What we do

The Venkat Trust provides and improves education for the children of Kovalam. This includes buildings, equipment, teachers, school fees, scholarships and sponsorships.

We’ve made a short film, Learning Lessons in Kovalam, about the Trust’s work.

Thanks to Salim Salam, who took our rather shaky footage and turned it into a film.

If you would like to use your mobile to support the Venkat Trust please text VENK11 £5 (or £10) to 70070.


Here’s what has been achieved since the Trust was set up in 2004:

  • 180 sponsored children
  • 200 fees paid each year for St Joseph’s pupils
  • 3 buildings – Venkat Tuition Centre, The Ganesh Building and the Dining Hall
  • 1 High School – 1000 pupil high school in the making
  • 1 sports ground and equipment
  • 1 English teacher
  • 1 Tamil teacher
  • 1 PE teacher
  • 1 IT teacher
  • 6 sewing machines
  • 1 sewing teacher
  • 12 computers
  • 4 university scholarships each year
  • 2 postgraduate students’ fees
  • 1 post doctorate student’s research fees
  • 1 electricity generator
  • 1 WC block
  • 2 children’s excursions a year
  • 300 sets of uniform twice a year
  • 500 pairs of socks
  • 500 pairs of shoes
  • 300 sets of text books and stationery twice a year
  • Lots of wells, walls, water pumps, 50 desks and benches, tables, lockers, fans ….