Meeting Needs has funded the cost of building a classroom and library for children in two villages in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Working through the Sri Aurobindo Society, the building will provide a sheltered learning environment for around 300 children at a cost of just £5,000.

Sri Aurobindo Society’s SARVAM project is working in Poothurai and Perambai with nearly 7,000 people from economically disadvantaged communities. The work is administrated through 15 coordinators from the villages.

While much of the current teaching takes place in the open air, this cannot be done in the rainy season. About 100 children will benefit in the morning/evening tuition classes every day. Regular informal gatherings of about 150 children will provide a platform to enthuse and motivate children to learn in an atmosphere of joy. The building will serve as a basic auditorium where cultural, fine arts and crafts programmes will be organised and educational film shows will be conducted. During the day it will be used as a meeting and activity centre for community workers, women and youth.

MIMN’s Peter Rand MBE said: “We are delighted to help the society with this project that assists the education of needy children – particularly because of the involvement of Subhash Thaker of Taj Hotels.”