Founding director ~ issac Rayappan
Kenosis Foundation dedicates time and energy to those in need. We want to help them improve their living conditions. We are working in groups, and individually, toward building a better life!
The inspiration came from Issac, founder of Kenosis Foundation; after extensive theological and philosophical studies; as a priest who has done tireless missionary work with the poorest women and children of remote communities in Tamilnadu and Karnataka State, India. This was the beginning of the establishment of an organizational entity, in order to continue his mission.
Now our programs in several remote and ultra-communities throughout two states (Bangalore region, Karnataka; and Krishnagiri district, Tamilnadu state) in India are based on an innovative holistic approach which empowers women and children living in rural villages to become responsible for their own development. To achieve this vision, we provide the necessary assistance to make sustainable progress in overcoming hunger and poverty. Significant progress is made through community development projects in health, education, and socioeconomic empowerment.
Our vision is for “building better life” by breaking the pervasive generational cycle of poverty. Through comprehensive education, the Kenosis Foundation enables women and children to 'stand on their own feet'; and, thereby, to achieve independence. In addition, our mission is to educate, empower, and enable every individual who wishes to make a positive difference in the lives of such underprivileged families.
Kenosis provides a wide range of harm reduction, outreach, and support services to all; such as drop-in and after~school childcare programs. Along with education, employment training and micro~credit is made available. This, in turn, may eradicate: poverty, child abuses, child marriages, child labor, gender discrimination, sex trafficking, and helps to mitigate HIV and AIDS.
What does “Kenosis” mean?
The word, Kenosis, is derived from the Greek language; and means 'sacrifice' or 'self-emptying.' Christ Jesus is a kenosis, due to his lifelong dedication to helping and teaching others, and the sacrifice on the cross.
Since July 29, 2013, Kenosis Foundation has been registered as a non-profit organization under the Trust Act of 1886. Our main offices are in Bangalore City, Karnataka State, India. All donations are 100% tax exempt. We are not sponsored by any religions, nor governmental or political groups.
We believe in a world where every woman and child have the opportunity to lead a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity. Today, when you Join this fight for the women and children, your donation will be matched instantly by a generous group of supporters.
Menu: How Kenosis Works
Once you decide how you’d like to make a difference, by a donation option on this site, we will send you a tax receipt for charitable donations, and forward the money to your chosen project, or causes. After detailed consideration, the beneficiary is identified by the project chosen; then the funds are utilized as per your chosen option. We track every donation to ensure that it is monitored. We maintain a detailed feedback report about the individual women and children whose lives have been changed; including benefits received and how these have made a difference in their living conditions. Then we send these reports to you.
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Menu: How you can help
Reality of Alms Giving:
While walking past beggars and those who are suffering, a man asks, "Why, oh God, do you not do something for these people?" To which God replied, "I did do something. I made you." ~ Old Sufi Saying
Here are a few ways you can help:
1. Make a Donation
Donate to our 1000+ donation options on the site. Change a life today!
2. Join a Program
Join one of the growing number of online donation programs. Help desperate women and children in the many remote and urban slum Communities in India:
3. Spread the Word
- If you have a website [primary domain] or a member site [sub~domain] in a network or social network; you can post a Kenosis Foundation banner to help your visitors find us.
{If you use email to keep in touch with family and friends, colleagues, or customers; you may add a link to your signature line, to spread the word about the Kenosis Foundation.}
- You can share any of these themed pages with friends, family, associates, and others.
4. Volunteer with Us
Kenosis is always seeking committed and capable volunteers. While some Kenosis departments require specific skill sets, many others simply require a willingness to assume responsibility while learning simple new systems.
What it Means to Volunteer with Kenosis Foundation's Projects Abroad:
- Involvement with specific causes; or working on projects in a specific role
- Online support as country coordinator, ambassador, or advisor [from home]
- Assistance for the current team in specific tasks involving implementation
- Adherence to mutually agreed upon deadlines
- Commitment of two, or more, hours each day
- Additional administrative and / or field work opportunities
We do not encourage people who:
- have a lot of new ideas and strategies they want us to try...
