Operating States: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh
SAMPARC’s Community Education Program is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting education among underprivileged children—particularly girls—living in rural, tribal, and slum communities across four Indian states. The program was originally inspired by SAMPARC’s partnership with the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust through the Nanhi Kali initiative, which focused on ensuring that girl children from weak socio-economic backgrounds receive uninterrupted education up to the 10th standard.
Launched in 2002, the project was first implemented in the Maval and Mulshi Talukas of Pune District in Maharashtra, reaching out to 200 girl children from impoverished rural families. Over time, the program evolved into a more comprehensive model of community-based education support. The core objective remained centred on empowering young girls between the ages of 6 to 18 years through sustained educational interventions. However, the program also addressed the wider family environment by fostering awareness about food security, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, lifestyle practices, and values.
The impact of the initiative has been transformative. The success of the Nanhi Kali program created a ripple effect, fostering a strong educational culture in over 40 villages. Families who once hesitated to send their daughters to school began actively supporting their academic journeys. The educational atmosphere developed within these rural communities has sparked significant psychological shifts, particularly in attitudes toward girls’ education and future aspirations.
One of the most notable outcomes has been the reduction in child migration to cities for work or informal labour. With better access to education at the village level, children are staying closer to their families and continuing their studies. Parents have become more involved in their children’s academic lives, recognizing education as a path to stability and progress.
Though the original phase of the program under the Nanhi Kali banner concluded in March 2020, its legacy continues through SAMPARC’s ongoing community education initiatives across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. These efforts focus not only on academic support but also on holistic development—building self-confidence, life skills, and a long-term vision among rural children.
SAMPARC’s Community Education Program stands as a powerful example of how localized, child-centric interventions, when combined with family engagement and community outreach, can drive sustainable change in the lives of marginalized children.
Through the Community Education Support Programme, SAMPARC offers educational assistance to poor and needy children from underprivileged communities. Children are provided with all necessary stationery items to encourage regular school attendance. The teaching staff at each centre supports the children with their studies and also tracks their school attendance and academic progress.
The tutor conducts classes for these children six days a week at the centre, after they attend their regular schools. The beneficiaries of this program come from very poor backgrounds in the seven surrounding villages, and due to poverty, their education has often been neglected. The children attend government-run schools, and the SAMPARC tutor teaches English, Math, and Science subjects. To keep the children engaged, various activities such as cultural events, celebrations, and sports are organized.
SAMPARC EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH
91 children from Junior KG to 10th standard are receiving educational support through the Community Education Support Program.
SAMPARC COMMUNITY EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN VILLAGE GANGANI, JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN-
70 children from the 1st to 8th standard are supported under this project.
SAMPARC COMMUNITY EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN THE VILLAGES OF SUNDARBAN AREA NEAR KOLKATA AND IN URBAN SLUM AREA IN KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL
Under the Community Education Support Program, SAMPARC provides educational support to 455 poor and needy children from underprivileged communities at eight centres in the Sundarban area and one centre in the Haridevpur slum area of Kolkata. Children receive educational materials and nutritional support to encourage regular school attendance. Teaching staff at each centre assist the children with their studies and monitor their attendance and educational progress. Below are the details of each centre:
Computer Literacy Drive for the Poor Rural Students is also supported by SAMPARC in Village Kashinagar in Sundarban Area, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. 60 students are getting the benefit of this Effort.
A total of 455 children are under Community Education & Computer Literacy Support in West Bengal.