Suraksha Makkala Rakshane

- Sumithra Sivaramakrishnan, Sattva Editorial Team

Yet another day passes by, with most of us wanting to do something for the society, bring a change in someone’s life and contribute in our own little way to make this a better world. However, we wonder whether the effort of one person will make any difference. And that is when we hear stories of people like Venkatesh who dispel the myth beyond doubt.

Venkatesh has always been keen on helping people around, right from sending petitions for the elderly to the government to process their pensions. It was this passion towards helping people led him to start something on his own. Since his economic conditions did not allow him to do his graduation he was very keen to help similarly underprivileged kids complete their education.

In 2005, Venkatesh who stays in Sheshadripuram went to the slums around Sheshadripuram in search of disadvantaged children. Soon he had a group of 30 who assembled at his house every day. These children were given basic education and were involved in a variety of extra curricular activities. As their numbers grew, Venkatesh was forced to look for an alternate location. To get the necessary funding, Venkatesh started the Suraksha Makkala Rakshane Trust which today is governed by a board of trustees. This seven member team comprises of his family members and some volunteers.

At the moment the Suraksha Makkala Rakshane Trust has around 70 children from areas like Sanjay Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar and V.V. Giri Nagar. The trust works with children from diverse backgrounds including children from the streets, slums and runaway children in Bangalore. Apart from imparting basic education to these kids, Venkatesh also conducts educational tours for the children with his own money. Today, Venkatesh also has 4 volunteers from software companies conducting classes for these kids on a regular basis.

Venkatesh’s plans to sponsor the higher education of many deprived children in the future. He is looking to buy computers and is setting up a library for these kids. He needs the support of many volunteers who can teach the children on a weekly basis; donate funds for their food and education. Funding is a big problem and to that end he is looking at various programs for fund raising. Apart from door to door canvassing, Venkatesh is also planning to make paper bags to sell and raise funds for the children.

“I am working for these children and I am very optimistic that most of these children will complete their basic education and get good jobs” says Venkatesh. These kids do not live in a safe place, they neither do have friends to talk to and nor do they get the opportunity to travel outside. Venkatesh provides them education, food and a healthy atmosphere. The effort of this one might not be visible to us, but it makes a world of a difference to these 70 children.

Contact details:

Venkatesh
Suraksha Makkala Rakshane Trust,
#19, Gang man quarters
Near Krishna Floor Mill, Platform Road
Sheshadripuram, Bangalore – 560020.

Phone: 080-65321218, 9741012428
E-mail: makkalasuraksha@yahoo.com