- are unresponsive by mail and will need constant monitoring...
What is in it for a volunteer:
- You will be taken very seriously, based on commitment and delivery of roles and responsibilities.
- We will engage very actively with you once we are sure of your dedication to each cause.
- You will gain valuable experience and a great deal of exposure to emergent models of philanthropy.
Be part of the change that India's largest online philanthropy marketplace is bringing about! Volunteers who have basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; will find it easier to fit our technology~driven working style.
Join Travel Abroad or Get Involved; to explore different destinations across India, enhance the work that you do, fulfill your visions or dreams as well as those of others.
5. Other Ways to Help:
There are many ways you can lend your support to our projects. Have your choice on how and whom you would like to help by making your donation to first rate projects. You may Support a Cause [or] Sponsor a Child.
6. Visit a Project
Visiting a project can be a very beneficial and enlightening experience for you. It will give you an understanding about the project, the demographic situation in the region, the problems faced by children; and most importantly, the satisfaction of understanding how your contribution - monetary or effort - is being put to use. Visiting a project also helps kenosis Foundation to better evaluate projects. If you would like to visit a project; just check our project list, and send an email reply to kenosisfoundation@yahoo.com
Please include the following information:
- Full name
- E-mail address (preferred form of contact)
- Telephone number
- Full address
- City or cities visiting in India
- Project you would like to visit
- Any special requirements or requests
Please give us some advance notification so that we may contact the projects to ensure that your visit is well coordinated. After your visit, kindly fill out a project visit report (sample template is provided below) and send it to kenosisfoundation@yahoo.com
7. Adopt a Project
You can adopt: Select a project from a list of initiatives carefully screened by kenosis. Make a donation and/or start a fundraising campaign, and involve your friends and family members.
You can enable: Help Kenosis enable the project by providing guidance and support to implement its goals.
Make a Difference: You will be able to see the difference you are making in the lives of children through project reports and photos.
8. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister
Doing good is a beautiful thing; and moreover, helping a child can be an amazing experience. As a Big Sister or a Big Brother, you can give a girl or boy an opportunity to see beyond their everyday world; and begin to envision progress far beyond mundane existence and mere survival. Read more about Big brothers and Big sisters. If you have further questions, see our Big Brothers and Big Sisters FAQs for more answers.
9. Be a God Parent
The reality is that taking on the role of godfather to a child is a big honor that comes with important responsibilities.
Note your godchild’s birthday on a calendar and make sure to send them a card every year. Godfathers usually give a little more money to their godchild at birthdays and Christmas than they give their other nieces and nephews. It is not necessary, but that seems to be the trend. When your godchild has some success in school or sports, send them a congratulatory card.
You can support your god child through Sponsor a Child [or] Support a Cause; to help fund the careful one-to-one matching and on-going mentoring support unique to our programs. You may refer to yourself as your sponsored child's godfather or godmother. You will have earned it.
Menu: Vision and Mission
Our vision is to assist to create an equal, just, and sustainable society; by empowering underprivileged and marginalized people. Members of Kenosis Foundation believe in the ‘Right to Life with Dignity for All’. This is fulfilled by engaging local communities in partnership with empowered citizens to become active and supportive partners, advocating an effective and accountable state, and making markets work for the underprivileged and marginalized across continents.
Our commitment
We are committed to five rights:
- Right to Sustainable Livelihood
- Right to Social Services
- Right to Life and Security
- Right to be Heard
- Right to Identity
Core Values
- To add value to the lives of families who are impoverished
- To respect and foster respect for those lacking resources
- To establish a global network and to expand intervention
- To remain connected to personal integrity and joy of giving
- To honor transparency and accountability in missions
Menu: Our Supporters
The Kenosis Foundation has been able to provide services through associated individuals, groups, donor agencies and partners only by their dedicated support. We sincerely thank these people for their continuous support and encouragement.
