Auroville is home to dozens of village outreach programs, each with a unique focus. This page features profiles of the many different programs. To learn more or designate a donation to a specific program, just scroll down and click the “Learn More” or “Donate” buttons next to their profile.
Or, if you’d like to make a general donation in support of the outreach schools, you can use this donation form. Your contribution will go to the Outreach School Board, a collaborative group made up of members from the various outreach education programs.
A regular donation of $20/month supports a child's education A single donation of $240 supports a child for a year
Village Outreach Programs
As Auroville has grown and prospered, the standard of living and scope of opportunities for the people in the neighboring villages have grown as well. And as the nature of the challenges in the villages have shifted, from access to food, clean water, and other basic necessities to alcoholism, waste management, and loss of cultural practices and traditions, the village outreach programs have expanded and shifted their focus. There is more emphasis today on empowerment and cultural preservation, and quality education from primary to senior secondary levels that include leadership development and sharing the Auroville’s multicultural values, artistic expression, and free thinking.
There is no longer widespread extreme poverty in the villages around Auroville. But the need for bridges of friendship and collaboration that connect hearts and aspirations is as important as ever. Many of Auroville’s biggest challenges, like depleted aquifers, urban encroachment from Pondicherry, air pollution from garbage incinerators, and drift from pesticide spraying, all require strong relationships and trust. If Auroville is seen as a self-interested gated community, these critical issues will remain insoluble. The future depends on the realization of the Mother’s words from 52 years ago:
“A relationship that is not only cordial but friendly with the inhabitants of the neighbouring village is absolutely indispensable. For the realization of Auroville the first step is to establish a true human fraternity – any shortcoming in this regard is a grave mistake which can compromise the whole work.”
Formal Education
Aikiyam School
Aikiyam School provides a progressive kindergarten, primary, and intermediate education for children from Kuilapalayam and other Tamil villages geographically connected to Auroville. The school’s mission is to maintain a creative and joyful atmosphere, where the uniqueness of each child is respected and nurtured.
Contact: Martin Littlewood, martinl@auroville.org.in
Isaiambalam
Isaiambalam School is a primary school for children from kindergarten to 8th standard. The school utilizes many alternative teaching techniques including Glenn Doman, Phonics, and Rishi Valley. Isaiambalam believes that children and teachers should together create a collaborative learning community where both the teacher and children are partners in learning and growth.
Contact: Sanjeev Ranganathan, sanjeev.ranganathan@gmail.com
Kuyilappalayam Trust School
Kuyilappalayam School Trust was formed to promote the good quality of education in and around Auroville area, which covers almost 30 villages. The sole purpose of the Trust is to set up a school that fulfills the educational need of these village children.
New Era Secondary School
New Era Secondary School (NESS) provides education for students in grades 1st through 8th. NESS strives to achieve higher standards of academic excellence through integral education and to bridge the wide diversity of society and culture that exist in the unique international township of Auroville and its surrounding village communities.
Contact: ness@auroville.org.in, ness.cbse@gmail.com
Oli School
Oli School was founded in 2011 to offer schooling for the pre-school and kindergarten level. They currently serve 120 children between 2 to 6 years of age from the Kuyilappalayam area and surrounding villages. Oli School caters to children of lower socioeconomic status by having only a symbolic fee. The teachers are trained in the Montessori tradition and offer physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual stability for their students.
Contact: Marie-Claire Barsotti, olischoolsindia@gmail.com
Udavi School
Udavi School offers standard education from kindergarten to 10th grade to over 220 students from the Edaiyanchavadi area. Udavi School utilizes a child centered approach to ensure that learning is joyful. The traditional hierarchical systems in the school have been abolished and about 15 Aurovilians work on a full time or a part- time basis in the school. Udavi’s aim is to create a loving and respectful relationship between the teachers and the students; the feeling that the school is meant to serve the needs of the students is evident to our students.
