Help Us Teach 300 Kids

Vidya Vanam, an educational initiative of the Bhuvana Foundation, is a school for tribal and underprivileged children in Anaikatti, a village on the outskirts of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The school, which began in 2007 with 20 children, has grown to a strength of 300. Two batches have successfully completed their Std 10 exams and have gone on to pursue their academic dreams in other institutions in the city of Coimbatore. The third batch of Std. 10 will take their board exams in early 2019.

The school believes in giving children a fear-free environment, which is the only way to foster learning. The culture, language and the way of life of the communities to which the children belong are incorporated into the curriculum. The school follows a tri-lingual teaching environment up to class 4 so that the move to English is a smoother process. The school follows a theme-based interdisciplinary methodology and curriculum.  Children from the tribal communities are not charged while others pay a very nominal sum.  

The school's biggest event is Project Day in December every year. This is based on a theme, through which all subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Languages and Art are taught. Last year, for the theme Time, the Chief Guest was Mr. M. A. Baby, a former Education Minister of Kerala. In 2016, when the theme was Arts, the chief guest was Vidwan T.M. Krishna, well-known Carnatic musician, researcher and 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner.

This year the theme is Food and the children explore how all subjects are connected to food. The chief guest will be a person connected with the theme.

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The total requirement for project day is Rs. 2,00,000 and the break up is as follows:

Stationary and art material 80,000
Teaching aids relevant to topic 1,00,000
Costumes Rs.20,000