About Akanksha

The Akanksha Foundation (www.akanksha.org) is a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of India’s less privileged children, enabling them to maximize their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through the Akanksha centers and also formal education by initiating school reform through its six schools.

Over the past 20 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one center to over 3.500 children in 57 centers in Mumbai and Pune, with an additional 2100 children in 6 schools. A commitment is made to support each child by providing a strong educational foundation, making it fun to learn, self esteem and values, and to help them plan how they can earn a steady livelihood as a step towards improving their standard of living.

“My dream is that one day all children will get a chance to do something good for themselves and for their own country.” Ravi K

Akanksha aspires to provide each child with:

• A strong educational foundation in English and Math

• A sense of self-esteem and values

• A good time where children learn with joy, both in and out of the classroom

• Tools that they can use to create a future livelihood for themselves and prepare them for life.

Akanksha encourages children to dream but more importantly, aspires to empower them to deliver on their dreams.

Art for Akanksha

Art for Akanksha aims to develop observation, perception and creative potential through an art curriculum that includes the basics of drawing, painting, traditional Indian art forms and craft activities. At Art Class, groups of Akanksha children meet in a fun and laughter-filled environment to produce artwork for handmade greeting cards, bags, paintings, and other items.

The next step for older art children was The Akanksha Art workshop…

The idea is simple. To use existing space to bring together less privileged and privileged children through art in a way by which each learns and grows. Along the way we hope to empower our alumni, spread awareness about Akanksha and fill a gap within the city for truly creative outlets for children.

 “I feel I am in heaven when I am with my colors. I can create my own world and have control over it” - Raju, 14   Says Raju, “When I was in the 6th standard, I did not like studying. I never understood why it was so important. I thought all this will never help me. But after joining Akanksha, I know it is important to know English, and to study. I want to be someone in life and for that I have to study. This is how I have changed”.  Raju wants to be an artist when he grows up and sell his paintings. Raju says, “My future plans are to become an artist and then give back to Akanksha what it has taught me”. 

Akanksha in the US

The Akanksha Fund Inc. is a 501(c)3 charity that is registered in New York State (EIN 13-3976569).   Akanksha’s US address is c/o Sarah Roberts—President and Treasurer, 400 Central Park West, 17Y, New York, NY 10025, 917-930-6515, akankshafund@msn.com.   

Shelley Seale | Writer & Chocoholic

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The Weight of Silence
Invisible Children of India
http://weightofsilence.wordpress.com

"What has been the best thing about being a part of this program?" I asked him, as I had Raju.

"Akanksha has inspired me," said Ravi. "They find out what you're interested in and they help get you on a path for that."

The culture of service that Ravi possessed was one Akanksha seeks to foster in the organization and all its students. Besides education, they provide mentoring and a sense of self-esteem. Many graduates are now trainee teachers or social workers and serve as role models to younger students. The Social Leadership Program focuses on giving children an understanding of social issues and helps them become agents of change in their own communities. Akanksha students have volunteered with tsunami relief efforts, Bombay Hospital pediatric ward and local school renovations. Such projects not only foster the value of service in the children, but give them a level of status and importance to the community - a first for many of them.

"We've been around long enough to prove ourselves to the children, parents and community," Tina said as the students slowly left for the day. "We encourage them to dream a little bigger than they otherwise would."