Contact: Davaselvy, udavischool@auroville.org.in
Informal Education
Arulvazhi
Arulvazhi Education Center has been catering to the educational and cultural needs of children aged 3 to 18 years from the neighboring village. Over the years it has expanded its scope to include women’s education and also serve as a platform for interaction with the delegates from different parts of Tamilnadu and Auroville. The aim is to provide value-based education in an atmosphere of simplicity, beauty, joy, and harmony wherein the children can develop naturally.
Contact: Varadharajan, arulvazhi@auroville.org.in
Auroville Sports Resource Center (AVSRC)
AVSRC is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in and around Auroville through sports education. Coordination of regular trainings, coaching camps, friendly & goodwill matches and tournaments are part of AVSRC’s on-going efforts towards human unity through sports and subsequent transformation of the human species. Strengthening the relation between Auroville and its surrounding villages is another goal, which we try to reach through a growing communication based on the bilateral interest in sports.
Contact: Jothi, jothi@auroville.org.in
Auroville Film Festival Educational Outreach Program
Auroville Film Festival Educational Outreach Program teaches filmmaking in schools in Auroville and the bio-region, as well as provides free equipment to teachers and students. Students are able to engage in creative expression with the language of digital media, use of digital imagery, and filmmaking.
Contact: aurovillefilmfestival@auroville.org.in
Deepam (School for children with disabilities)
Deepam is a therapy centre for children and youth with special needs. Deepam, meaning light, aims to bring light into the lives of the children that we serve. We provide physio, occupational and speech therapy for children from more than 20 surrounding villages. We also provide basic education, healthcare and healthy food which supports our children to grow and shine.
Contact: Angelika, deepam@auroville.org.in
Isai Ragam
Isai Ragam means “Melody of Music”. Its purpose is to offer a space for kids from challenging family circumstances to come and do their homework, learn basic computer skills, and experiment and express together in the modalities of music and dance. The outcomes of the project are improved skills in English, computer and math. And music and dance support brain development and self confidence.
Contact: Brigitte, isairagam2021@gmail.com
Malarchi Boarding School
Malarchi is a family-style boarding facility for children from the local village outreach school, Aikiyam, who need more stability and support than their families can provide. Usually they are identified by their teachers as students with great potential who come from a challenging home situation, such as single parent homes, or some other family struggle like alcoholism and/or poverty. The kids stay at Malarchi from age of about 9 until 17, when many of them go to college. Malarchi usually helps its kids apply to college and finds funding for college too.
Contact: malarchi@auroville.org.in
New Colors
New Colors is a learning and social support center, providing free after-school programs for underprivileged children. As a grassroots organization, it combines education, sustainable community development and individual empowerment. Volunteers are welcome to just come and be as they are, as just their communication with children will give them new perspectives about the future and the world. New Colors values every person’s quality, personality and uniqueness within themselves. Changing, adapting and evolving to meet the needs of the village community, New Colors is a different “color” every day.
Payanam Cycle Trip
Payanam cycling organizes cycle trips and student camps aimed at bringing a change of consciousness through learning the culture, wealth, and the resources of Auroville and the AV bioregion. Payanam is run by Auroville youth and is supported by Auroville Botanical Gardens and SAIIER. Through these trips children develop stamina, will power, and explore the leadership quality in them. They practice team work, adapt to changing conditions (weather) and experience a new adventure.
Contact: Sivaoli, payanamcycling@auroville.org.in
Sankalpa: Art Journeys
Sankalpa means “intention” or “affirmation” in Sanskrit, which is a powerful tool when combined with art making. Art with intention, and as a bridge between us, provides safe spaces and resources for original self-expression. Sankalpa aims to promote insight, awareness, healing and cross-cultural connection.
Contact: sankalpa.art@gmail.com
Thamarai Learning Projects
Thamarai is part of Auroville Village Action Trust, which aims to empower children, youth, and women of the villages. Thamarai runs an after-school project in two villages (Annai Nagar and Edanyanchavadi) for over 120 children and offers natural health care education, sports, community leadership and capacity development programs. Thamarai aspires to bring well-being through quality education and address inadequate literacy skills, poor health and social issues such as debt, domestic violence and addiction.
