About Us
The mission of Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust is to work with economically poor and socially excluded families and support them in the education of their children and in their efforts to improve their quality of life.
Who we are
Divya Shanthi is a community motivated by the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and called to express it in serving those in need.
Vision
The vision of Divya Shanthi is communities where justice, freedom, economic inclusion and flourishing, human dignity, religious harmony and sustainable environments flourish and contribute to nation building.
Our programs include high school, open school, school for special needs, learning centers, credit and savings groups, vocational training centers, adult literacy, health care and awareness, clinics and camps, supporting victims through advocacy and counselling, community organisation, legal support, housing and environment, development in business and micro enterprise, co-operative society and spiritual growth.
Our support partners are both local and international. Our main support groups are Divya Shanthi Mission Support Organisation (DSMSO), Oxford, UK and Barnabas Aid International, UK.
our history & overview
Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust
It began with 'The Sunshine Hour Saturday Club' for poor children in the deprived area of Lingarajapuram, North Bangalore, India in May 1967. Colleen Samuel (Philipsz) began the work soon after she came to know Christ as her Lord and Saviour. The work picked up when Colleen and Vinay Samuel returned from Cambridge UK in 1975. Vinay developed the outreach congregation of St. John's Church of which he was presbyter in charge in Lingarajapuram. It later became Divya Shanthi Church. The work in the community with families particularly women and children was developed under Colleen with a team of volunteers and by 1982 it became the Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust. In 1978 a primary school for children. In 1979 a tailoring unit was started. Volunteers operated a counseling unit for employment, marital problems and a variety of family needs. In 1980 a health service also began with volunteers. Till 1982 the work developed with local support.
In 1982, the first home for girls at high risk was started with the support of Redt Een Kind, Holland. The community work programme of adult literacy, community health education and care, pre-school children, non formal training for youth and micro enterprise development began in 1984 with the help of Tear Fund Holland. The work has grown to cover six areas in the radius of 25 Kms from Lingarajapuram which became part of City Corporation in 2004. A children's home was started in Hyderabad in 1987 and Tsunami Rehabilitation work in Tamil Nadu in 2005 The number of very low income families we work with is over 5000. Divya Shanthi has a full time staff strength of over 150. Pioneering volunteers like Prema and John Santosh, Thelma Dawson and Lily Philips continue to be part of the governance team which include business person and community leaders.
NIOS STUDY CENTER
Divya Shanthi Education programmes focus on children from the lowest income band. Total family income is under Rs 3000/- (USD $75 & UK £40) per month. English medium schooling is the road to success and exit from poverty.
The average monthly fee in a good English medium school which by definition is a private institution and not a Government run school is about Rs 800 per child. This is beyond the means of poor families. Poor families are prepared for any sacrifice to get their children an English medium education.
SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL
"Special Needs children from very low income families face a double disadvantage; 50 children attend Divya Shanthi Special Needs school providing them with education, training, and vocational skills."
Community SCHOOL
Four community schools in rural areas provide elementary education for children from 3 to 7 years old. This provides crucial preparation for mainstream education.