Education for a girl child born to a poor family is still a pipe dream. To make a change, to begin a movement that assures every girl child her right to education and a life of dignity, ‘Nanhi Kali’, a special project spells a world of hope for the girl children and intends to make this appalling fact, history.

Project Nanhi Kali was started by the K C Mahindra Education Trust (KCMET) way back in 2002. Naandi in joint partnership with KCMET started the programme in 2005 to provide education sponsorships for all deserving girl children whose families cannot afford education. This programme ensures that the underprivileged girl child attends school for her primary education, whether she is from an urban slum, a poverty-stricken rural village or a remote tribal hamlet.

Government education being free, it is usually the books, learning materials, uniforms that cost money. And for most underprivileged families this is an expenditure they are unwilling to make for their daughters, without doubt forcing them to drop out of school. The Nanhi Kali project supports the education of girl children through two kinds of sponsorships: those for girls in elementary school (Std 1 – VII) and for high school (Std VIII – X). Contributions of Rs 1800 and Rs 2500 per annum respectively will provide every girl child with direct materials (two pairs of uniform, two pairs of under garments, one pair of shoes & socks, stationary like books, pens, pencils, erasers and sharpeners) and learning support materials (tuition classes, by-monthly competitions in academics, cultural & creative activities, exposure trips, training for teachers, equipment for science lab & school infrastructure development).

The project has been extremely successful with the increase in the number of Nanhi Kali’s. Over 34,000 children are already a part of the programme. The transformation process of girl child education is obviously working and promises robust expansions every year.