Sandipani Gurukul – Kudavali, Sangmeshwar, Ratnagiri

Sandipani Gurukul is an organization dedicated to the upliftment of underprivileged children who come from broken/destitute families. Founded in year 1980, by a group of individuals who shared a common desire to help the needy at the grass route levels of the society, Sandipani is operating in the underdeveloped Konkan area (300km south of Mumbai) of India for over 25 years. It is totally non-political in its work and has received no aid of any kind from any political agencies since its inception. All the trustees work in honorary capacity and are not paid any fees or expense reimbursement, even for travel or stay.

Sandipani Gurukul accepts children in the age group of 6 to 16 who are orphans or come from broken homes. Sandipani looks after their total needs – residence, food, clothing, education, books, medical etc. These are provided totally free to them. Sandipani imparts them traditional education in a nearby school and more importantly, some vocational training – agricultural, horticultural, arts and crafts. They can then pursue these vocations anywhere in rural or urban areas and be financially self-reliant rather than apply for some jobs and experience the frustration of not being called even for an interview. Thus Sandipani tries to bring these children in the main-stream of society, and make them responsible members of the society.