About Ignite

In 2003, reading an article in Tamil daily Dinamani, about a cobbler’s son in need of funds for education, homemakers Sathya Nagaraj and Sushila Joseph decided that they will make a difference in the society they lived in…. through Education. They joined hands and identified several children who were unable to further their education after completing Higher Secondary level due to financial hardship. Their vision gave birth to IGNITE …. a flame of hope that brought light into the lives of many children !! Friends from Chennai and overseas came forward to sponsor these children.

  • In 2005, Ignite joined hands with Rotary Club of Chennai, Kilpauk ( RCCK) with the aim to educate 100 children by 2007 and has succeeded in this mission
  • In 2006, OPEN, a non-profit organization based in the US, devoted to providing education for poor children in India partnered with Ignite. Since 2006 OPEN has been the major contributor of funds to Ignite. In 2006 their contribution was Rs.1,73,750; in 2007 it was Rs.3,92,490; in 2008 it was Rs.5 lakhs; in 2009 it was Rs.7 lakhs; in 2010 it was Rs.8.5 lakhs from OPEN & Ignite fund raiser; budget for 2011 is 13 lakhs
  • The children selected by Ignite come from very poor backgrounds with a monthly income of Rs.5000 or less and inspite of these dire straits still scored around 1000/1200 in their Higher Secondary exams. Most of them are first generation learners
  • Nearly 350 children have been sponsored by Ignite so far with the help of OPEN, RCCK, SICS and individual sponsors. Over 75% of them are in good job supporting their families
  • The highest paid Ignite student so far is Nagappan who had joined CSC for Rs.23,000/ month after completing B.E with the help of Ignite
  • SICS ( South Indian Cultural Society), a socio- cultural organization in Kuwait organized a fund raiser on April 18th 2008.Dancer / Choreographer Anitha Ratnamperformed with her troupe and part of the funds was donated to Ignite
  • OPEN & Ignite organised a fundraiser MAYA RAVAN by Actress Shobana on Feb 28th 2010 and it was a roaring success
  • OPEN & Ignite are organizing their second fundraiser RAGA & RHYTHM by Ustad Zakir Hussain, Violin duo Ganesh & Kumaresh & Percussionist Trilok Gurtu on Dec11th 2011

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