Project Nanhi Kali : Empowering underprivileged girls with access to quality education

The project works with communities to create conducive systems for the girls to complete the 10-year schooling

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Executive Summary

Education of the girl child is a global priority recognized under the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education and Gender Equality. The agenda gains even more importance for India. While governmental initiatives are in place, the urgency of bridging the gap necessitates a collective and expansive movement. This blog is about Project ‘Nanhi Kali ‘, a.k.a, “little Bud”, pioneered by none other than the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Mr. Anand Mahindra himself, way back in 1996, even before girl education and women empowerment gained global focus. He believed that handholding underprivileged girls through the journey of education improves not only their lives but also the lives of the family. It also impacts the community at large by breaking the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty.

The project works with communities to create conducive systems for the girls to complete the 10-year schooling

Project Initiatives

The project, designed to support underprivileged girls with 10 years of formal schooling has relentlessly strived for over 27 years towards the cause of girl child education. The initiatives undertaken are multi-fold.

Academic support:

The girls receive daily afterschool academic support through Academic Support Centres which operate within government school premises. Locally recruited women tutors and mentors engage the girls in concept-based learning. The year-long comprehensive educational support includes access to personalized adaptive learning software that matches instructions to the learning level of each girl, ensuring that she learns with understanding. The software is pre-loaded onto digital tablets, allowing access to quality education even in remote locations.

Cultural impact:

An annual school supplies kit comprising a school bag, stationery, pullover/raincoat, and feminine hygiene material is given to every girl, enabling her to attend school with dignity. A professionally designed sports curriculum is integrated into the program, allowing Nanhi Kalis to participate in fitness activities regularly and promote holistic development. Every year, the girls participate in the project’s annual sports event called Toofaan Games, competing in various track and field events at the block, district, and national levels.

Social initiatives:

The holistic initiatives go beyond just academic support. The project works with communities to create conducive systems for the girls to complete the 10-year schooling, and build self-belief and resilience to unleash their full potential. The project has strived to ensure girls are not deprived of education due to reasons such as forced diversion to fieldwork, sibling care, and child marriages.

Impact :

Jointly managed by K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation, Project Nanhi Kali has impacted over 590000+ girls to date, across 15 states. Project Nanhi Kali is today regarded as India’s largest program that enables underprivileged girls to complete 10 years of schooling and has garnered the trust and support of over 250+ corporate partners. Project Nanhi Kali works on a cost-effective and collaborative sponsorship model that allows both individuals and corporates to contribute towards supporting the education of girls for no more than Rs. 5400 per month.

Roadmap :

We aim to educate 1 million girls by 2026. It may seem like an uphill task, but with collaborative efforts, we will certainly come closer to realizing an ambitious dream of educating 1 million girls. Together, let’s empower girls and show them that they matter! To know more, visit www.nanhikali.org.

This commitment is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 & 5 of Quality Education & Gender Equality.