Periodic parent meetings are held, and useful information such as the importance of education, health and hygiene and environmental issues are shared. Parents and teachers of the CSI School are also invited to the Christmas celebration. They repeatedly express their deep appreciation for the contributions of the Bethania Foundation to their children. The Bethania Foundation serves the marginalized children of Packiapuram, Kodaikanal, and its neighborhood with a positive impact on their academic, social and spiritual development. The CSI After-School Care program is a good example of the community involvement of the Bethania Foundation, India. The productive collaboration between the Bethania Foundation, India and the CSI Middle School aims to bring wholeness and hope to the poor children of Packiapuram, Kodaikanal, to change their world through Jesus’ love.

As we share so much with the CSI School and Centre, let us introduce you to Mr. Ramesh, the Headmaster of the CSI School. Mr. Ramesh was instrumental in helping to establish the CSI After-School Care Centre. Over the years, he has visited our care centres throughout Kodaikanal and participated in our celebrations and festival programs. The children of The Bethania Foundation India ^TM are well cared for and the teachers have a good rapport with the Mahanaim Care Centre. The CSI School is a good advocate for the services The Bethania Foundation India ^TM provides to the community. Mr. Ramesh also serves on the Home Management Committee of the District Child Protection Unit. Mr. Ramesh has helped us support the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM children through help in providing tuition assistance, books, space for programs and other services. We appreciate his assistance.

Dhanapandi studied in our CSI After-School Care Centre from 4th grade to 8th grade. His two brothers also studied in our centre. He comes from a very poor farming family. Now he is working as a Police Inspector at Nilakottai. He has a heart for service, and he helps our After-School Care teacher, Deenal, who undergoes dialysis twice a week.

The primary teachers at the CSI Centre are Jayadeepa and Deenal. Deenal’s name means “Embodiment of humility” and Jayadeepa’s name means “Glorious light.” Jeyarani is also a teacher and works with older children.

The CSI After-School Care Centre was started in June 2004 on the premises of the CSI Middle School in Packiapuram, outside of Kodaikanal. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed outlining the sharing agreement. Originally, the name was “Bethesda Tuition Centre” and the Unit leader, the late Mr. Kumar, and founder Bob Granner were instrumental in opening this centre. At that time, a local organization called BACKUP was the operating group for this and other programs until 2007 when Bethania Foundation, India was started. At that time, the centre became known as the CSI After-School Care Centre.