Menu: Legal & Financial Information
Menu: Reports & Newsletters
Menu: Board of Directors
Meet Issac Rayappan ~ Founder, President, and Managing Director
Issac leads the daily operations of Kenosis Foundation. He has completed a Bachelor's degree for studies in science (Zoology, environment, and biotech). As part of his religious training, he has also received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Theological studies. He is a qualified counselor for children, youth and married couples. He worked several years in India on health, education, and community development projects.
After several years of priestly duties and missionary work experience with the rural poor in remote villages and slum communities; he envisioned an organization with a fully committed working staff. Subsequently, he registered Kenosis Foundation with the Government of India; in order to continue his mission in remote villages.
His positive and powerful experiences led him to believe that other like-minded people would enjoy similar opportunities. He then completed his Masters of Philosophy Degree in Community Health and Development. He is a full-time contributor to multiple projects of the Kenosis Foundation. He takes care of organizing the entire international volunteer program, Projects Abroad. He is also devotedly increasing the chances of partnerships for implementation of ecotourism programs in India.
Meet Jesintha Mary ~ General Secretary and Administration
In addition to being co-founder of the Kenosis Foundation, Jesintha Mary has joined the team as general secretary and administrator of the organization. She has completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine, with specialization in technical and therapeutic dialysis. This is from one of the highest ranking universities; St. John’s Medical College and Hospital; in Bangalore, India. Daily, she monitors the functioning, administration, and allocation of funds to Kenosis projects. She works closely with the managing director and advisory committee.
Meet Peter Fernandes ~ Youth Education and Organizational Trainer
Peter Fernandes has completed his Master of Arts Degree in Sociology. He has 12 years of fieldwork experience in social work, and 5 years experience working with young people in India. He works directly with vulnerable youth, under guidance by President and Managing Director of Kenosis Foundation. He has achieved great success in directing the daily functioning and life skills education in schools and colleges; as well as developing partnerships for dissemination of knowledge; and conducting workshops and training for the staff of other nongovernmental organizations.
Meet Stephen ~ Country Volunteer Placement Coordinator in India
Stephen joined the team at Kenosis Foundation after 5 years of working experience with the FSL International Manpower and Promotion Services, volunteer placement agency, in Bangalore, India. He worked as Placement Coordinator and was promoted to State Coordinator, with FSL He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Social Work and has a year of volunteer experience in South African countries. He monitors and organizes logistics and communications between volunteers and local organizations. Stephen supervises the field staff and ensures their needs are met by the volunteers. He reports to, and works under the close guidance of, Managing Director.
Meet Baskar ~ Area Field Supervisor of Projects and Volunteer Programs
Baskar takes care of the logistic arrangements in the field. He supervises subordinates and community volunteers before they are dispatched to project locations. He ensures 100% of logistics is done, and that volunteers reach the venue, ahead of the scheduled time, to prepare for the start of each hosted program. He works closely with, and reports to, both Country Placement Coordinator and Managing Director.
Button: What We Do
We focus on the remotest areas where there are people that others forget. We focus on the women and children of rural communities where no organizations have ever worked. These are communities where people live in a pervasive cycle of poverty; those who face discrimination. whose voices are ignored.
We help women and children fight for the the basic fundamental human rights that they are often denied; even the right to eat. We can assist them with the chance to have a say in the decisions that shape their lives; including the right to receive a comprehensive education and achieve financial autonomy. We encourage and empower women to work together on vulnerability issues... empowered to fight for freedom from abuses.
We do not only give them money and materials; but, also guide them to be able to procure whatever they may need. We also teach entrepreneurial skills,We are not out there campaigning or protesting against the system while handing out meager rations. We do not intend to tell people what to do because, in the long run, we know that won't work for them. Instead, we educate them to work within the system; to know how to demand their rights. We use our resources, influence, and experience to help people find their own solutions.
Kenosis Foundation is there to learn what people really want and need. We help communities take action together to hold their governments accountable, and to give local leaders of communities our support wherever they need it. Together, we are creating sustainable changes; making a lasting difference to improve the quality of every critical aspect of life.
