Projects in India
KINOE helps to fund an inspiring educational project in India called Akanksha. It reaches around 4,600 children from the slum communities of Mumbai and Pune.
The Slum Communities
An estimated 7 million people live in the slum and street communities of Mumbai, 60% of the city’s massive population. Around 2.5 million are children. Their houses are made of corrugated iron sheeting and plastic. Large families often live in one room with no sanitation, electricity or water supply. Many children cannot attend school full-time because they need to help supplement their family’s income by working or begging, or they need to stay home to do the household chores while their mothers work. Unfortunately substance abuse and violence are very common.
Most children from the slums drop out of the free government schools they attend within the first five years. These schools are poorly equipped and have a high student to teacher ratio. The children face a bleak future.
Akansha
Since 1996, KINOE has raised and sent funds to a project which believes that an early start with good basic education is the best way to help India's slum children help themselves. The Akanksha Foundation was founded in 1991 by Shaheen Mistri, and has since managed to create opportunities for over 2,600 children who study in 53 Akanksha schools. The project has also been invited to incorporate their teaching methods into the curriculum at a further 10 state schools, reaching a further 2,000 children. Its mission is to impact the lives of less privileged children enabling them to maximize their potential and change their lives. It aspires to provide the children with a balanced education that focuses on both intellectual and emotional development.
In 2001 KINOE secured a five year grant from the Big Lottery Fund for the project. In its final evaluation report the BLF commented:
“A model project in terms of its strategy to prepare young people for participation in community life, as well as facing a very competitive work market of Mumbai.”
Big Lottery fund, 2005 evaluation
The Schools
The Akanksha schools supplement the child’s normal schooling, attending for two and a half hours a day. They provide each child quality time each day away from the harsh environment of the slum. The structured, safe surroundings provide them with the security necessary to gain self-confidence and kindles their ambitions with a desire to change their lives. Graduates have now achieved places at college and gone on to find good jobs.
Each school:
- Accommodates 60 children
- Uses under-utilized spaces for 2.5 hours each day
- Teaches children using non-formal, innovative, fun and practical teaching methods
- Employs qualified teachers
- Effectively draws on a large group of volunteers to assist paid teachers and staff
- Integrates children into the formal school system, (supporting them thereafter)
Akanksha makes use of private and government aided school rooms, office spaces and public spaces to run schools. Each space provides an atmosphere conducive to learning, and one that is a real change from the conditions in the slum. They are places to learn, play, create and experience the joys of childhood.
The aim is for each child to:
- Have a strong educational foundation
- Have a deep sense of self-esteem
- Have a good time in a space where they can be children
- Grow into concerned citizens and leave with a job.
- Be encouraged to dream
How Much Does It Cost?
A small amount goes a long way.
It costs less than £5 a month for one child to attend an Akanksha school, just £58 a year.
Annual costs for one school of 60 children include:
| £12 | One field trip |
| £72 | Year’s supply of snacks |
| £111 | Uniforms |
| £224 | All art and stationery kit for a year |
| £386 | Admin and maintenance |
| £795 | Annual salary for one teacher |
| £2,545 | All personnel costs – 2 teachers, 2 assistants, 1 social worker |
| £3,454 | Everything the school and 60 children need |
If you would like to help in any way please contact us or visit the donate page.
Please visit www.akanksha.org for more information about Akanksha.
“In a very cost effective way, Akanksha reaches out to the under-privileged children. It teaches them more than the regular subjects. With care and affection it helps them to assess their value systems and exposes them to a larger canvas. The volunteers while giving their time get affection from the children. At Akanksha there is no one way street. Everyone is giving something and receiving something in return.”
Anu Aga, Ex Chairperson, Thermax India Ltd.
“Akanksha's most important gift to slum children is not only education but hope. To see the sparkle in the eyes of Akanksha kids is to know that goodness is alive in the world.”
Alyque Padamsee