Our Story

A School Built on Vision, Resilience, and Community

Founded in 1936 in the village of Ullannur, Kerala, Rural Reconstruction Upper Primary (RRUP) School began as a bold rural development initiative led by Sri. M.K. Varghese—the village’s first graduate and a true visionary. What started as a vocational school empowering families through skills like beekeeping, weaving, carpentry, agriculture, and poultry farming later evolved into a traditional primary school after World War II. Nearly a century later, RRUP continues to stand as a pillar of opportunity, education, and hope in the community.

 

Education Without Barriers

Today, RRUP serves approximately 130–150 students from low- to middle-income families. As a private school offering free education, RRUP removes financial barriers that often limit access to learning. While instruction is primarily in Malayalam, the growing importance of English in today’s global world has created a meaningful need for English language exposure. Students’ English levels range from beginner to intermediate—but what they lack in resources, they make up for in curiosity, kindness, and an incredible desire to learn.

 

Why English Matters

For RRUP students, learning English isn’t just about language—it’s about access. Access to higher education, broader career paths, and opportunities beyond their village. These students dream big: of becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers, athletes, artists, and leaders in their communities. English helps open those doors.

 

How Kerala Volunteer Began

Kerala Volunteer was founded in 2014 from a simple but powerful connection: a young American teacher eager to continue serving, and a school eager for English instruction. From that friendship grew a program rooted in purpose and accessibility. By providing volunteers with accommodation steps from the school, Kerala Volunteer removes the high costs often associated with international volunteering—making meaningful service possible for people from all walks of life.

 

Impact First. Always.

At Kerala Volunteer, we believe volunteering should be about impact, not logistics. By simplifying the process and removing financial obstacles, volunteers can focus on what truly matters: building relationships, sharing knowledge, and helping shape brighter futures for RRUP’s students.

 

✨ Join us. Teach. Learn. Connect. Make a difference.
Together, we’re empowering the next generation—one classroom, one conversation, one student at a time.