We see the problem of poverty as the lack of power.’ We focus our work at a grassroots level, to tackle poverty and inequality where it starts. Our efforts are toward right livelihood, education, self-employment, and financial autonomy. Our programs are currently active in the impoverished states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. We work with the most marginalized segments – Dalit’s and Tribal. For them, poverty is so much worse than a lack of income, healthcare, and education. It is a crippling state wherein their input into the course of their lives is little, to none. They have been excluded from all basic decision-making rights.
Kenosis Foundation was conceived by Issac Rayappan, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who holds Masters in Social Work and Masters in Philosophy degrees. He completed Organization Development and Management Studies in May, 2008; as well as Studies in Philosophy and Theology (Bachelor's in PTh), in 2004. Issac has served for 12 years as a missionary; and in 2013, founded Kenosis Foundation; which is managed by a team of professionals who formerly worked with various corporations, notably in health care sectors; and have dedicated their careers to making a difference in quality of life for the under-privileged.
Button: Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Doing good feels wonderful; and moreover, being good to a child is a rewarding experience. As a Big Sister or Big brother, you can give a girl or boy an opportunity to see beyond their everyday world, and have big dreams. It’s not just good for the child, but benefits the entire community. It can begin by simply giving the child an opportunity to enjoy activities that you are already doing, then may develop into a more comprehensive range of ideas and projects.
For just a few hours, twice a month, you can give this child the valuable gift o friendship. By simply changing their perspective of what the world can offer, you can start changing their lives. You can have fun with them playing board games, making handicrafts, or going to a playground together. The options are as unlimited as that child's potential.
You don't have to take our word for successes in the programs. You may see our 'Real Life Stories of Bigs & Littles' page for some amazing accounts of what it means to be a role model. If you still have questions, check out our Big Sister FAQs for more answers.
Do you think you are ready to be a Big Brother or Big Sister? Just fill out our simple Online Application. After you complete it, a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member will contact you shortly. You'll need to:
- provide references
- participate in an in-person interview
- go through a background check
Know someone who’d be a great Big Brother or Big Sister?
At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we especially need more men to be mentors. Fact is, we have boys ready and waiting to be matched with a role model. So tell the guys you know to sign up to become Bigs. They can do the fun things they love to do already; like play video games, go fishing, or even play football— only now they'd get to enjoy these activities with a child who can truly benefit from it. Read more about Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Get involved as a donor
you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters by making a donation to help fund the careful one-to-one matching and on-going mentoring support unique to our programs. The gift you make today will help a child facing adversity to avoid risky behaviors, perform better in school, improve interaction with others, boost self-confidence, and to hope for a better future.
Button: Our Projects / Programs
Menu: Sunset After School Program (SASP)
The Sunset After-School Program (SASP) — known to the children as 'Fun Club', 'Children’s Club', or 'Children’s Parliament' provides activities for children from 6 to 14 years of age in the local area where there are no community organized tuition classes or recreational activities. These are currently being run in selected remote villages 6 weekdays per week, in afternoon or evening hours.
The aim is to provide the children, both boys and girls, a space for:
- Educational and creative activities,
- Special coaching,
- Counseling and guidance for children who are weak in some subjects,
- Games which are focused on positive recreation,
- Awareness and life skills.
We also incorporate:
- Trekking;
- Summer Camp,
- Health Camp,
- Tree planting / plantations
- Kitchen gardening [SASP/Fun Clubs Quarterly]
- Children’s Day
- Signature campaigns
- Talent shows
SASP activity solves the nutrition problem of underprivileged children. It prevents a malnourished body by providing daily snacks (such as ground nuts, potato chips, samosas, biscuits, and chocolates) and pure drinking water. It also includes basic health care and medicine, and medical supplies.
This program vastly supports a mother to go happily to work each day, and to return home confidently expecting safety and security for her children. She knows she can pick them up from our center every day.
Menu: Academic Adoption Project (AAP)
Our children are vulnerable to multi-generational poverty, particularly among socially discriminated against Dalit and Tribal social groups; in the remote villages of the district of Krishnagiri and the state of Tamilnadu, in southern India.
