Category: 2015 Cuckoo Forest School

40 Volunteers coming together to build the Cuckoo Forest School. They were of varied professions: Architects, Engineers, IT professionals, farmers, psychologists, journalists, photographers, theatre artists, entrepreneurs, writers, even aspiring cricketers. No two artists had the same story to tell. They all seemed to be exuberantly glowing in their own ways. No two volunteers had the same reason to come. But all of them had one thing in common.

“The Cuckoo Movement for Children” is an informal group of friends and volunteers who has been working with rural children of Tamil Nadu since 2004. They have established libraries and nurseries in villages across the state, organizing plenty of creative activities. They also partner with local schools to introduce the kids to traditional folk arts, music, martial arts, theatre, organic farming, engaging them in exciting discussions on socio-political and environmental issues, organizing movie projections, etc

Over the years, the dream of the Cuckoo movement members to establish an alternative school dedicated to rural children has grown bigger and bigger. And it is about to come true!

They purchased collectively seven acres of land at the foothills of the Jawadhu Hills, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. A beautiful place close to nature, at the border of the forest where lesser privileged children will be able to get access to free education.

The workshop brought together volunteers to build the first structure on the site! Entirely made of earth, with a minimal use of cement and chemicals, the building serves as a camp site to train children. It will also be a resource centre for organic farming, alternative education, alternative medicine and alternative politics.

Foundation on Day One

The final outcome, hand-sculpted with love.