History

1990 Under the guidance of Ayodhya Pati Prabhu, now B.B. Govinda Swami, we start serving sweet rice to pilgrims visiting Krsna-Balaram Mandir. Thus Food for Life Vrindavan begins.

1991 We start feeding Vrindavan’s widows daily. In the same year, we start serving full meals daily to about 100 elderly sadhus (saintly mendicants).

1995 We begin kitchri (rice, bean and vegetable stew) distribution. We also begin midday meal distribution at village schools. It starts with just six schools, but as news spreads, teachers start calling and we extend to fifty-three village schools. This is a turning point for FFLV. By visiting villages we discover the many needs of the villagers. Village elders approach us for help with drinking water, medical assistance, education and other problems arising from poverty.

1997 We set up our mobile medical team, which goes from village to village giving free advice and medicine to more than 200 women and children daily.

1998 We build the first water system in the village of Javat Gaon, bringing drinking water to more than 10,000.

1999 We organize the Social Development Program in seven villages. This consists of adult education, self-help groups, microcredits and vocational training. The same year also sees the start of our tree planting and environmental program. FFLV registers with the Indian Government as a Non Government Organization (NGO).

2001 Seeing the number of poor children begging in the street, we start an evening class. The children are taught to read and write. We move from an open mandap in a temple to a small rented room. Soon we have eighty children crammed into that small room. The children are so eager to learn, that we realize we need a proper school.

2002 In a small property donated to us we began our first full time school. We name it Sandipani Muni School. (Sandipani Muni was the childhood teacher of Krishna & Balaram.) Within a short time we have 120 children attending the school and many more knocking at the door. We need a bigger building.

2003 In January by the sincere desire of Ramesh Shah and the patrons of Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK, we purchase land and begin construction in April. On 10 October 2003, the first day of Kartik, the new Sandipani Muni School is inaugurated, with 200 children attending. The Mathura Administration presents Sandipani Muni School with the prestigious “Model School Award”, selecting SMS above 1,250 other schools.

2004 In October we lay the foundation stone for the Sandipani Muni Secondary School. The funding for the land comes from Ramesh Shah, the Bhaktivedanta Manor patrons and other friends.

2005 – Fifteen Years of Services to Sri Vrindavana Dhama!

2006 During a week long celebration the Grand Opening of Sandipani Muni Secondary School takes place on October 7^th. Two new projects start on May 10^th during World Environment Day, Vishwas and Trees for Life. The Vishwas program helps to beautify Vrindavan by daily cleaning the roads, alleys, and drains. The goal of Trees for Life is very similar, beautify Vrindavan. The program plants trees and also educates children about their importance. On December 10^th FFLV is presented the “Human Rights Protection Award.”

2007 In just the past 4 years the number of children that are enrolled at the Sandipani Muni Schools has more than quadrupled to 838 children.

2008 Looking back at figures from 2002 to 2008 FFLV has achieved a growing rate of 557 %. For example in 2002 our food distribution was $32,510, in 2008 its was: $109,822, a growing rate of 238%.

Similarly our educational services grew from $3,145 in 2002 to $165,824 in 2008. a growth rate of 5,172%. In 2008 our “children’s home” was inaugurated with nine orphan children. 2600 trees planted and 588,450 free meals distributed. In Dec. FFLV was the selected charity for the Asian Voice Triple AAA award in London, 150,000 pounds were pledged during the event, which founded the construction of the third Sandipani Muni School. During 2008 FFF or “food for families” was started. supplying very poor families with the monthly rations of food grains, oil, sugar etc. 20 families were listed.

2009 Was a turning point in many ways for FFLV, in September we celebrated Vivek Oberoi’s birthday at our school with extensive media coverage. During Diwali we had a fund raising event in London with Vivek Oberoi’s presence, another 150,000 pounds were pledged during the night. The entire amount has been used for the final stage of construction of the third school. In November 2009 FFLV and Govindji Mulji Foundation inaugurated our new Hospital, the facilities are free for the very needy and subsidised rates for everyone else. in 2009 we also started our paper recycling facility.

2010 FFLV school of performing arts “SPA” was established, sponsored by the “One Foundation” from VA USA, the school teaches students the art of singing, playing musical instruments, classic and folk dance, martial arts and more…. In august 2010 Vivek Oberoi brought to our school Sushmita Sen, former miss universe and renown Bollywood actress. In October the third Sandipani Muni School was inaugurated. bringing the student population of SMS to 1,300 children. During the same time the ground breaking ceremony was performed for the fourth Sandipani Muni School at Govardhan, Vrindavan. Sandipani Muni School is 10 years old!