- Parents are uneducated and illiterate, forced to work menial jobs for little pay. ($1.50 dollars)
- Parents feel helpless to support their children's learning.
- At times, they cannot even afford to buy a pencil.
- Children aren't encouraged to develop good study habits, and some have to work odd jobs to support the family, instead of studying. As a result, some children have never been to school, others fall behind in school or drop out.
- All the children enrolled in our programs are vulnerable. They are, typically: orphaned, deserted, single parented, cared for by a relative, extremely poor, have an alcoholic father, have a parent in prison or a mother trafficked in the sex trade.
- This project protects girls from child marriages, trafficking, domestic slavery, and child labor. It eradicates illiteracy and provides a good quality education.
Our goal is to promote a sustainable support system for children’s academic progress by encouraging parental involvement in the program. In order to truly move a family out of the cycle of poverty, it is essential to make education a priority, in addition to creating employment for women:
- We enroll children in good private schools which have safe infrastructure and proper toilet systems.
- Initially, children are enrolled in anganwadis [government sponsored elementary schools] and in private schools. At a later stage, we enroll children into good English private schools from grades 1 through 12; with scholarships available for higher education.
- For additional academic help, Kenosis Foundation also holds night-school tutoring classes (ASTP) every evening.
- From this unique project, underprivileged children receive a timely education, with regular testing; as well as materials; uniforms and shoes, a schoolbag, and a dictionary.
- We have also launched an Academic Adoption Program (AAP), whereby, donors can support one or more children to attend high-quality schools.
- Our staff members meet regularly with parents to explain how they can get involved with the students' learning process. They inform them of the students' progress, discuss needs, and encourage the development of a parents association to support children in the community.
Menu: Micro~credits for Rural Women Groups
Our integrated micro-credit projects offer a holistic strategy to help address the issues concerning financial disadvantage among marginalized individuals and communities in rural India. More comprehensive than merely financial, or banking, models; our micro-finance projects empower individuals by providing them with:
- Life and social skills
- Training and education
- Moderate interest-free financial loans or donations
In addition to lending money, we work on forming long-term relationships:
- Developing financial literacy
- Promoting the saving of money
- Investing; not only in a micro-enterprise; but, also, in the individual, the family, and the whole community.
We utilize applied research throughout our work in order to create an opportunity that is not only needed in the community, but also desired by the entrepreneur. In this way, the level of responsibility necessary for the project’s success and sustainability may be achieved. By establishing an environment that fosters empowerment, self-confidence, and creativity; we assist marginalized communities to 'reach for their dreams'. It gives them more autonomy, influence, and control over their lives.
At the end of training and empowerment, the individuals or groups obtain the money needed to start their own income generating programs; according to their interests, as follows:
- Poultry farm
- Goat farm
- Vegetable vendor
- Fruit vendor
- Flower vendor
- Food business
- Maid service
- Jewelry shop
- Fancy show room
Menu: Women Self-Help Groups (SHG)
We focus on and work with vulnerable women (Widows, prostitutes, HIV/ AIDS patients, women with alcoholic husbands, abused women) and young women who have children living below the poverty line (BPL). They often have to raise their children in situations where their husbands suffer from an alcohol addiction and/or are physically and emotionally abusive. They lack access to adequate food, healthcare, income, and educational opportunities. Therefore; they simply don’t have the ability to make decisions concerning even the most basic fundamentals of life.
In order to do this, we arrange the Self-help Group (SHG); community savings and loan groups which facilitate empowerment as a group; to secure long-term financial stability for the women.
