Who initiated Madurai Seed, and who forms its staff? Madurai Seed was officially registered by A. S.Karthik Bharathi, K. Anbarasan and V. Mariyammal in Karumbalai in February 2007. Karthik Bharathi, who grew up in Karumbalai himself, had previously worked for a similar NGO and has extensive first-hand experience of the local needs and problems. He is supported by M. Mansur, a full-time co-ordinator and IT graduate who is in charge of Madurai Seed’s finances, and K. Anbarasan, who works as a part-time co-ordinator alongside his degree course in Social Work. They, in turn, rely on a team of twenty college students who have volunteered to work with the various groups of children for two hours every evening and to conduct special activities during holidays. At present, Madurai Seed has one dedicated classroom, in addition to the library (used exclusively for quiet study). All other classes are regularly held on the rooftops of neighbours’ private dwellings, which shows the great willingness of the neighbourhood to support the whole project. The volunteers do not just teach but also provide role models with good study habits – day in, day out, week in, week out – an indication of the charisma, commitment and idealism of these people.