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The SKCV Headquarters is Prema Vihar Village, which lies some five miles outside Vijayawada city, a major junction in coastal Andhra Pradesh State, South India. Situated alongside the banks of the River Krishna is an 11-acre farm which provides a safe haven from the chaos and dangers of life on the street. It is home to 130 previously destitute boys, some as young as six years old. The farm is totally managed by the children, both old and young. There are 35 cattle, market gardens and orchards. SKCV is a pure vegetarian organization. Built in 2007, our girls' village is called Amodini, meaning Happy Girls. In this purpose built centre, up to 100 girls can be housed and educated.
Many of these children are orphans, others have run away from abusive or violent parents or stepparents. All are fleeing a life of grinding poverty and disease on the street. Children are not coerced to live in the villages or any other SKCV centre. They visit and then stay voluntarily making their own choice and enrolling themselves in both the village and the school. Those who want to return home are encouraged to do so. Each child has a contribution to make right down to the youngest who are encouraged to grow their own vegetables to "sell" back to the village kitchen as a source of pocket money.
Every SKCV child reaches a level of education to enable
him/her to take their rightful place in the world. The individual talents
of each child are recognised and developed. Some go on to college while
others are given vocational or agricultural training. The six SKCV vocational
workshops provide everything from motor cycle repairs to tailoring, generating
income which contributes to the village’s running costs. Where are we? Click here for a map and information about the city
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SKCV also has a night shelter in the centre of Vijayawada which houses
120 boys and a separate girl's shelter. We provide a medical centre,
a non-formal school and vocational training. There are around 400 children
receiving direct support at any one time, with a total of 7,500 who are
in contact with SKCV and turn to us for support when needed.
Together,
husband and wife team, Manihara and Bhakti Norton, and a small band of
staff, volunteers and helpers, provide their enormous ‘family’
with a safe, caring environment in which to grow and to thrive. It is
up to the children to manage and develop their own life under careful
and loving guidance.