Contact: Bridget Horkan, thamarai@auroville.org.in
Udayam Educational Centre
Udhayam is part of Auroville Village Action Trust, which aims to empower children, youth, and women of the villages. Udhayam runs an after-school project for over 30 children and offers natural health care education, sports, community leadership and capacity development programs. Udhayam aspires to bring well-being through quality education and address inadequate literacy skills, poor health and social issues such as debt, domestic violence and addiction.
Environmental Education
Auroville Botanical Gardens
Auroville Botanical Gardens offers Environmental Education on Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest and hosts school visits, as well as adult and teacher trainings. The Gardens receive schools from all over India with the focus on creating happy memories associated with the natural world. Local women’s groups participate in a mutual exchange of plant knowledge, offering their own as their own interest is keen and practical.
Contact: botanical@auroville.org.in
EcoPro
EcoPro offers services and educational programs in environmental health and public hygiene. EcoPro works in schools and colleges, as well as villages and cities, to collaborate with all people towards environment-friendly practices and behavior. Their teaching and technologies emphasize the interconnectedness of the bio-sphere and our lives in the management of soil and water, e.g. in wastewater treatment and re-use, in sanitation and bio waste management, and in farming, nutrition, and health.
Contact: ecopro@auroville.org.in
Sadhana Forest
Sadhana Forest introduces a growing number of people to sustainable living, food security through ecological transformation, wasteland reclamation, and veganism. Our energy and resources are focused on the creation of a vibrant, indigenous Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF). The main aim of this ecological project is to support the local rural villages. By retaining water and filling the aquifer, Sadhana Forest India allows the villagers to cultivate their food and prevents exodus towards nearby city slums.
Contact: india@sadhanaforest.org
Solar Village
Solar Village, an initiative of Auroville Consulting, seeks to empower rural India with clean, reliable, affordable electricity, ultimately fostering quality of life and sustainable development through their programs. Solar Village accomplishes this through the installation of decentralized solar power plants in villages through socially equitable and inclusive participatory processes that result in 24×7 access to clean, green energy.
Contact: info@aurovilleconsulting.com
Vocational Programs
Auroville Institute of Applied Technology
AIAT seeks to establish a learning environment that provides a broad range of vocational educational choices with access to contemporary technologies and opportunities for a holistic personal development through advanced courses, guest lectures, Extra Curriculum activities and Dual System of Training. AIAT contributes to the development of the bioregion through empowering youth with skills for a better livelihood.
Contact: Office.ais@auroville.org.in
Auroville Earth Institute
Auroville Earth Institute is one of the world’s top centers for excellence in earth architecture, working in 35 countries to promote and transfer knowledge about earth architecture. The project aims to revive traditional skills of raw earth construction with the modern technologies of stabilized earth.
Contact: info@earth-auroville.com
Reach for the Stars Scholarship Fund
The aim of Reach for the Stars is to break the cycle of poverty and social deprivation by tapping the tremendous promise and potential of young people by providing scholarships for university/college education.
Contact: Stephanie Bussman, Stephanie.Bussmann@gmx.de
Stem Land
Stem Land is a center that works on Science and Math through creating and building, rather than didactic learning. Students learn computer programming, electrical engineering, basic math and physics through experimentation. Through this constructivist approach, students become responsible for their learning, work with peers, and demonstrate the concepts they learned through projects.
Contact: Sanjeev Ranganathan, sanjeev.ranganathan@gmail.com
Sustainable Livelihood Institute
The Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI) was created in 2015 with the goal of spreading Auroville’s knowledge of sustainable living to rural communities in Tamil Nadu. SLI has designed, organized, and implemented various educational programs for community members and officials of the Rural Development Department to achieve this goal. Attendees leave these programs with knowledge and hands-on experience in the fields of perspective building, skill building and management.
Contact: sli@auroville.org.in
Cultural Heritage
Ilaignarkal Education Center
Ilaignarkal Education Center operates in the field of educational and vocational training, helping village workers and their children around Auroville to learn and enhance their basic skills and knowledge base. The Center provides open classrooms, multi-purpose hall, garden space and anytime learning possibilities.
