Where dreams come true...

I'd love to say this is the place where dreams come true...
But that's not really true.

Kanasu Trust helps a few children from rural and extremely poor backgrounds realise their dreams of studying further. We pay their college fees, hostel fees, books, equipment, uniform and sometimes, even bus fare.

Where do the students come from?
Most of the students are alumni of the school at B.R. Hills run by an NGO called VGKK. They come from rural and forest areas of Karnataka -- some are tribals, some are just rural poor. They come mostly from Chamarajanagar district.

Where are they now?
Students are spread over several places in Karnataka -- Bangalore, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Ponnampet, Gundlupet and HD Kote.

What are they studying?
Each child is pursuing a course of his/her choice. We have students doing LLB, BA, BCom, BSc, ITI, Diploma and nursing.

What do these courses cost?
Each child has a different need -- some need fees, others need some books and equipment, while a few need fees, food, equipment, books and uniforms. Our payments to the children have ranged from Rs 250 to Rs 13,000.

How do the students to know about us?
The kids hear of us through the "jungle" network, which includes friends, social workers, teachers...

Can't their parents support them?
Often their parents are both unwilling and unable to support them. Some parents are aware of the importance of education and they take loans (at 3-5 percent interest per month, that's 36-60% per year) from local money lenders to support the children. Other parents think the children should be working and earning money instead of wasting time studying. "Your son is already a big boy, why are you still working?" is a common refrain.

Who are we?
We are two entities.
1. A formal trust with a bank account to enable transparency in our financial activities.
2. An informal network of teachers, social workers, senior students, some writers and several techies, whom the children have woven together to help them study.

Names please.
1. Bangalore-based Veena is a researcher, writer, editor, journalist. Main fund-raiser and peptalk giver to the kids.
2. Kollegal-based Huchaiah is a tribal social worker, who is a natural at connecting people. He does the monthly follow-up with the tribal children to ensure they are focussed on their studies.
3. Bangalore-based Sowmya was a teacher at two rural schools and is currently studying BSc by correspondence. She constantly talks to the students to find out what is happening in their lives and keeps them going.