literacy, Education, and Science Awareness ------------------------------------------ ** Name of organization: Tamil Nadu Ariviyal Iyakkam (Tamil Nadu Science Forum, TNSF) Kind of organization: Registered non-profit public organization. Objectives: To spread science awareness among the newly literate. To popularize science among the young. Activities: Publishes Tamil monthly science magazines, Thulir and Siragu, for the young. Publishes an English science bimonthly Jantar Mantar. Publishes books on aspects of science and technology issues that are closely related to local needs, for example, on proper use of pesticides, water pollution, etc. Ways to participate: Donate money (US tax-free). Subscribe to their magazines on behalf of schools in Tamil Nadu (Rs. 45 per school per year). Contribute articles to the magazines. Address: 7 ARK Colony, First Floor, Eldams Road, Alwarpet, Madras 600 018 Phone: +44-45-7623 USA contact: Srinivasan Raman, srinivasan@kenetech.com, 510-455-3252 (work). Comments: Affiliated with All India People's Science Network. ** Name of organization: Arivoli Iyakkam (Total Literacy Campaign, TLC) Kind of organization: Volunteer network (with some support from the state government). Objectives: Eradicate illiteracy. Activities: Adult education classes conducted throughout Tamil Nadu by a state-wide volunteer network. 100% literacy achieved in 5 districts; 3 more to follow. Started a new experimental school in one district. Ways to participate: Donate money (US tax-free) through TNSF. Volunteer your time, if you can spend a few months in Tamil Nadu. Address: Administrative offices are located in the district collectors' offices. Can be contacted through TNSF above. USA contact: Srinivasan Raman, srinivasan@kenetech.com, 510-455-3252 (work). Comments: Affiliated with Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samithi (BGVS). Tamil Studies ------------- ** Name of organization: Institute of Asian Studies Kind of organization: Research organization funded by membership dues and publication sales. Objectives: Devoted to comparative studies of the languages, literature, religion, philosophy and other disciplines of Asian cultural and literary sensibility. Activities: Conducts research on the areas above. Publishes research results as books. Publishes a half-yearly journal: Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies. Ways to participate: Become a member and receive their journal (Annual membership: $20. Life membership: $200. Institutional membership: $250). Purchase their publications. Address: 377, 10th East Street, Thiruvanmiyur, Madras 600 041 Phone: +44-41-6728, +44-492-5085 Fax: +44-41-9866 ** Name of organization: Tamil Development Department, Kuralagam Kind of organization: Address: Kuralagam, Madras 600 108 Phone: +44-534-1039, +44-534-0466 ** Name of organization: Tamil Nadu Text Book Society Address: 67 College Road, Madras 600 006 Phone: +44-827-8244, +44-827-6397 ** Name of organization: Ulaga Tamilaraychi Niruvanam (International Institute of Tamil Studies) Kind of organization: Indian Government Organization Objectives: To conduct research in Tamil and publish results. Activities: Publishes research books on Tamil literature and Tamilology mostly in Tamil and sometimes in English. Publishes a biannual bilingual journal "The Journal of Tamil Studies". Has published self-instructional books and audio-tapes for learning Tamil, an excellent resource for adults learning Tamil as a second language. Ways to participate: Become a member and receive their journal (Annual membership: $12. Life membership: $100. Institutional membership: $125). Purchase their publications. Address: CIT Campus, Adyar, TTTI Post, Madras 600 113 (Director: Annie Thomas) Phone: +44-235-0992, +44-235-2781 USA contact: V. Joseph S. Mohan (contact info at the end of this document) Social Awareness & Education ---------------------------- ** Name of organization: Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam Kind of organization: A social movement inspired by the vision of one Dr. M.S. Udhayamurthy. Objectives: Encourage the principled self improvement of the participants and their involvement in the development of the society they live in. Activities: Publishes a monthly magazine "Nambu Thambi Nammal Mudiyum". Dr. M.S. Udhayamurthy has written many Tamil books expounding his ideas. Ways to participate: Subscribe to their magazine (Rs. 15 per year). Address: 50 Kannadhasan Road, T. Nagar, Madras 600 017 Phone: +44-44-1549 ** Name of organization: Valampuri Sangam Kind of organization: Private charitable trust Year established: 1993 Objectives: To help build better communities by people working together on locally focused grassroots projects at the village level and at the ward level in towns and cities. Activities: To develop resources for supporting such grassroots projects in the following areas: environmental improvement, literacy, science education, public and personal health. Execute environmental awareness and improvement projects and workshops. Organize community self-improvement projects. Support educational organizations such as TNSF by subscribing to their magazines for schools in Nagapattinam district. Ways to participate: Share ideas and resources. Develop and implement projects cooperatively with us. Address: V. Amalan Stanley (contact info at the end of this document) USA contact: V. Joseph S. Mohan (contact info at the end of this document) Charitable Work --------------- Name of organization: