WHAT WE DO

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION

We put our beliefs into practice by trying to bridge the gap between the low level (or absence) of funding and the appropriate level of funding that is required to deliver a quality education. By applying passion and discipline to our work, we create a situation in which children can get an education.

Our first year: 2021-2022
During our first year of operation (2021-22), we were able to send 44 kids to school and college with the help of our generous donors. Majority of them are girls, because we are great believers of the adage — “if you educate a girl, you educate a nation”. Education ought to be an integral part of every individual’s life. And, when girls are educated, countries become stronger and prosperous.

Twenty-three 6-13 year old children were shortlisted for aid from KNEF to attend schools affiliated to West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) and West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE).

Twenty-one students qualified for our College Scholarship Programme. Thanks to our patrons, these children will be able to realise their dreams and not just change their own lives but also the lives of their family members, for all times to come.

Total number of the College Scholarship Beneficiaries — 18 girls & 3 boys

  • Pursuing Graduation from West Bengal University (Kalimpong College, Kalimpong; Cluny Women’s College, Kalimpong; Salesian College, Siliguri); Indira Gandhi National Open University (11 girls & 1 boy)
  • Pursuing BA Programme (Computer Applications + Political Science) from University of Delhi (1 girl)
  • Pursuing Nursing degree from St. Mary's School of Nursing, Bangalore; Gangothri Academy of Nursing Education, Bangalore; Anandalok Institute of Nursing Education, Siliguri; Asha Niketan School of Nursing, Bhopal (4 girls & 1 boy)
  • Pursuing Computer Applications diploma from Lalani Computer Academy (1 girl)
  • Pursuing Hotel Management from Inspiria Knowledge Campus, Siliguri (1 boy)
  • Preparing for Civil Services examinations from The Dhronas Academy of Competitive Exams, Siliguri; Super 50 Academy of Competitive Examination, Kalimpong (2 girls)

Of the above:

  • 5 have lost their fathers
  • 17 would be the first in their family to attend college
  • All 21 belong to single income families (all daily wagers)

OUR SUPPORT BEYOND FUNDING

Since all our scholarship beneficiaries come from underserved backgrounds, their parents are mostly uneducated and are unable to provide guidance to their children. The foundation mentors and helps these children make the right choices based on their interests and aptitude. We also help students navigate the bureaucracy and paperwork necessary to gain admissions and receive the financial aid. For younger children, we interface with the schools, on behalf of the parents, for their admissions and fee subsidies.

The Foundation provides rigorous counselling to prepare every scholarship beneficiary (children as well as parents) for acceptance into educational institutions. Our goal is to prepare these children to become well informed, responsible and respectful citizens of the community — young adults, who set ambitious personal goals and create a plan to achieve them. We encourage the students to reflect on their personal progress which helps them to match up to the high standards of excellence expected of them.

CLOSING THE FINANCIAL GAP IN EDUCATION

The time we have spent with the children in our village and their parents have taught us one thing — there are many who are living in abject poverty because of which these children are unable to go to school to study and hence are unable to escape the poverty trap, one generation after another. We are actively working to change their situation through our intervention by providing funds to them to go to school and college.

Our need is ongoing and we continue to reach out to donors who are interested in helping to provide an education, an opportunity to change lives, to enable people to overcome poverty. Without the donors’ support, this mission of transformation would not be sustainable.