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Project Nanhi Kali was started by Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, and is an initiative jointly managed by the K. C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation. The project strives to empower girls in some of the most remote corners of the country - from hamlets in rural Maharashtra to tribal settlements perched on the Araku hills in Andhra Pradesh, from the far-flung border districts of Darjeeling and Shravasti to the tiny bylanes of Varanasi. The project has impacted the lives of nearly 700,000 girls (called Nanhi Kalis) from underserved communities across 15 states of India.
While educational support is a key component of Nanhi Kali, the project goes beyond academic assistance. The project builds self-belief and resilience among the Nanhi Kalis and works with communities to create conducive ecosystems where girls are supported to reach their full potential. The objective is to ensure that while the girls perform well in school and complete schooling, they are also infused with the conviction that they are deserving of every opportunity in life.
With the implementation of NEP 2020 across states and schools, we’ve reflected on our journey and explored innovative strategies to align with the evolving educational landscape. Project Nanhi Kali works to equip girls in Grades 6 to 10 with 21st century skills, easing their transition from school to the workplace.
Program Highlights:
- 21st Century Skills: Focuses on financial literacy, digital skills and life skills like critical thinking and communication, and understanding gender relations.
- Sports Leadership Skills: A professionally designed sports/physical education module exclusively for girls promotes well-being, leadership, teamwork, and excellence through regular fitness activities.
Additionally, each Nanhi Kali will receive an annual kit with shoes, socks, t-shirts, and feminine hygiene materials.
How Do You Go About It?
Project Nanhi Kali is a participatory project where you can sponsor the education of an underprivileged girl child for Rs. 6,000 a year. Thereafter, you will receive a detailed profile of the girl you support, along with her photograph and an annual progress report at the end of the year, updating you on how she is faring in both academics as well as extracurricular activities.
To read more about Project Nanhi
Kali’s initiative – Click Here
