Sarva Ashram Foundation aims to ensure that every child, regardless of economic, social or geographical background, gets access to quality education. We work to shape the future of children and youth through education. Sarva Ashram Foundation believes that education is not just a right but the most powerful tool to break poverty, inequality and social shackles. Our aim is to provide quality and accessible education to children in every corner of India, especially in areas where access to education is difficult.
We believe that every child deserves a bright future. With this thought, we not only connect children to school but also provide them with all the necessary resources and support to continue their studies. Our team provides education through schools, learning centers and mobile schools in rural, urban slums and remote areas. Sarva Ashram Foundation not only provides education but also focuses on the overall development of children – such as moral education, digital learning, skill development, sports, arts and personality development.
Our dream is to have a society where every child is educated, self-reliant and self-confident. We are working to open doors of opportunities for future generations through education.
The activities undertaken by Sarva Ashram Foundation for education are as follows:
Increasing access to education:- Sarva Ashram Foundation believes that access to education is a fundamental right of every child. But in many parts of the country, especially in rural, hilly, tribal and urban slum areas, children face many challenges in reaching school – such as distance, financial constraints, lack of transportation and social barriers. We take various initiatives to remove these barriers so that no child is deprived of education.
Key initiatives taken by Sarva Ashram Foundation in increasing access to education:-
(a) Schools and learning centers in rural and remote areas
* Setting up free schools or learning centers in areas where government or private schools do not have access.
* Creating classrooms in village community halls, panchayat ghar or rented buildings.
(b) Use of technology in education
* Making learning easy and interesting through digital classrooms, tablets and e-learning modules.
* Providing good teachers even in remote areas through virtual classes.
(c) Evening and holiday classes
* For children who work during the day or are unable to go to school due to household responsibilities.
* Facility to study in the evening or on holidays.
(d) Mobile school / bus school * Converting a bus or van into a classroom to provide education to children.
* Especially for children who live far away from a permanent school.
Financial and material support:- One of the biggest challenges in education is financial and resource related problems. Many families cannot afford their children’s education – books, uniforms, fees, and school fare often put children off education. Sarva Ashram Foundation ensures that no child’s education is stopped just because of lack of money. We provide the necessary financial and material support to children and their families so that they can continue their education without any hindrance.
The major supports are as follows:
(a) School kit distribution
* Every year children are given a free school kit which includes – books, notebooks, uniforms, bags, pens-pencils, drawing materials and shoes.
* This support is especially for children from poor and slum areas.
(b) Mid-day meal program
* To ensure that children do not leave school due to hunger, we provide nutritious food.
* Many times this food becomes the motivation for children to come to school.
(c) Scholarships and Sponsorships
* Scholarships are given to meritorious and financially weak children.
* Under the “Sponsor a Child” program, donors can directly bear the fees and education expenses of a child.
(d) Exam and Tuition Support
* Bearing examination fees so that children can appear in board and competitive examinations.
* Providing free tuition and homework support classes to needy children.
Quality Education:- Just providing access to education is not enough, but it is also important that children get quality and modern education. It is often seen that children go to school, but due to poor quality of education, they are unable to progress. The goal of Sarva Ashram Foundation is to provide such education to children that not only makes them strong in studies, but also prepares them to succeed in every field of life. We make the learning experience of children more effective with modern technology, trained teachers and innovation based methods.
The activities done for quality education are as follows:
(a) Trained teachers and volunteer training
* Appointment of qualified and trained teachers to teach children.
* Training volunteers and youth on “Teaching with Empathy”.
* Organizing Teacher Training Workshops from time to time.
(b) Digital and smart learning
* Smart classrooms, projectors and tablet based learning. * Facility of E-learning modules and digital libraries.
* Connecting rural children with internet and technology.
(c) Adult education and continuing education
* Literacy campaign for illiterate adults.
* Bridge program for those youth who have dropped out of school.
(d) Practical and life-useful education
* Going beyond books, teaching children problem solving, communication skills, teamwork and leadership abilities.
* Connecting children with moral education and values.
Awareness and promotion:- Just opening a school or providing education facilities is not enough. Many times family, society and traditions become a hindrance in the education of children. Such as – poverty, child marriage, child labor, gender inequality and lack of awareness. Sarva Ashram Foundation believes that unless the society is made aware about the importance of education, permanent change is not possible. For this purpose, we organize awareness campaigns, workshops and community programs on education related issues.