Following financial literacy lessons and activities, they will be empowered to make informed and effective decisions regarding their finances. The group comprises:
- Recruitment of 10-12 local women,
- Election of members for monitoring and management
- Determination of monthly contribution amount and goal-setting
Once this goal is reached, the group may begin:
- Establishment of workshops to introduce micro-enterprises to tribal communities; helping provide skills training to increase employment and reduce migration; and encouragement to create income generating activities
- Lending (both for emergency loans and micro-enterprise activities) to further enhance the sustainable finances of individuals and community
- Business ownership or self-employment
The Self-Help Group serves numerous purposes in addition to financial benefits, including:
- Signature campaigns
- Opportunity to foster leadership
- Decision making skills,
- Creation of forums for learning to set goals
- Cash flow management
- Bookkeeping
The premise of Kenosis Foundation projects is that improvement of social, economic, and political opportunities for women improves societies as a whole. We seek to build constituencies for reform around key issues affecting women’s status, and promote efforts to identify and solve problems.
Menu: Children’s Clubs
The 'Children's Club' and the 'Girls Club' are after-school programs. The girls and young women range in age from ages 8 to 18. Though some of the girls are enrolled in school or college; gender can, and quite often does, limit their activities. The Girls’ Clubs are a space for them to express themselves outside their homes; and effectively advance into empowerment.
The aim of Girls’ Club is to provide:
- New social and life skills
- Awareness and informational workshops on topics they may not learn about at home or in school
- Confidence through education, life skills and creative activities
The clubs alternate between educational and creative activities each week ~ Topics include:
- Creative writing
- Stage performance and acting
- Female reproductive health
- Appropriate sex education
- Challenges of adolescence
- Child rights and safety
- Innovation and productivity
- Gender rights and feminism
- Global awareness
Upon completion, children are prepared and willing to go to school. They will have the basic skills in reading and writing that are necessary to keep up with other 'well-off' children.
Menu: NVC Projects in Schools and Colleges
Non-violent Communication (NVC) is based on basic principles of nonviolence; a natural state of compassion when the mind is at peace.
When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving!
~ CNVC founder, Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD
We demonstrate Nonviolent Communication (NVC) through training and practice in community schools. This helps teachers, administrators, students, and parents to make school a place where students love to learn, teachers love to teach; and where parents feel confident that their children’s needs, for safety, respect, and learning, may be met.
We know of hundreds of schools around the world that have been implementing the principles of NVC. In many of these schools; the teachers, administrators, parents, and students have reported these results:
- Fewer conflicts
- Increased skill in mediation
- Better listening ability
- Mutual respect among everyone
- Students taking responsibility for learning
- More engaged and eager learning
- Less resistance & more cooperation
- More fun and sharing
- A general feeling of safety
Objectives/ Observations:
- Teachers and students work together as partners, setting objectives mutually and agreeably.
- Teachers and students speak a process language. The Nonviolent Communication, which focuses attention on; 1) the feelings and needs motivating each person and 2) what actions might best meet their needs—at no one else’s expense.
- Students are motivated by their eagerness to learn; never through coercion, fear of punishment, or promise of reward.
- Tests are given at the beginning of the course, to determine need; not at the end to determine reward or punishment. Grading is replaced with evaluations of student learning that describe what they learned, as well as the skills and knowledge they had mastered.
- The interdependent learning community is designed to encourage students to care for one another and help each other learn, rather than compete for limited rewards. The common goal is to support all students in reaching their objectives.
- All rules and regulations are created by consensus by those who are affected by them... all students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Force is only used, as necessary, to protect health and safety; not with intent to punish.
Contents:
To provide information about NVC projects in schools, and to encourage more people to find out what NVC can contribute to your school community, we provide the following information:
- NVC Materials for Educators
- A description of Life Enriching Education, an excerpt from Marshall Rosenberg’s new book, 'Life Enriching Education'
- Reports from educators around the world
- Opportunities to Contribute to NVC in schools and colleges
- NVC training for educators
If you would like to discuss components of the NVC program, ask questions, or receive further information; parents and educators interested in practicing Non Violent Communication in classrooms and school communities can subscribe to this email group; nvcprojectindia@yahoo.com
Or join our FaceBook group at https://www.facebook.com/
For additional information, visit or login to https://www.cnvc.org/
Edited by Barbara Kim Thigpen of Real Provision
BarbaraThigpen@therainforestdiet.com
