Recently, while in India, I connected with Deepak, a young man living in the slums of Dharamashala with his wife Sonia and their two children Tamana (5yrs) and Arav (1yr). Their living conditions are appalling. Tents made from bamboo and plastic. No electricity. No toilets. One tap for over 800 people.

I met Deepak when he stopped me in the street one day and asked me if I could possibly buy some food for his family. Some eggs, rice and milk, for which he was very grateful, but it got me thinking. There must be something I could do that would be more helpful, that could provide a solution for their hardship. Then I had the inspiration to hold a fundraiser on my return to London. A 'by-donation' Sattva Yoga class that would raise funds to pay for schooling for Deepak's daughter Tamana. Deepak himself never had an education, and there is nothing he wants more than for his children to go to school, along with other children in his community. It costs merely 30,000 rupee per annum to school a child in India (less than £300). Since returning to London, I have reached out to other yoga teachers in my network and now there are ten of us, each sponsoring a child in Deepak's community. I've called the project The Academy of Love. Yogis supporting underprivleged children through education.

Deepak has now relocated to Rajasthan with most of his community after they were forced to return to their home state by the government.

I am in direct contact with the school principal of Sanskar International Academy, the leading and most reputable school in the Haryana/Punjab area of Rajasthan. The ten children from Deepak's community are enrolled now to begin school in March 2017. The school fees will be transferred directly to the school.

By providing these children with an education I truly believe we will be ensuring them a brighter future. If you are reading this, I do hope you can support this project in what ever way you can.

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