Jeeva Jyothi was founded in 1994 by four enthusiastic social activists who came together to bring ethical changes in the lives of the children in difficult circumstances especially children in the streets and working children.

Initially, work started in a village called Kosappur where youth were motivated to become volunteers of Jeeva Jyothi and were sensitized about child labour. Jeeva Jyothi’s activities in Pammadu Kulam focused on the children of Rag picking community. The programme covered the
activities like supplementary education classes, Non-formal education classes, medical assistance, school enrollment, awareness programmes, Creative camps, Street theatre programmes, Home placement, vocational training, job placement, folk arts training and sports. More than 30,000 street and working children were covered in North Chennai through Jeeva Jyothi’s intervention.

Jeeva Jyothi has initiated a Children assistance booth at Perambur Railway station, through which many run away children were reached. These children were reintegrated with their families and the children who were not willing to go to their families were admitted in children homes.