A Journey Rooted in Purpose

John Peter is a development professional, educator, and career guidance practitioner with over 15 years of experience working closely with children, youth, and marginalized communities across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. His journey is shaped by a deep belief that every young person deserves the right guidance to discover their strengths and build a meaningful future.

Strong Academic Foundation

John holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Madras University, Chennai, along with professional qualifications in Teacher Education (B.Ed and M.Ed). This strong academic base enables him to understand students not only as learners, but as individuals shaped by family, society, and opportunity.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

To strengthen his professional practice, John has pursued specialized training in career counselling, psychometric assessment, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and human resource management. He is a certified student coach in psychometric assessment and career counselling, allowing him to guide students using structured tools, clarity, and evidence-based methods.

Hands-On Experience with Children and Youth

John has spent years working directly with children and young people in challenging contexts, including tsunami-affected coastal villages, slum communities, tribal regions, and nomadic settlements. Through his work with organizations supported by Save the Children and Plan International, he has contributed to education rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and child-focused community development, impacting over 5,000 children and youth.

Designing Meaningful Learning Spaces

His work includes setting up evening tuition centers, mobile libraries, alternative schools, child parliaments, life skills programs, and parent–teacher engagement platforms. These initiatives focused not only on academic learning, but also on confidence, participation, and long-term growth.

Leadership in Social Initiatives

John is the Founder of Aldu Foundation, which works with tribal communities and persons with disabilities through education and livelihood-focused interventions in Villupuram district. He also conceptualized and led “Yurt on Wheels,” an innovative alternative education initiative that brought learning directly to nomadic children and their families, bridging access gaps and restoring learning continuity.

Exposure, Leadership, and Global Learning

His leadership journey includes advanced training at Kanthari – International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs, along with participation in national and international programs on child rights, leadership, and social development, including exposure visits and consultations in the United Kingdom. These experiences strengthened his ability to think systemically and act locally.

Helping Young People Discover Their Path

Today, John focuses on career guidance, mentoring, and capacity building for students and young adults. His approach blends assessment-based counselling, compassionate listening, parental involvement, and long-term career planning, helping students make informed decisions about education, skills, and career pathways.

A Guidance Approach Built on Empathy and Clarity

John believes that career guidance is not about giving quick answers, but about walking alongside students, helping them understand themselves, explore possibilities, and take confident steps forward. His work is grounded in empathy, practical insight, and a strong belief in human potential.