Krishna Venta Takes Hardships with Philosophical Attitude (Interview, 9/3/1952)

Things are going from bad to worse for Krishna Venta and his followers of the World
Fountain of Knowledge, Faith and Love in Box Canyon near Santa Susana.

Electrical power has been shut off at the village for nine days, and now the camp is running
out of firewood for heating water and cooking. The group’s leader said things can’t get much
worse. Venta said the service program of the Fountain is bogging down for lack of gasoline to
transport workers where they are needed. “Our service work must now be in walking distance,”
said the barefoot, robed leader of 76 resident followers. “This is a test which may bring the
village and Ventura County residents closer together,” Venta said. “I hope that more people will
take an interest in our work,” he added, “and will come to the village and visit.” He explained that
the Box Canyon village is open to the public at all times. Venta issued an invitation to members
of the general public to take part in nightly singing and Sunday messages of the group. “Cooking
on open fires and laundering by hand, living as we are, is good training in case we ever have to
face extreme hardship,” Venta said. “Fortunately, we still have a fairly good supply of food.” He said
he still hopes to be able to build a hospital in the canyon and to carry on with the service program.