Parijat Academy
Organization Description:
Parijat Academy is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free, holistic education to children from underprivileged tribal communities. The organization offers free or highly subsidized education from nursery school to grade 10. Established 20 years ago, it supports over 350 students, offering free accommodation, life skills, and vocational training. The academy focuses on nurturing students in a caring environment while empowering them to break the cycle of poverty. It also provides extracurricular programs like sports, arts, and livelihood training.
Skilled Volunteer Project Description:
Research funding prospects (foundations and corporates), Develop a fundraising plan, create a grant proposal template
Desired Skills:
Fundraising strategy, planning, research, writing
Background/Comments:
One of my favorite social entrepreneurs in the Northeast of India is Uttam Teron. He and his wife Aimoni run an amazing school serving over 350 disadvantaged children from ten tribal villages in Assam. Since 2003, this husband and wife team have been providing a free nursery through high school education to low-income kids that not only includes a full academic program but also a range of extra-curricular activities designed to develop the whole child:
Physical Fitness (athletics--soccer, cricket, track & field, trekking/hiking trips in the hills, etc.).
Dance & Drama (students learn classical dance of Assam, Satriya, and folk dances such as Bihu as a part of the regular school curriculum. They get lessons in acting, miming and street plays).
Livelihoods (the Parijat campus includes a weaving center which teaches traditional textile techniques to high school students; adults also learn tailoring, and sell their projects in the shop).
Health (professionals from Guwahati offer free health screenings, eye exams, vaccination clinics, and public health education to prevent illnesses and improve sanitation and hygiene).