The major campaigns in this are as follows:
(a) Community meetings and parent consultations
* Meetings with parents in villages and urban slum areas. * Explain to them why it is important to send children to school.
* Parent-Teacher Meetups so that the family can play an active role in education.
(b) Street plays and theatrical performances
* Street plays on education, child labor, child marriage and gender equality.
* Giving messages to the general public through simple language and art.
(c) Media and digital promotion
* Social media campaigns for messages related to education.
* Use of posters, banners and video documentaries.
* Awareness through local radio and newspapers.
(d) Information about government schemes
* Informing children and parents about government schemes and scholarships related to education.
* Helping them to avail the benefits of the scheme.
5. Special and inclusive education:- Education is the right of all children – whether they are facing any challenge physically, mentally or socially. But the reality is that children with special needs are often deprived of education. The aim of Sarva Ashram Foundation is that every child, whether he is blind, hearing impaired, physically disabled or has difficulty in learning – should also get equal opportunity for mainstream education. We connect such children to studies through Special & Inclusive Education Programs and help them become self-reliant.
The major supports in this are as follows:
(a) Special schools and resource centers
* Separate learning centers and special schools for children with special needs.
* Individualized teaching plan by expert teachers.
(b) Auxiliary education tools
* Braille books and audio learning material for visually impaired children.
* Hearing aids and sign language training for hearing impaired children.
* Wheelchairs, ramps and special classroom design.
(c) Therapy and counseling
* Speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy facilities.
* Counseling for special children and their parents.
(d) Inclusive education training
* Training teachers of normal schools so that they can teach special children in normal classes.
* Teaching mutual cooperation and sensitivity to children.
Extracurricular activities and personality development: – The real purpose of education is not limited to books only. The all-round development of a child is possible only when he gets the opportunity to study as well as play sports, art, music and personality development. Sarva Ashram Foundation believes that every child has a special talent. If he gets the right guidance and platform, he can realize his dreams. With this thought, we run Co-Curricular Activities and Personality Development Programs for children.
The major contributions are as follows:
(a) Sports and Fitness
* Activities like cricket, football, kabaddi, volleyball and yoga. * Annual Sports Meet.
* Developing teamwork, discipline and health awareness among children.
(b) Art and Culture
* Drawing, painting, craft work and handicraft classes.
* Workshops on music, dance and drama.
* Competitions and cultural festivals that help children develop confidence and creativity.
(c) Leadership and communication skills
* Debate, speech and public speaking programmes.
* Teaching children responsibility and leadership qualities.
* Personality Development workshops and motivational sessions.
(d) Health and hygiene education
* Health check-up camps and dental/eye check-ups. * Making children aware about hygiene, nutrition and mental health.
* Initiatives like “Clean Hands – Healthy Child”.
(e) Life skills and moral education
* Teaching children skills like decision making, problem solving, time management.
* Focusing on moral values and social responsibility.
Vocational and skill development:- In today’s time, only schooling is not enough. It is important to teach children and youth such skills that can make them self-reliant and get employment. It is very important to give vocational training to children, especially from poor and rural families, who are unable to complete higher education. Sarva Ashram Foundation ensures that the youth not only get a degree, but also learn practical and employable skills to succeed in life.
The major contributions in this are as follows:
(a) Computer and digital education
* Training in basic computer, internet and digital tools.
* Teaching MS Office, email, online application, and digital payment to the youth.
* Initiative to connect children with coding and robotics as well.
(b) Sewing and handicraft training
* Sewing, embroidery and fashion designing classes for girls and women.
* Handicraft, bamboo/wood work, painting etc. for rural youth.
* Providing a platform by the NGO to sell the finished products in the market.
(c) Vocational Courses
* Training programmes like Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter and Motor Mechanic.
* Beautician and Healthcare Assistant courses.
* Training for Hospitality and Retail sector.
(d) Entrepreneurship Development
* Guidance to youth to start small businesses.
* Promotion of women entrepreneurship through “Self-Help Groups (SHGs)”.
* Micro-finance and startup support.
(e) Career Guidance and Employment Support
* Guidance to youth in choosing the right career as per their aptitude.
* Resume Writing, Interview Skills and Communication Training.
* Job placement in companies after completion of training.