Amar Seva Sangam Kind of organization: Non-profit organization carrying out voluntary work. Objectives: Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Activities: Construction of shelters for the handicapped, medical camps and eye camps for the handicapped, school, child adoption scheme, etc. Ways to participate: - "Kamadhenu scheme"- under this plan, with a Rs 2500/- donation, the donor feeds polio-affected children in the rehabilitation centre. (This amount is deposited, and the interest, used to meet recurring expenses). - "Sponsor A Day" (Rs 500/-) - "Sponsor a child" (Rs 300 p.m.) - "Milk per child" (Rs 50 p.m.) - "Food per child" (Rs 150 p.m.) - "Education per child" (Rs 100 p.m.) Address: Sulochana Gardens, Ayikudy, Tamil Nadu, 627 852. Phone: +91-4633-8360, +91-4633-8370 ** Name of organization: INVOSAT (Infants Voluntary Society) Kind of organization: Registered, not-for-profit charitable organization. Year established: 1991 Objectives: To help young abandoned children (from infants to 18 years of age, both boys and girls) to cope up with the cruel pressures of life. Activities: Invosat works specifically with rag picking children in three districts of Tamilnadu, Madurai, Dharmapuri and Sambuvarayan. It helps the children to come out of abject poverty, giving evening classes, helping them to find, instead of rag-picking in the dirt, other ways and means to live as dignified human beings. Ways to participate: Make a contribution, either directly to Invosat address in India or here to the US contact as below. Please make cheque payable to Invosat, Dharmapuri. Address: Invosat, c/o Arulsamy - Project Co-Ordinator, A-3, Thally Hudco, Hosur, Dharmapuri District, Tamilnadu, 635109. USA contact: Dr. Chris Peri Ph.D (associated with Loyola University, Chicago) 1055, W.Granville, #1201, Chicago, IL. 60660, cperian@orion.it.luc.edu, 312-761-7822, fax: 312-508-2319. ** Name of organization: Karunai Illam Trust Kind of organization: Private charitable trust funded by well-wishers in New Zealand. Objectives: To provide a home for children from destitute or dysfunctional families. Activities: Runs a children's home for 34 children at Nilakottai. Ways to Participate: Donate money. Help with email connection and Tamil word processing software. Address: In Tamil Nadu: Mahatma Karunai Illam, 272 E B Colony, By Pass Road, Nilakottai 624 208, Dindigul Anna Dist, Tamil Nadu. In New Zealand: Jean Watson, Karunai Illam Trust, 41 Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, Wellington, New Zealand. Email: jean@actrix.gen.nz Comments: The children are brought up in the context of their own culture and there is no attempt to covert their religion. We hope that as well as educating the children, we will in a small way, build a bridge between the two cultures, New Zealand & Tamil Nadu. ** Name of organization: Sivanandha Illam Kind of organization: Private trust Objectives: Help the indigent. Activities: Houses about 200 orphaned children and 25 elderly. Runs a hostel and a school. Ways to participate: Donate money. Address: 20 Kambar Street, Thambaram East, Madras 600 059 Comments: Well-known in Tamil Nadu. Depends on funding from the general public. ** Name of organization: SOS Children's villages of India - Chatnath Homes Kind of organization: Social voluntary charitable organization Year established: 1960's Objectives: Care, upbringing and reintegration of destitutes, abandoned and orphaned children back into society. Activities: Currently looking after 139 children at our village. Ways to participate: Donate money. Sponsor a child for Rs. 3600/year, educate a child for Rs. 600/year, or give a one-time donation. Address: "VILLAGE", 13, Professor's Colony, 1st Main Road, Tambaram East, Madras 600 059. Phone: +44-235-5061 USA contact: V. Jeyakesavan, jey@bnr.ca, 214-669-0928. Comments: SOS is an international organization, managing over 220 villages throughout the world. Indian Headquarters: SOS Children's villages of India, A-38 Kailash Colony, New Delhi 110 048. In USA: SOS Children's Villages USA, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Box 800, Washington D.C. 20006. ** Name of organization: Udhavum Karangal Kind of organization: Private charitable one-man organization. Objectives: Help the indigent. Activities: Takes care of about 50 orphaned children and elderly. Ways to participate: Donate money. Address: 460 NSK Nagar, Madras 600 016 Comments: Has a good reputation for honest charitable work. Depends on funding from the general public. Any suggestions? ---------------- This list is obviously a partial list. Suggestions for including other similar organizations will be appreciated, but only organizations whose work you know of personally and will vouch for. Please contact one of us with the basic information on any organization not included in the list above using the template below (partial information is OK). If possible, include any brochures, fliers, catalogs, and sample work from the organization itself. Send them to us: V. Joseph S. Mohan at 261, Parkside Drive, Palo Alto, California 94306, USA. Phone 415-856-0882; email mohan@mri.com V. Amalan Stanley at Valampuri Sangam, Triveni Apartments, I B, Block III, Kuppam Beach Road, Thiruvanmiyur, Madras 600 018, India. Phone +44-41-1523. Template for submitting information on organizations: ** Name of organization: Kind of organization: Year established: Objectives: Activities: Accomplishments: Ways to participate: Address: Phone: Fax: Email: USA contact: Comments: