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Tamil Nadu · Est. April 2005 · Reg No. 296/05 vazhai.in

வாழை VAZHAI

Rural Education NGO · Tamil Nadu  ·  Krishnagiri · Dharmapuri · Villupuram

VAZHAI believes education is the path to a more equal society. We work towards a future where a child's opportunities are not decided by their village, background, or family income. We believe that when education becomes accessible and empowering for every child, lasting social change becomes possible.

Why We Exist

Twenty to thirty kilometres past Aiyur, deep in the forests of Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, government schools serve children who rarely appear in policy conversations about education equity.

Teachers commute hours each way through forest roads. Parents migrate for daily wages, sometimes taking their children along. Dropout is quiet — it doesn't announce itself.

VAZHAI is a rural education NGO that puts a trained, full-time School Companion inside each of these schools. Every single school day, the whole year to ensure foundational literacy.

We began in Dharmapuri and Villupuram. We are now expanding into Krishnagiri. One school at a time, one companion at a time — until no child in rural Tamil Nadu goes without support.

Impact at a Glance

500+
Students supported across
rural Tamil Nadu
19+
Years of unbroken
field presence
2 Districts
Served — Dharmapuri,
Villupuram & growing

In Their Own Words · 2025

நான் கஷ்டமான வாக்கியங்களை படிக்க சிரமப்படுவேன். பள்ளித் தோழர் தினமும் படிக்கவும் எழுதவும் உதவுகிறார்கள்.
I used to find difficult sentences hard to read. Our School Companion sits with us every day and helps us read and write better.
Student · Kodakarai Secondary School
வாழை நடத்திய career guidance session அட்டெண்ட் பண்ணதுக்கப்புறம், என்னென்ன படிப்புகள் இருக்குன்னு புரிஞ்சது.
After attending Vazhai's career guidance session, I finally understood what courses are available to me and what I can work towards.
Student · Kodakarai Secondary School
நானும் இந்த ஊர்ல தான் வளர்ந்தேன். தினமும் அவங்களோட இருந்து படிக்க உதவுறது எனக்கு ரொம்ப சந்தோஷம்.
Sevvanthi · School Companion, Kodakarai, 2025
Vazhai NGO life skills workshop for rural students in Dharmapuri
Skills workshop · Dharmapuri
Government school students learning with a Vazhai School Companion in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu
Kodakarai Secondary School · Krishnagiri
Rural government school students participating in a learning activity in Tamil Nadu
Learning in action · Government school, Tamil Nadu
500+
Students Supported
19+
Years on the Ground
2
Districts · Expanding
10
Schools Target · 2026
Active now — School Companion deployed at Kodakarai Secondary School, Krishnagiri, 2025.  Target for 2026: 10 rural government schools + one Field Coordinator.
Then · 2005–2024

Mentoring & Community Programs

  • Long-term mentoring for government school students
  • Life-skills, career, and communication workshops
  • Home visits to build family trust
  • Volunteer-driven programs in Dharmapuri & Villupuram
  • 500+ students supported across 19 years
Now · 2025 Onwards

Full-Time School Companions

  • One trained School Companion placed per rural school
  • Field Coordinators managing multiple schools
  • Focus: forest and hill-area government schools, Krishnagiri
  • Designed to scale — same model, more schools each year
  • Target: 10 schools covered by end of 2026
01
Employee · In-School · Full-time

School Companion

Lives and works alongside students in a remote government school. Builds foundational literacy, tracks attendance, and supports the headmaster — every day of the school year. Our first Companion at Kodakarai is from the same village as the students.
₹15,000–20,000 / month
02
Employee · Field · Full-time

Field Coordinator

Manages School Companions across multiple schools. Visits each school weekly, spots problems early, brings in career guidance experts, and identifies new schools ready for the program.
₹25,000–35,000 / month
03
Volunteer · Remote or On-site

Volunteer

Working professionals who give one day a month. You create learning materials, run career sessions, or mentor students online. No teaching degree needed — just your skills and willingness to show up.
Time, expertise & presence
Get Involved · Education Equity Starts Here

You can help
in three ways

Give your time as a volunteer, donate to support a School Companion's salary, or simply share Vazhai with someone who cares about rural education in Tamil Nadu. Every form of support keeps a child in school.

Spread the Word

Not ready yet?
Share Vazhai.

Knowing one person who might donate or volunteer is just as valuable. Sharing our work takes ten seconds — and could be the reason a child in Krishnagiri stays in school.

Link copied.
Vazhai NGO activity demonstrating education equity for rural government school students in Tamil Nadu
Our Story · Our Values · Our People

Who We Are

How We Started

VAZHAI is a registered NGO for government school students in rural Tamil Nadu, founded in April 2005 by first-generation college graduates from Presidency College, Chennai. They knew what it cost to be the first person in a family to reach higher education — and chose to lower that cost for the next generation.

Many of our team members grew up in the same conditions as the students we now serve. That lived understanding shapes how we speak, what we teach, and why we stay.

We were first-generation graduates ourselves. We knew the confusion, the lack of guidance, the moments where you almost gave up. We started Vazhai so other children wouldn't have to go through that alone.
Vazhai Founding Team · Presidency College, Chennai · Est. April 2005

What We Believe

Education equity is not a distant goal — it is a daily practice. VAZHAI believes that every child in rural Tamil Nadu deserves a fair shot at education, regardless of which village they were born in, how far their school is from a town, or what their parents do for a living.

Our team includes engineers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, and social workers. Between 2005 and 2024, we ran sustained mentoring programs across Dharmapuri and Villupuram districts, supporting over 500 students. In 2025, we shifted to a deeper model — placing full-time School Companions directly inside schools in Krishnagiri.

The Name: Vazhai

வாழை (Vazhai) is the Tamil word for the banana tree. We chose it deliberately. The banana tree gives completely — fruit, leaf, flower, stem, and root. It regenerates on its own. And every new shoot carries the same strength as the one before it.

That is what we want education to do for rural communities in Tamil Nadu: give fully, sustain itself, and carry forward from one generation to the next.

I

Generational Growth

A banana tree sends out new shoots that carry the same strength as the parent. One child who gets an education passes that possibility on to the next. That is the cycle we are building — in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, and beyond.
II

Complete Nourishment

Every part of the banana tree serves a purpose. Our program doesn't focus on one subject or one exam. We build literacy, confidence, career awareness, and community trust — because a child needs all of it to thrive.
III

Built to Last

The banana tree regenerates year after year without being replanted. Our School Companion model works the same way — one framework, many schools, sustained presence. Not a project. A permanent commitment to rural education equity.
A remote government school building in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu where Vazhai operates

What
We Do

Three roles. One mission. Getting trained, committed people into rural government schools in Tamil Nadu — and keeping them there, every day.
Employee · Full-time · In-School

School Companions

One per school
Present every school day
Weekly progress reports
Salary: ₹15,000–20,000/mo

A School Companion is Vazhai's most direct investment in a child. Based full-time inside a government school in a remote forest or hill area, they work alongside teachers, build trust with families, and make sure no student is quietly slipping through the cracks. Our first Companion at Kodakarai Secondary School, Krishnagiri (2025) grew up in the same village — and that local connection has made all the difference.

Reading, Writing & Speaking Mandatory — assessed 3× a year; target: 25% improvement or a score above 70%
Student Stage Speech Mandatory — every student speaks at least once a year; sessions are recorded and shared with Vazhai
Support the Headmaster Mandatory — take classes, assist in special sessions, help run school events
Baseline Assessment Mandatory — evaluate each student's starting level at the beginning of the year
Dropout Tracking Mandatory — identify absent students early; work with families to bring them back
Weekly & Annual Reports Mandatory — submit every Friday; full annual report at year-end
Home Visits — meet parents, build trust, understand what is keeping a child from school
Library & Reading Sessions — manage the school book corner; make reading a daily habit
Bridge Course — run focused catch-up lessons for students who are behind grade level
NMMS Preparation — guide eligible students through the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship process
Employee · Full-time · Field

Field Coordinators

Multi-school management
Weekly school visits
Program expansion
Salary: ₹25,000–35,000/mo

A Field Coordinator is the connective tissue of the program. They travel to each school weekly, check that School Companions have what they need, and bring in outside resources — career experts, skill training partners, inter-school competitions. They also scout new government schools ready to join the program.

Visit at least one school every week; review Companion reports on the ground Mandatory
Identify, visit, and document new rural schools for the program Mandatory
Train teachers and Companions in student level identification — three times a year Mandatory
Organise career guidance sessions in every partner school, every year Mandatory
Plan and run inter-school sports and cultural competitions Mandatory
Coordinate skill exposure visits for students — e.g., TVS plant tours Mandatory
Meet potential donors; support fundraising and CSR partnerships Mandatory
Keep the Vazhai volunteer network updated on all field developments
Volunteer · Remote or On-site

Vazhai Volunteers

Min. 1 day per month
Mostly remote
Open to all professionals
Friday calls weekly

Volunteers power everything that the field team cannot do alone. They create the materials School Companions use every day, open doors to careers students have never heard of, and expand the program's reach through their own professional networks. No teaching experience required — just your skills and a few hours a month.

Build and standardise student assessment materials using the AID India framework
Design school identification and field visit forms for Coordinators
Develop stage speech guides and confidence-building content for Companions
Lead career talks and exposure sessions — online or in person
Mentor students through National Children's Science Congress (NCSC) projects
Coach 10th standard students for the Ashok Leyland ITI Integrated Course
Run spoken English and communication skill sessions
Support fundraising, CSR outreach, and payroll giving programs for corporate partners

Where
We
Work

Between 2005 and 2024, Vazhai served students in Dharmapuri and Villupuram districts. In 2025, we expanded into one of Tamil Nadu's most underserved areas: the forest and hill region beyond Aiyur, near Denkanikottai in Krishnagiri district — where some villages sit 20 to 30 km inside forest routes with little or no public transport.

We began with Kodakarai Secondary School. By the end of 2026, we aim to have 10 rural government schools covered. Each new school means a School Companion present every single school day — not a workshop that comes and goes, but a person who stays.

Volunteer engaging with rural students in Tamil Nadu, demonstrating how to join Vazhai NGO
JOIN

Your skills belong
in a classroom

Vazhai · Volunteer, School Companion, or Field Coordinator
01
Part-time · Mostly Remote

Volunteer

Any working professional can contribute. Give one day a month — create learning materials, run a career session online, or mentor students in reading and communication. No field travel required for most tasks.
Your time and expertise
02
Full-time Employee · In-School

School Companion

Be present every school day in a government school in the Krishnagiri forest area. Help students read, write, and speak with confidence. Support the headmaster. Build trust with families. A role for someone from — or close to — the local community.
₹15,000–₹20,000 / month
03
Full-time Employee · Field

Field Coordinator

Visit multiple schools weekly, support School Companions, and identify new rural government schools ready for the program. Coordinate career guidance, skill visits, and inter-school events. A role for someone who leads well without a fixed desk.
₹25,000–₹35,000 / month

What Volunteers Actually Do

Student Assessment Materials
Review and standardise student level identification sheets using the AID India framework. A focused 2–4 hour task, done remotely. Needed before June 2026.
Career Exposure Sessions
Share what you do in a 30-minute call with students. Engineer, nurse, chef, accountant — any profession is valuable to a child who has never met someone from outside their village.
Bridge Course Content
Create simple Tamil-medium catch-up lessons for students who are one or two grades behind. Plain language, practical examples.
ITI & NCSC Support
Help 10th standard students apply for the Ashok Leyland ITI Integrated Course, or guide them through National Children's Science Congress project work.
Fundraising & CSR Outreach
Connect Vazhai to donors, corporate volunteering programs, payroll giving schemes, or CSR education projects in India. Your network is our reach.

What Volunteers Say · 2025

"Being part of Vazhai makes us feel connected to something real. Even joining calls and reviewing materials matters — because you know it keeps the work going on the ground."
Narayanasamy & Indhumathi · Volunteers
"The school visits past Denkanikottai were tough to reach. But seeing the headmasters and understanding the situation directly — that gave us clarity nothing else could."
Mani & Patterson · Volunteers
"The students at Kodakarai had so many questions about careers. You could see they were hungry for information — just no one had brought it to them before."
Priya · Volunteer
"A regular phone call with Sevvanthi taught me more about what a School Companion really does than any report could. She's doing extraordinary work in an ordinary place."
Pramila · Volunteer
Vazhai volunteers working closely with rural students in Tamil Nadu
01

Apply Online

Fill out our join form — takes five minutes. Tell us your skills and availability. We read every response.
02

Orientation Call

We'll walk you through the program, answer your questions, and figure out where you fit best.
03

Your First Task

We assign you something concrete in your first week — a specific output, not a vague invite to "help out."
04

Friday Calls

Every Friday, the whole Vazhai network connects. Hear from the field. Share what you did. Stay part of the work.

Ready to start?

We'll get back to you within a few days of your application.
Apply to Join Vazhai →
Donation impact: A student in a rural Tamil Nadu government school supported by Vazhai NGO
Donate to Rural Education · Tamil Nadu & India

Support
Vazhai

A School Companion earns ₹15,000 a month. In return, children in a forest-area government school have a trained adult present every school day — someone who tracks their progress, follows up when they're absent, and refuses to let them fall through the cracks. Your donation funds that person. Nothing more, nothing less.

Note: Vazhai does not currently hold 80G exemption. Donations to this education NGO are not eligible for income tax deduction.
₹500 / mo
Covers one student's study materials for an entire year — books, stationery, and learning resources they would otherwise go without.
₹1,500 / mo
Pays for one field visit to a remote government school — fuel, transport, and coordination costs for a week of on-ground work in Krishnagiri.
₹5,000 / mo
Partially sponsors a School Companion for a month — contributing directly to the salary of a person who shows up for students every single day.
₹15,000 / mo
Fully funds one School Companion for one month — one trained person, one rural school, every school day of the year.
₹2–3L / yr
Sponsors an entire school for a year — Companion salary, field coordination, study materials, career guidance sessions, and inter-school events for one rural school community.

School Companion Salary

₹15–20K
Per month, per school. Present every single school day — full year.

Field Coordinator Salary

₹25–35K
Per month. Manages Companions across multiple schools; weekly visits and training.

Travel & Field Costs

Variable
Fuel, transport, and stay for reaching remote hill schools in Krishnagiri.

Materials & Training

Variable
Student assessment kits, study resources, and career guidance sessions.

Student Programs

Variable
NCSC science projects, ITI preparation, inter-school competitions, and stage speech activities.

Program Expansion

10 Schools · 2026
Setting up and sustaining each new rural government school with a full Companion and Coordinator.

One-Time Donation

Any amount. Goes directly towards School Companions, field visits, and student materials. Every rupee is tracked and reported.

Monthly Giving

The most effective way to support a rural education NGO — predictable monthly income lets us hire, plan, and commit to schools a full year ahead.

Can't donate right now? Share Vazhai instead. WhatsApp Copied.
Contact Vazhai NGO to support rural education projects in Tamil Nadu

Contact
Us

Want to volunteer, donate, explore CSR education projects in Tamil Nadu, or simply learn more about Vazhai? Use any of the channels below — or fill our Join Form to get the conversation started.

Join Form → Email Us →

Email

vazhai.connect@gmail.com

Website

vazhai.in

Facebook

facebook.com/vazhai

Registration

NGO Reg. No. 296/05, Tamil Nadu

Registered Address

# 341/157, T.H. Road, Kaladipet, Thiruvottiyur, Chennai – 600 019, Tamil Nadu, India

Visit Our Schools

We welcome visits from donors, corporate partners, and anyone who wants to see rural education work up close. If you'd like to visit our school programs in the Denkanikottai–Aiyur area of Krishnagiri, contact us in advance to plan the trip.

A field visit is the fastest way to understand what this work actually looks like — the terrain, the schools, the students, and the School Companion who shows up for them every day.

Vazhai NGO field events for government school students in rural Tamil Nadu

Vazhai Events

On the ground and online · 2025

Field Events

Aug 2025

School Identification — Krishnagiri District

Planned visits to assess rural government schools in the Krishnagiri area for inclusion in the School Companion program.
Jul 2025

School Identification — Aiyur Forest Area

Visited government schools near the Ayyur forest in Denkanikottai. Met headmasters, assessed student needs, and gathered field data.

Recurring · On-site

Monthly

Life Skills Workshops

Sessions on communication, leadership, digital literacy, and career awareness — run by Vazhai volunteers at partner schools in Dharmapuri and Villupuram.
Quarterly

Student & Family Visits

Field visits to understand each student's home situation, build family trust, and identify anything pulling them away from school.
3× / Year

Student Level Assessments

Structured reading, writing, and speaking assessments at the start, midpoint, and end of the academic year — to measure growth and adjust support.
Annual

Career Guidance Sessions

In-person career exposure sessions at every partner school — covering higher education options, vocational training, and real-world career paths.
Annual

Inter-School Competition

Sports and cultural competitions — speech, writing, and more — across schools. Planned carefully to work around the challenging terrain of hill-area schools.

Recurring · Online

Monthly

Volunteer Connect

The full Vazhai volunteer group comes together — in person or online — to share field updates, reflect on what is working, and plan the month ahead.
Every Friday

Weekly Status Call

School Companions, Field Coordinators, and volunteers check in together. Open to new volunteers who want to understand the work before committing.

Join us at the next event.

Our Friday calls are the easiest way in. No application needed — just show up, listen, and ask questions. If you feel the work is for you, we'll take it from there.
Terms · Privacy ·