Our Team

S. Jeyapaul Sunder Singh Founder & Managing Trustee

S. Jeyapaul Sunder Singh is a seasoned development professional and child rights advocate with over 20 years of experience working with orphaned and vulnerable children, particularly those affected by HIV and AIDS. He is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Buds of Christ Charitable Trust, where he has led the design and implementation of community-based programmes focused on education, health, psychosocial wellbeing, child protection, and life-skills development.

Prior to founding Buds of Christ, Jeyapaul held leadership and technical roles with organizations such as UNDP, World Vision India, INP+, and USAID-supported HIV programmes, working across Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. His work has included programme management, policy advocacy, capacity building, and developing participatory life-skills models for children and adolescents.

He has also served as a Member of the District Child Welfare Committee and the Local Complaints Committee in Namakkal district, contributing to child protection and gender justice. Jeyapaul continues to advocate for dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for the most vulnerable children and families.

Dr G John Daniel Ph.D Founder & Trustee

Dr. John Daniel serves on the Board of Buds of Christ Charitable Trust, supporting its mission to improve the lives of children and young people affected by HIV in Salem and Namakkal districts of Tamil Nadu. He brings strategic insight, ethical guidance, and a deep commitment to justice, compassion, and child-centred development.

Dr. G. John Daniel is a senior academic and practitioner in intercultural studies currently serving as Head of the Department of Intercultural Studies and History at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS), Bengaluru. He holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from SAIACS, with doctoral research focused on transnationalism among Sri Lankan Tamil churches in Greater London. His academic interests include diaspora studies, theology of mission, research methodology, and mentoring emerging leaders.

With over two decades of teaching, leadership, and research experience, Dr. John Daniel has contributed widely through publications, lectures, and international academic engagement across South Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Mary Julie MSW., MSc Psychology Founder Trustee

Mrs. Mary Julie is a trained counsellor, psychologist, and community health professional with extensive experience across government and non-government sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (Medical & Psychiatry) from Stella Maris College, Chennai, a Master’s degree in Psychology, a BSc in Nutrition from Women’s Christian College, Chennai, and a Fellowship in Community Health from SOCHARA, Bengaluru. She is also a certified Social Auditor (SA 8000).

Mary Julie has served as a Counsellor with the Government Observation Home in Salem and as a Project Manager and Life Skills Trainer with the Positive Women Network, Chennai. She has contributed to policy advocacy through developing strategic papers using the CEDAW framework, addressing issues affecting women and young girls living with HIV.

She is the Co-founder and Trustee of Buds of Christ Charitable Trust, where she leads psychosocial care and life-skills initiatives for children, adolescents, and young people through the Nalam Child Development Centres.

                                

Geethalakshmi - Women Care Coordinator

Geethalakshmi is a grassroots community leader and social worker with over a decade of experience supporting children and families affected by HIV in Namakkal and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu. Widowed at a young age and diagnosed with HIV in 2007, she transformed personal adversity into a lifelong commitment to service.

Associated with Buds of Christ Charitable Trust since 2010, she began as a beneficiary and now serves as Centre In-charge at Tiruchengode, coordinating support for children living with and affected by HIV, widow mothers, and elderly caregivers. Through support groups, home visits, counselling, and treatment education, she empowers families and reduces stigma. She is widely respected for her courageous, compassionate leadership and community impact.

Shalini Dharmaraj - Child Care Coordinator

Shalini Dharmaraj is a resilient grassroots leader and social work professional from Tamil Nadu, born with HIV and shaped by lived experience into purposeful service. Despite early health challenges, stigma, and social exclusion, she transformed adversity into strength through education and peer leadership.

Shalini holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master’s degree in Social Work, combining technical expertise with deep community engagement. Associated with Buds of Christ Charitable Trust since her adolescence, she began as a beneficiary and volunteer and now serves as a Child Care Coordinator, leading psychosocial support groups, peer counselling, treatment education, and life-skills programmes for children and young people living with HIV.

In recognition of her courage, leadership, and grassroots impact, Shalini was selected as a CII Foundation Woman Exemplar Award Finalist (2006)—a national platform that honours women changemakers driving social transformation at the community level. By openly sharing her story, she continues to challenge stigma and inspire young people to live with dignity, resilience, and hope

Sanjai – Media Associate

Sanjai is a young media professional and youth advocate from Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, who has been living with HIV since birth. Choosing courage over silence, he has openly shared his journey to challenge stigma and misinformation around HIV, especially among adolescents and young people.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication and serves as the Media Associate at Buds of Christ Charitable Trust. In this role, Sanjai supports visual storytelling, documentation, and awareness initiatives that amplify the voices of children and young people living with and affected by HIV. His story has been featured in national media, highlighting how access to treatment, peer support, and positive role models can transform lives.

Beyond media work, Sanjai is passionate about dance. He enjoys dancing and regularly teaches dance to children at Buds of Christ, using creative expression to build confidence, joy, and emotional wellbeing. Through his work, creativity, and lived experience, Sanjai inspires young people to believe in themselves and challenges society to see beyond stigma demonstrating that HIV does not define a person’s future.

Dharshini – Administrative Associate

Dharshini is an Administrative Associate at Buds of Christ Charitable Trust, where she supports the organization’s daily operations with care, responsibility, and dedication. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree and plays a key role in administrative coordination, record-keeping, and logistical support that enable programme teams to serve children and families effectively.

Having grown up without the care of both parents, Dharshini brings deep compassion, resilience, and empathy to her work. Her lived experiences have shaped a strong commitment to stand with children living with HIV and those facing vulnerability and loss. She approaches her role not just as a job, but as a calling to serve with dignity and integrity.

Dharshini is also known for her artistic creativity, and she enjoys cooking and housekeeping skills she often shares during camps and community programmes to create warm, nurturing spaces for children. Courageous, caring, and dependable, Dharshini is a valued member of the Buds of Christ team and a quiet source of strength for the children and colleagues she serves.