About myself :
I am Dhanalaxmi G doing my MBA in ASB. I am the fourth daughter for my parents. My father is staunch believer of the fact that education is for life. And that end of education is character. I was born and brought up in Madipakkam, a suburb of Chennai. Madipakkam in last five years has seen so much of change. It has grown from sleepy little village to a place busing with activity. Nearness to IT road has made Madipakkam grow into a perfect residential area.
India, our beautiful country, with all its varied languages, customs, traditions, a country whose very mention reminds people of its rich diversity. It is a land of wonders and contradictions, an ancient land that has mastered high technologies, a single home to many cultures. This very same country of ours also has so many problems.. poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, child labor and many more. We all have been given the unique gift of education. There are parents who want to give their children the best possible education yet can’t because they have no money.
The first time I saw a village was in my 12th standard. The lush green fields and peaceful environment captivated me. Ottiyumbakkam, the village was nearly at a distance of 7 to 8kms from Chennai. A medical camp was being conducted in the village. I was given the task of sitting in the reception and taking down people’s name, address and other details so that it will be helpful for the doctor. My first thought when I went there was “don’t people have better jobs than waiting in line for hours together for a doctor?”. But as the word went round that a medical camp was being conducted in the village, people began to pour in. It amazed me to see the whole village standing there. From morning till late evening they sat patiently to see the doctor. Even as I was writing their names I started a conversation with them. They first talked about the cows, buffaloes, rains and harvest but slowly they started talking about the things lacking in their village namely hospital, proper primary school and many other things.
 It all started slowly with us visiting the village repeatedly for medical camps and food camps. We realized that the nearest school to that village was nearly 5-6kms away and the kids were all walking to the school everyday. The nearby village Arasankazhani also did not have any school facility. The villagers were stone crushers by profession and they after sometime because of lack of any other options were letting their children too join them at work. We started conducting small class sessions there, the enthusiasm with which the children came set us thinking. We wanted to do something more than just medical camps, and Balvikas sessions.
We wanted to bring our less privileged children to the mainstream by empowering them with value-based man making education and provide them a cherishable childhood in a home of love, care and discipline. With this vow and commitment, came into being, Sai Sankalp Charitable trust in October 2002. We have chosen 'Arasankazhani', a village about 8 km from Medavakkam, a suburb of Chennai, for our project. Arasankazhani is locked by small villages viz., Perumbakkam, Ottiyumbakkam. The project was called CANDLE.
It was like homecoming when Shobhana mam asked us if any are willing to take part in the village outreach program here in Ettimadai village. The enthusiasm of the children in coming to these classes energizes us. The easy affection the children show gives that warm feeling which we carry around the whole week waiting eagerly for the next Sunday to come. Sometimes I wonder who is teaching whom.
Now after two years the school is finally reaching a shape. Many a times we have been asked as to how can a group of young people build a school? There have been instances when it will be nothing more than a dream but every time we have been able to pull through because of some kind heart wanting to help us. What we always believe in is
“If I can ease one life in the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin,
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
–Emily Dickenson .
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