Contact: tamil@auroville.org.in
Kuilai Creative Center
Kuilai Creative Center hosts extra-curricular activities, such as Silambam, Bharatha Naatityam, yoga, and music. Evening arts and Craft sessions are provided, as well as physical indoor and outdoor games. The Center aims to develop self motivational skills through such programs in order to strengthen one’s hidden talents and skills. Kuilai Creative Center ultimately works to create a bridge between Auroville and the Bioregion to improve their relationship through its event offerings.
Contact: Selvaraj, kuilaicreativecentre@auroville.org.in
Mohanam Cultural Heritage
Mohanam is a community hub dedicated to preserving the traditional culture of rural villages surrounding Auroville. They organize various workshops and self-help groups, such as Auro Ayur Siddha Integral Wellness Program. Mohanam seeks to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. It reflects the beauty, traditions, innovations and the continuing evolution of South Indian arts and culture.
Contact: mohanamprogram@auroville.org.in
Health Care
Auroville Dental Centre for Education Research and Rural Action (ADCERRA)
ADCERRA’s rural program was designed to address the absence of dentists in these rural communities, focusing on education, prevention and basic care while prioritizing children and educating them for long term impact. Our objectives were simple: increase access to basic dental care with emphasis on preventive treatment using locally trained dental health workers. In addition, provide information and awareness about oral health with a systematic educational program.
Contact: Suriyagandhi, harisurya@auroville.org.in
Auroville Health Center
Auroville Health Center (AVHC) provides medical care, laboratory facilities, and a pharmacy to residents and guests of Auroville, as well as the local population. In addition, AVHC operates six community health outreach facilities in surrounding villages for basic, continuous medical care. The Health Center is responsible for training local women as village health care workers to support their own villages through first aid, home advice, and basic health education.
Contact: avhealth@auroville.org.in
Women’s Empowerment
Auroshakhti Awakening House
Auroshakthi is a women community organization based around the villages of Auroville. Auroshakthi aims to improve the lives of marginalized women through education, life skills and counseling. The center tries to create a safe space for women to express themselves openly and empower local women as future entrepreneurs.
Contact: auroshakthiawakening@gmail.com
Auroville Village Action Group
Established in 1983, AVAG is an NGO committed to integrated grassroots community building with the villages surrounding Auroville in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. AVAG offers an integrated and multifaceted program that promotes solidarity and cooperation, and illuminates issues of gender and caste discrimination, which underlie the traditional social and economic structures of the villages.
Contact: Anbu, avagoffice@auroville.org.in
Eco Femme
Eco Femme is a women-led social enterprise founded in 2010. Eco Femme’s goal is to create environmental and social change through revitalizing menstrual practices that are healthy, environmentally sustainable, culturally responsive and empowering. The Unit produces and sells washable cloth pads, provides menstrual health education and opens dialogue on menstruation all along the way.
Contact: Kathy, kathy@ecofemme.org
Life Education Center
Life Education Centre (LEC) believes that women need more than economic empowerment to realize their true potential. LEC follows a unique model by providing women an environment that blends learning, progressing and earning. It offers opportunities for conscious development of the body, mind and spirit through activities that include yoga, Aviva, group discussions, art, therapy and collective events. LEC is home to the social enterprise SAKHI that enables livelihood for the women through sales of their conscious, hand-made creations.
Mirra Women’s Group
Mirra Women’s Group was started in 2002 as part of AV Arts Services. The aim of Mirra Women’s Group is to bring together women of Auroville, the bio-region, and newcomers through music, art, dance, sports, and education. In response to the pandemic, the Women’s Group has increased their efforts to create a safe space of healing on the physical, mental, and emotional levels.
Contact: Grace, grace@auroville.org.in
Wellpaper
The primary goal of WELL is to empower local village women with skills to build, manage and maintain self-sustaining units. The women receive training, guidance and support in product development, market and team management, and personal development. All Wellpaper products are hand-made and Eco-friendly, transforming recycled newspaper into art and accessories. Over time, the women’s groups have developed into autonomous units, making their own business decisions towards their goal of financial independence. Today, some of the WELL women are conducting the training workshops themselves to reach other local women and small business units.
Contact: wellpaper@auroville.org.in
