By Sarah Glavan

In the midst of the colorful tapestry of Pondicherry, the Sharana Social and Development Organization stands as a hub of holistic development, breaking away from traditional models to shape a narrative that spans across various facets of community life. A warm breeze is blowing through the entrance lobby of the foundation‘s building in which 17 AUP students stand shoulder to shoulder, listening to the charismatic and passionate founder Rajkala Partha. Sharana (शरण) means shelter in Sanskrit, she explains to us, and that the organization was founded in the year 2000 to address critical educational needs of socio-economically disadvantaged children and communities in urban Pondicherry and its surrounding villages. 

We are told that the organization has multiple programs spanning from children‘s empowerment over women‘s empowerment to rural development. Sharana’s various projects collectively aim to provide access to education, access to employment through micro-credit lending and vocational training schemes and access to healthcare. A key focus is on supporting children to pursue their education, breaking barriers that might hinder their path to knowledge. Sharana goes beyond the classroom, offering counseling and skill development programs, recognizing the importance of emotional and practical tools in a child’s journey. We are allowed to look at one of the classrooms which has a variety of art pieces in the back of the room. Small statues made out of paper-mache and vivid watercolor paintings reveal the creativity, learning and healing that is fostered at Sharana. Manuel, Sharana’s empathic expressive arts therapist, explains that he recently established a therapy program specifically for fathers who are struggling. Employing expressive arts for therapeutic purposes further demonstrate Sharana’s innovative and holistic approach, integrating diverse elements to create a harmonious symphony of development.

According to Rajkala, a defining moment in Sharana’s trajectory was their departure from conventional sponsorship models. Rejecting the notion of children being tourist attractions in “sponsor a child” funding schemes, the organization shifted to a collective sponsorship system in 2015. The new model allows Sharana to operate autonomously and to address the needs of each child more precisely. Sharana‘s deep commitment to transparency further allows them to operate freely and to build relationships of trust with donors.  Today, Sharana is able to support 2000 children, showcasing not only organizational success but also the effectiveness of a local, grassroots approach. Collaborating closely with the local government, Sharana emphasizes a synergistic relationship for more impactful, community-driven development in Pondicherry. In the realm of development, Sharana serves as a model, demonstrating the efficacy of innovation, transparency, and collaborative efforts in fostering lasting change.

We felt grateful for the opportunity to learn about the insights that Rajkala, Manuel and their colleagues gained throughout the years of working on the improvement of livelihoods in Pondicherry. The foundation shines bright as an example of an impactful grassroots development organization established by the community for the community. Sharana and its lasting impact remind us all that the process of development is just as important as the results.

More about Sharana on their Website: https://sharana.org/