Meghan & Galen's Life in Auroville

Auroville is a universal township about 10km north of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India. Based upon the work of the Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo and his spiritual partner the Mother (born Mira Alfassa), Auroville strives to be a place of unity and unending education for people of all nations.

Founded in 1968 on what was once a barren plateau, Auroville today is full of lush forests and is recognized internationally for it successes with environmental protection. A major focus of environmental work is the restoration of the nearly extinct indigenous Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF). Through organizations such as the Centre for Scientific Research, Auroville is pioneering alternative decentralized power sources that are used around the world.

At the township center lies the Matrimandir, a place for quiet and concentration and a physical manifestation of the inward unity that Auroville seeks to realize for all its inhabitants.

The Matrimandir lies at the heart of Auroville and is just one of the many architectural wonders in the city.

Auroville has just over 2,000 permanent residents, employs between some 4,000-5,000 Tamil villagers and has about 400 volunteers/guests at any time.

We are staying at Roy’s boarding house where seven Tamil children have been adopted due to an inability by their parents to take sufficiently provide care. The adults who run the boarding house and take care of the kids lived in the house themselves as children. We eat many meals together as a group.

Meghan is working at the Aikiyam school just down the road from where we live in the New Creation complex. She is assisting in teaching 4th graders and involved in curriculum development/teacher training wherever she is needed.

Galen is working at the Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG), which focuses on building solidarity, cooperation and responsibility primarily amongst women in about 50 Tamil villages around Auroville. AVAG empowers women by creating Self Help Groups and by implementing micro-finance programs and organizing micro-projects.

To learn more about Auroville visit www.auroville.org. Those wishing to contribute finances should be sure to check out the Auroville Unity Fund for more information.