I just got back from visiting the Sakthi Foundation schools in Porayar, Tamil Nadu, India. This was an important meeting for myself and the school administrators.It was our first meeting to review the plans for the proposed new school.
Mr. Venkatesh is the school administrator and his grandfather started the school over 60 years ago. We traveled to see the 5 acres of land that his family plans to donate for the new kindergarten to 12th school. Here is Mr. Venkatesh and myself standing on the land dedicated for the new school. There is plenty of room for a sport field/playground, garden and the new school building.
We also looked over the architectural rendition of the school and the proposed preliminary blueprints of the two story building that includes 14 classrooms, library, computer room, 2 science labs, recreation hall, exam room, staff room, office and indoor toilets! The total size of the building will be around 15,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate around 250 students. Kitchen facilities will be constructed outside the building and the children will take their lunch in the courtyard. See below.
I met with the students and they asked enthusiastically when the new school would be completed. I explained that a lot of people in the USA, Canada and other countries would be contributing to make the school a reality and we would do our best to make it happen quickly.
Total costs for building the the new school will be $331,249. This is about $23 per square foot. We will accomplish the building in two phases. First phase will be to build the ground floor to accommodate 1-10th grade. The 1-10 grade students will move in immediately when the ground floor is finished. The second floor will be constructed as funds accumulate. See one of our meetings below.
While I was there I toured the village of Porayar. Our kids come from the poorest families and the general living conditions are less than basic. There is a water shortage in the town and water is brought in by truck a couple of times a week and there is a crowd to greet it. See photos below of school children's neighborhood and the water truck.
Despite all their challenges, the students are bright, lively and enthusiastic. The students and teachers prepared a wonderful cultural program at both the lower and upper schools to entertain me. I will highlight that in the next segment.
I have a big job ahead of me and I am hoping that you can help me through contributions, networking and prayers!
