Project Nanhi Kali, which translates to ‘a little bud’ in Hindi, supports the education of underprivileged girls in India. Designed to support girls from low-income families to complete formal schooling till Grade 10, the project has impacted the lives of nearly 700,000 girls (called Nanhi Kalis) from underserved communities across 15 states of India.
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 by lanes of Varanasi. Project Nanhi Kali handholds hundreds of thousands of girls through their hopes and hardships.
Over the last 28 years, Project Nanhi Kali has ensured disadvantaged girls in India have a successful schooling experience. While doing this, the project has also ensured that these girls were not forcibly sent off to work in the fields, kept away from school for household chores or sibling care or worse married off early.
While educational support is a key component of Nanhi Kali, the project goes much beyond academic assistance. The project builds self-belief and resilience among the Nanhi Kalis and works with communities to create conducive ecosystems in which 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 the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across states and schools, we have reflected on our journey to date and done a deep dive into innovative strategies to align with the evolving educational landscape. While our fundamental objective of empowering girls and nurturing them into confident young women remains unchanged, we are poised to revolutionise our program. From the new academic year, Project Nanhi Kali will provide 21st century skills training to girls studying in Grades 6 to 10 thereby helping them to make a smoother transition from school to the workplace.
The details of the program are given below.
21st century skills: The program focuses on honing essential 21st century skills, encompassing financial literacy, digital skills, soft skills such as critical thinking and communication, and fostering an understanding of gender relations. This will be delivered during school hours.
Physical education module: A professionally designed sports education module exclusively for girls gives them an opportunity to participate in regular fitness activities thereby promoting their well-being. The program will build on leadership skills and teamwork while striving for excellence through sports.
Moreover, every Nanhi Kali will receive an annual Nanhi Kali kit consisting of shoes, 2 pairs of socks, 2 t-shirts, and feminine hygiene material.
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