Organic Farming
Organic farming is the best alternative to the conventional method using chemical fertilizers. Moreover, organic farming is based on similar principles underlying our traditional methods of agriculture. Organic agriculture meets the needs of humans without any harm to the environment. We have implemented organic farming in our campus which serves as a model for NGOs and others to cultivate in tune with nature.
We use bio fertilizers for the enrichment of cow dung manure and use it as a fertilizer for our farms to replace chemical fertilizers. Simple aerobic fermentation converts this biomass to organic manure. We conduct regular workshops to propagate organic farming. Organic farming is taught to our agricultural students also even though it is not covered in the syllabus.
Wealth From Waste
Sevalaya campus at Kasuva village is a green zone! We educate the children about living in harmony with the environment and implement these practices on the campus. We segregate the degradable and non degradable waste before converting the degradable waste into manure for our farms through the process of decomposition. The non-biodegradable waste is sent out for treatment. We produce rich manure for our farms and reduce the cost of cultivation and also use biogas instead of LPG in our Old Age Home, Boys’ Home and Girls’ Home. This is an example of how we not only teach our children but actually practice it to set and example for others.
Kottu Murasu
Kottu Murasu is Sevalaya’s cultural organization, functioning under Gandhiji’s team promoting rural development in India. “Kottu Murasu” is a Tamil expression taken from the Bharathiyar’s poem which means “beat the Drum”.
Children of the Kottu Murasu troupe fan out into villages every month and conduct cultural events like dramas, dances etc, to create awareness of various social issues. They are frequently invited by external institutions to display their talents and convey their message.
Craft Training Center
Craft education is an integral part of Sevalaya’s school curriculum where the children learn tailoring, making of decorative items etc. Sevalaya also conducts free training courses in tailoring for village women at two centers namely Kasuva and Vadanallur. The women trained in these centers are either self-employed or have procured employment in export units.
Games
Games are an essential part of our curriculum. Our students excel in sports and games and romp home with respectable victories and prizes in district and state level competitions. Sevalaya School conducts an Annual Sports Day and distributes prizes with distinguished VIPs handing them over to the children. During Pongal festival we conduct Volleyball tournaments for village youth instead of the traditional Jallikattu.
Gaushala
Vinobhaji Gaushala is a haven for cows where Sevalaya rears cows which provide good milk for everyone on campus. Sevalaya also protects cows that have out-lived their period of “utility” and will otherwise be destined for the slaughter-house. The quality milk produced is used for our children and senior citizens.
Medical Camps
In association with many leading hospitals in Chennai, Sevalaya took experts and specialist doctors to the interior villages, organized many camps besides camps in the Sevalaya hospital. Each camp had hundreds of beneficiaries for free surgeries and medicines. Many spectacles were distributed free of cost. Significantly, many villagers were detected having cancer and hepatitis and treatment was organized with the help of city hospitals.
