Orphanage and Youth Hostel (Amrita Niketanam and Amrita Balamandiram)

The Amrita Niketanam (Orphanage) and the Amrita Balamandiram (Hostel for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribal Children) in Parippally, in the Kollam district of Kerala, serve more than 500 children from the most disadvantaged sections of society. They are provided with free food, accommodations, schooling, and vocational and cultural training.

Report from Amrita Niketanam

The Parippally Orphanage is a particularly poignant example of Amma's compassion for the needy and suffering. In 1989, when Amma directed the M.A.Math to take over this orphanage, it was operating under extreme dilapidated conditions. There were inadequate facilities for sanitation, a definite lack of sufficient food and nutrition for the children, not enough clothing, and dark, dirty and cramped housing. These children were neglected physically and emotionally. Volunteer renunciates from the math helped renovate the orphanage. Old buildings were replaced or upgraded. Old latrines were torn down to create an open space, the ground was leveled to install a huge underground septic tank and new drains. Special wide metal-framed bunk beds were hand made at the Amrita Math workshop for two new dormitories for the older girls. Sources of hygienic drinking water were provided and smokeless ovens installed in the kitchen.

Today the orphanage is home to 570 boys and girls of which about 500 are from tribal and scheduled caste families. Many of the tribal children have families, however, the parents are too poor to take care of the children. They come to the orphanage to receive hope, wholesome meals, loving care and the education that is not available in their home regions. The orphanage children receive academic training as well as lessons in basic health, yoga, art and culture. They are provided three nutritious meals a day and adequate clothing and medical attention. All of these improvements have greatly contributed to the basic material needs of these children; however, what is most remarkable is the non-material help related to their educational, cultural and spiritual needs. Above all, the children have found in Amma a loving mother who gives them love and compassion. Through their loving relationship with her and the many Ashram residents who are dedicating most of their working hours to their education and general well-being, a sense of security and belonging has been instilled in the children's hearts.

Paripally Educational Center

The orphanage children have won several prizes for their commendable performances in academics as well as in state and district level sports competitions. Both boys and girls are taught the ancient temple art of Kerala Panchavadyam. Those who have received training from the Amrita Arts and Cultural Center at Parippally have already presented several performances in various parts of the state.

The healthy, happy environment that now exists at the orphanage has helped them to better concentrate on their studies, and they now get good grades both in class work and on examinations.

Amrita Sanskrit Higher Secondary School (ASHSS)

Amrita Sanskrit Higher Secondary School (ASHSS) at Parippally in Kerala has the unique distinction of offering both Sanskrit and Malayalam language classes.

Malayalam is the native language of Kerala and Sanskrit is an ancient Hindu language, the original language of the Hindu scriptures. In 1992 when the Government first introduced higher secondary courses in the private sector, ASHSS was the only school offering Sanskrit as one of the optional languages for the XI and XII standards (grades). The school is unique in several ways. It is one of the few of its caliber in India where many of the students are from the poorest part of society- over 450 are from the scheduled castes and tribes. It is noteworthy that they have the opportunity to learn the language associated with India's priceless heritage. The percentage of those passing the S.S.L.C. (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) in the first batch of higher secondary students was 82%. In 1997, the percentage who passed was 92%, making ASHSS the second best school in the Kollam district. This was a remarkable achievement for a school where the majority of the students come from the most socially and economically disadvantaged areas.

Of the 650 students currently studying at ASHSS, about 100 needy students at the school are receiving free tuition for Sanskrit learning. To enable gifted children from the poor levels of society to receive a higher education, the M.A.Math has instituted the Amrita Scholarships program.

Amrita Arts and Cultural Research Center

Amrita Arts and Cultural Research Center is the M.A.Math's organizational wing for the promotion of traditional folk art and instrumental music, primarily among children between the ages of ten to eighteen. This program was inaugurated at Parippally in 1990.

The major project undertaken by the Center is a three year condensed course in "Panchavadyam." Panchavadyam is a temple orchestra consisting of five instruments, some of which are unique to Kerala, and traditionally taught only to male members of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins. The traditional course took over 12 years of rigorous training under a master in the Gurukula style of schooling. The M.A.Math took a revolutionary step in condensing the course and opening the learning of this divine art form to girls and to tribal children. The students who have taken the course have enjoyed immense improvement in their social behavior, moral and ethical values and general performance in academics. This was an added bonus to the original intention of achieving professional excellence in the field of performing arts. The center has consecutively won the second and third prize in state level interschool competitions, competing against traditionally trained teams. The children also perform many public programs. The Amrita Arts and Cultural Research Center was officially recognized by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy in 1992-93.

Amrita Bhavanam Hostel

The tribal people are among the poorest and most exploited sector of society. To provide hope and the opportunity for a better life for the younger generation, Amrita Bhavanam, a hostel for tribal children, was founded in 1993. Children from various tribal groups in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are accommodated in the hostel. They are provided with housing, food and exceptional educational facilities, including training in computers.

Report from Paripally