Ignite - A Social Service Organization

About Us

In 2003, through the Tamil daily Dinamani, Sathya Nagaraj and Sushila Joseph decided that they were going to 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 with the aim to educate 100 children by 2007 and has succeeded in this mission. Now in 2010 Ignite has educated over 250 children
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 contibution 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. For the new batch we are setting aside Rs.8.5 lakhs from OPEN & Ignite fund raiser.
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
Totally 250 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 will join CSC for Rs.23,000/ month
SICS ( South Indian Cultural Society), a socio- cultural organization in Kuwait organized a fund raiser on April 18th 2008. Dancer / Choreographer Anitha Ratnam performed with her troupe and part of the funds was donated to Ignite.
OPEN & Ignite organised a fundraiser MAYA RAVAN by Shobana on Feb 28th 2010 and it was a roaring success.

Click here to see the videos of "Sandhitha Velayil"interview about IGNITE that appeared on 8th March 2010 on Kalaignar TV