KRISHNAGIRI: At A Glance
- Snehagram is a residential program which has supported over 250 young adults living with HIV in the rural Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu.
- Building on the earlier Sneha Care Home for primary school-aged children in Bengaluru, Snehagram provides a stable environment focused on education, life skills, and vocational preparation.
- Students complete secondary education online through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with individualized academic support.
- In 2018, Learn for Life Foundation established the T.V. Vareed Learn for Life Centre on the campus, where youth develop skills in technology and communications.
- Multiple graduates have gone on to pursue higher education, as well as careers in healthcare, social work, and agriculture.
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Student Life
T.V. Vareed Learn for Life Centre
In 2024, Learn for Life Foundation established the TV Vareed Learn for Life Centre at Snehagram.
The Centre offers online education and vocational training under the guidelines of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), which provides academic courses at the elementary, secondary and high school level and grants graduates Senior Secondary Certification recognized by the Association of Indian Universities. NIOS also offers a number of vocational, life enrichment and community oriented courses. Teacher-mentored sessions are followed by group discussions and individual learning.
Positive Running Program
Building upon Snehagram’s existing educational framework for children living with HIV, this program incorporates appropriate nutrition, daily running/endurance training, and confidence-building. Children are encouraged to become coaches themselves, learn to organize running events, and develop leadership skills. In 2021, two Snehagram student athletes were featured in the documentary Running Positive.
Vocational Training
Snehagram equips adolescents with practical and employable skills across multiple sectors, including organic farming, dairy farming, poultry farming, duck farming, and coconut and banana cultivation. In addition, participants were trained in data entry, basic English communication, photography, catering, and plant nursery management through the mango garden initiative. These programs are designed to provide hands-on experience, enhance livelihood opportunities, and support long-term career readiness for the students.