The first and foremost function of the facility will be as a school.  The presence of a permanent structure for the villagers has significant symbolic and practical meaning.  Many of the children live in shacks constructed of scrap wood and plastics.  The children currently attend primary school classes in a temporary structure without furniture, water or electricity and that leaves them exposed to the elements where they study on a dirt floor.

The new school building will feature electricity for fans and lighting, enabling students to study for more hours each day.  We will purchase desks, chairs and blackboards to facilitate the learning process.  The children will be given instruction on reading and writing in both English and Hindi along with math, science and social studies classes.  They will also be taught basic hygiene.

Medical Clinic and Community Center

As a medical facility the structure allows for periodic visits from private as well as government doctors.  Vaccination projects are run from here as well as a periodic acute care clinic.  By bringing the villagers to a central location, we are able to get attention from doctors who from doctors in near by areas who volunteer their service.  In many instances, the medical clinic days are the only access to health care that the villagers are able to receive.  We have helped facilitate medical treatment for children who have suffered from afflictions like cleft lip, club feet, heart defects and other serious medical ailments.

Village festivities like weddings, religious ceremonies and town hall meetings will also be encouraged to take place at the facility.  The presence and availability of a permanent facility is seen as a major boon to the people of Bodhigaya and has a profound psychological effect giving the local population a sense of belonging and purpose.

Community Orchard

The land that we purchase will be used to plant fruit orchards and vegetable gardens.  The intent will be to teach sustainable agricultural processes to the villagers and provide food for the school children and others in the village.  To begin we will plant mango, papaya and plum trees as well as bamboo for shade.  By helping to create a bond between the land and the people we hope to encourage the villagers to plant nourishing crops on their own when they do have land available.  Each pupil of the school will be given the responsibility of tending 2 trees. 

Collaboration with other Organizations

In addition to IHC, KIRF works in collaboration with the Root Institute for the medical treatment of villagers.  Our staff routinely facilitates the transportation of doctors, medical supplies and patients to and from the villages. 

Project Timetable

The Project Timetable will run from December 2006-December 2007.  It is possible that the school and health clinic will be completed prior to the end of 2007.  However, construction slows during the hot months and monsoon seasons.
Currently KIRF Bodhgaya operates three educational facilities in Bodhgaya which serve 450 children. The success of these related projects is what has inspired us to build another permanent facility.

School Sponsorship Program

Our School Sponsorship Program will provide for teachers' salaries, school supplies and regular health examinations for the children being educated in a KIRF Bodhgaya Educational Center. To support this program for donors in the United States and become a School Sponsor please make an online donation of $50 or more to KIRF Bodhgaya by clicking here.

Photo: Diane L. Kirwin, LCSWII

KIRF Bodhgaya

KIRF Bodhgaya staff

KIRF Bodhigaya presently has 8 teachers, 1 supervisor and 1 driver to service its 4 temporary education centers.  The rest of the project is run by volunteers.

• Mr. Priye Ranjan, President
• Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Secretary
• Bhante Priyapala, Treasurer
• Mark Kirwin, Director
• Diane Kirwin, Founder