Our Widows in Om Shanthi Old Age Home
By Anna Etter and Paulette Elberti Anna Etter, is the founder of the Om Shanthi Old Age Home, and Paulette Elberti is her close friend and collaborator. What does widowhood mean in India? In our Western culture, widowhood is an immensely traumatising and sad experience. In India, widowhood is even more challenging for our […]
A New Chapter for Aruna Designs
Interview of Anki Cowen by Marian McClelland In April, Anki Cowen and her husband Jon bought the house in Rockport, MA, where Aruna Designs’ wholesale inventory has been stored for the last 10 years. The minute she saw the vibrant handcrafts made at Premalaya by widows in Tiruvannamalai, India, Anki fell in love with the […]
Joyful Learning for Every Child
Joyful Learning for Every Child By Kanimozhi Ragavan, Project Leader for the Joyful Learning Project at Shanthimalai Schools. My name is Kanimozhi N. Ragavan. I was born and raised in Tiruvannamalai, South India. In 2023, I took on the role of Project Leader for the Joyful Learning Project at Shanthimalai Schools. I hold a degree in […]
Program Highlights 2025
Environmental Stewardship The first home built with “green” principles was completed and has been rented. Construction has begun of a second home, also for rent.The income from the properties will be used to help support programs. This year the Environmental Stewardship Program has continued it’s commitment to build networks: with neighbors, local government, schools, and […]
Spotlight on Sponsors Fall 2025
Vanessa Gilbert, originally from Australia, lives in Ohio, where she raised her four children. She is pictured here with her granddaughter Memphis, who is the same age as her sponsor child Jagadeeswari. Vanessa Gilbert met Janet Kramer, team coordinator for the Aruna Partnership Sponsorship Program, in the Cleveland Heights food co-op in Ohio thirty […]
Lions and Scrappies and Mice, Oh My!
Interview with Marian McClelland for the Aruna Designs team When people ask for the secret of Aruna Designs’ extraordinary success, we have to admit that we don’t really know! Our team feels privileged to participate in this wonderful collaboration with Premalaya Handicrafts, and we often find ourselves in awe of the way projects unfold. Sometimes […]
2024 Program Highlights
School Sponsorship Program Acknowledging the important role of the children’s families and the sacrifices they make, the School Sponsorship Program collaborates with parents to support student success. This year both schools continued to develop the many new initiatives begun last year. All of the programs focus on social-emotional-spiritual development, as well as on academic achievement. […]
M. Manoharan, living a life of service
Interview by Joni Rose Diskint and Celia Jackmauh M. Manoharan Sivakami (affectionately called Mr. Manoharan) is the director of the Mangalam Welfare Society (MWS), an organization in South India dear to our hearts at Aruna Partnership. Supported by your generous donations, MWS provides critical services for abandoned widows who are facing desperate life circumstances. Mr. […]
Spotlight on Sponsors Fall 2024
Joanna Cox, pictured here with her two daughters, recently retired from a 33-year career as a Nurse Practitioner at the Veteran’s Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She has sponsored Sudharsan’s education for the last seven years and also supports The Hybrid Learning Project and The School Fund with monthly donations. Interview with Robin Walden “What […]
Jane Chandler: Joyfully Supporting Aruna Designs
Interview by Marian McClelland for the Aruna Designs team Jane Chandler first opened the doors of The Beach House 40 years ago. Located in the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, her vibrant boutique entices locals and visitors from all over the world with colorful products and its warm, welcoming atmosphere. Committed to Aruna Designs, Jane helps […]