The name Avalokita is short for Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Love and Compassion. In Indian philosophy, a Bodhisattva is a human who postpones his own enlightenment to first help others attaining self-realization.

Avalokita is established February 23rd, 2006 that wants to operate globally, focusing at first on South-India.

Avalokita has a three-member Board, and an Advisory Committee. There are freelancers for our project work and a volunteer for Public Relations.

Members of the Board are:

• Mr. Anton A. Duijn, Chairman
• Mr. Jan Zomerdijk, Secretary/Treasurer
• Mr. Henny Bos, Member

Avalokita works together with Basic Water Needs Foundation (BWNF) from the Netherlands which has developed low cost safe drinking water purification systems. Avalokita has developed the needed implementation and awareness activities in five villages in south India in cooperation with Palmyra NGO and Yatra Arts Founation.
Based on experiences with this development project in India, Avalokita acts to the needs and requests of underprivileged people. Initiator of our foundation is Mrs. Pallas Hendriks. During her assignments with BWNF she gained insights in the origins of specific problems related to underprivileged groups.

During the execution of the arts-oriented awareness campaigns and the implementation of safe drinking water facilities, it became clear that adults and children were learning fast and enjoyed these educational programs.
The teachers at the school became enthusiastic. Similarly we worked with women groups. The men of the villages were informed through street theatre and video projects in the villages.

Presently all people who are involved in the pilot project Thenkodipakkam, buy daily safe drinking water for Euro 0.01 per 20 liters. Safe drinking water facilities are implemented now in four other villages.