Association Malenbaï

The Association

Association Malenbai is a French non-profit organisation (law of 1901). It was created in order to set up and run humanitarian projects in India.

Named after the goddess of the Rajasthani desert, Association Malenbai's aim is to help some of the most vulnerable children in Rajasthan by providing a stimulating and happy education and an alternative to child labour and early marriage. Following the Steiner Waldorf principles, we focus on creativity and confidence-building and work closely with the local community.

This organisation is of a humanitarian and social nature and does not pursue any profit, religious or political purpose.

Our story

Our story began - in true Bollywood style - with love at first sight between a french tourist, Capucine and a camel driver, Pabu. Capucine gave up her Parisian life to live in the desert with Pabu and his family and they married and had two children. From the beginning, the local children begged Capucine to teach them to read and write and in 2007 Malenbai Association was born. Capucine appealed to her own class teacher, Jacques Monteaux, for help and in 2016 together they launched Darbari Waldorf School, a Waldorf Steiner school on the outskirts of Jaisalmer. Jacques has continued ever since, training local teachers in Steiner methods and thanks to Ganpat Ram, our first school teacher and School Project Manager, they are going strong seven years later, with 8 class-levels and more than 50 children aged 4 to 18.

Structure and financing

Darbari Waldorf School is supported by the French association Malenbaï in connection with the Indian NGO "Malenbaï Institute for Education" that was created on site to run local operations.

The school does not currently receive any state subsidy.

The investment budget (construction) is funded by partner associations and foundations (see Our partners) as well as by donations from individuals.

The operating budget - Teachers' salaries and training, running costs (rent, water, electricity, maintenance of the premises, etc.), children's meals, training costs (travel, accommodation for teacher-trainers) - is covered by donations from the Fondation Freunde der Erziehungskunt and by individuals via sponsorships. Families participate towards tuition fees by up to 6% of the necessary budget.