Mataji Fund Giving Program
Phase I: The Urmila Amrit Desai Shrishuvihar
Shrishuvihar is Gujarati for “school for young children.” In the West, we know it as a pre-school for youngsters aged 4-6. Such a school is needed in Halol and will be built with Mataji funds adjacent to the Nutan Vidya School (grades 1-12), where 3,500 students are helped by the Kripalu Seva Ashram (KSV). This non-profit organization has been in existence for 35 years, and was named in honor of Bapuji. The senior trustee, Govardhan Parikh, is a boyhood friend of Gurudev’s as well as a life-long disciple of Bapuji, and has overseen the fund since 1972.The KSV will distribute the funds for the Mataji pre-school.
Site of the planned Urmila Amrit Desai Shrishuvihar on property independent but connected to the Nutan Vidya School.
The KSV has provided tuition, clothing, supplies and medical assistance for these school children of Halol. In September 2007, construction will begin on the new pre-school to be named in honor of Mataji. Watch this site for progress photos as construction gets underway.
In August 2007, Gurudev was honored at a ceremony at the school building site, where he met with the trustees of the KSV, including Govardhan P. Parikh, right, and the president of the Nutan School, Mukundbhai P. Shah, center. In the back row are Renu and Ravindra, members of the Amrit Yoga community, who accompanied Gurudev on his India tour this summer.
Children from the Nutan School, who attended the ceremony.
Phase II: Home for Widows
The second project identified for the Mataji Fund is a private home for
widows and small children. The large home would also have adjoining property
where the blended families of women and children could grow their own
vegetables and tend their own livestock, providing them with food and self
sufficiency. The Trustees of the Mataji Living Legacy are working with the
Kripalu Seva Ashram to locate such a property in Halol for these deserving
women and children.
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