The Journey
From a Small Educational Initiative to a Community-Powered Vision for Social Transformation
Every meaningful movement begins with a simple question:
Can education become a force for creating a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable society?
For more than a decade, we have been exploring this question through innovative learning experiences, community engagement, environmental education, and nonviolent approaches to learning. What began as a passion for transforming education has evolved into a collective vision for Kalari Forest School.
2015
The Beginning: Learning Beyond Classrooms
The journey began when our founder, Yogesh Karthick, dedicated himself to creating meaningful learning experiences for children beyond conventional textbooks and examinations.
Through experiential workshops, nature-based learning, science explorations, leadership activities, and community engagement programs, he worked with children from diverse backgrounds to make learning joyful, relevant, and connected to real life.
This period laid the foundation for a philosophy that continues to guide our work today: Children learn best when they are actively engaged, emotionally connected, and encouraged to explore the world around them.
2017
The Birth of KALARI
Driven by the belief that education should nurture the whole child, KALARI was established as an initiative focused on active and experiential learning.
Hundreds of children participated in programs centered around:
- Life skills and leadership
- Environmental awareness
- Science and exploration
- Social responsibility
- Creativity and critical thinking
- Community participation
KALARI became a vibrant platform where learning moved beyond classrooms and became an engaging journey of discovery, collaboration, and self-development.
2019
Establishing Kalari Forest School
With the generous support of Boys Town in the Lower Palani Hills, the vision expanded into the establishment of Kalari Forest School.
Set amidst nature, the school became a living laboratory for alternative education, integrating:
- Nonviolent education principles
- Environmental stewardship
- Experiential learning
- Community living
- Support for tribal and rural children
Children were encouraged not only to learn academic concepts but also to develop empathy, responsibility, cooperation, and ecological consciousness.
This marked a significant milestone in transforming educational ideals into a functioning learning community.
2021
A Vision Takes Root
As our work with tribal communities deepened, a powerful realization emerged.
Many indigenous children possessed rich cultural wisdom, ecological knowledge, and strong community values, yet lacked access to educational opportunities that respected and celebrated their identity.
This sparked a new dream: To create a learning space specifically designed for tribal and rural children—one that combines quality education with indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, environmental consciousness, and nonviolent values.
The vision was not merely to educate children, but to create future leaders who remain connected to their roots while thriving in a rapidly changing world.
2023
Community Trust Becomes Community Investment
Years of grassroots educational work earned the trust and support of families, educators, volunteers, and well-wishers who believed in the vision.
In an extraordinary act of collective commitment, 18 families came together to help acquire land for a larger and more ambitious dream.
This land became Maivarai Ecovillage—a community-driven initiative dedicated to ecological living, sustainable development, education, and social transformation.
More than a property acquisition, this represented a powerful affirmation that the vision resonated with people who were willing to invest not only financially, but emotionally and socially in creating a better future.
2026
A Permanent Home for Kalari Forest School
In a landmark step toward realizing the vision, 3 acres of land within Maivarai Ecovillage were entrusted to Meiporul Foundation Trust through a 99-year lease for the development of Kalari Forest School.
Located in a pristine forest environment near Kodaikanal, the campus will be developed in harmony with nature, creating a unique learning ecosystem where children can experience education as a living, transformative process.
The campus will provide:
- Nature-integrated learning spaces
- Residential facilities for children
- Tribal education support programs
- Community learning centers
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Environmental and leadership education opportunities
This marks the beginning of a new chapter—not merely the construction of buildings, but the creation of a long-term institution dedicated to educational equity, ecological responsibility, and social transformation.
Looking Ahead
Kalari Forest School is more than a campus. It is a commitment to future generations.
Our vision is to create a model of education where learning nurtures compassion, strengthens communities, protects nature, and provides equal opportunities for every child—especially those who have historically been underserved.
With the support of donors, partners, funding agencies, and community members, we are building a place where education becomes a pathway to peace, dignity, and social change.
The journey has begun. The future is waiting to be built.