About Aksharaa Charitable Trust - ACT in #2, 3rd Cross, Bangalore

Who
We are a group of five friends (Sanjay Kumar K, Anand Naik, Banu Sangeetha, Mithun S Murthy, Akash Jain) Just like you, we often wondered how we can “make a difference” in the lives of those who are less privileged than we are. We look around us. There’s so much to do. But how? What? Where?

After many years of thought and deliberation, we decided to ACT. On 8 February 2014, we set up the Aksharaa Charitable Trust (ACT).

What

The Aksharaa Charitable Trust (ACT) aims to improve the quality of education in rural schools in Karnataka. Research has shown that the two crucial skills that increase opportunities for employment are good English language skills and good Math skills. Our rural schools lag behind in both areas. ACT works with schools to build capacity in children in these two areas. We visit schools in rural Karnataka, tell them what we do, and offer our services. If the school agrees to work with us, we personally visit schools, teach children, learn with them and encourage their all-round development by sponsoring sports equipment and extra-curricular activities.

We’ve kept our mandate simple and achievable. We know there are several dire problems in our country: hunger and starvation, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor sanitation, lack of employment opportunities and several others. However, we don’t want to solve all the problems in the world. We believe a strong educational foundation is the key to success for these children. We want to provide them with practical skills that will make them employable.

Aksharaa Charitable Trust is registered under the Companies Act. We are in the process of registering the Trust under 80G to offer income tax benefits for our donors.

Where

We are currently working with 3 schools in Mulbagal, Kolar and close to Mandya.
1.The GPHS Balla school in Mulbagal has 65 students and 3 government appointed teachers. The school has classes from 1st through 7th grade.
2.My Acetate Higher Primary School is close to Mandya and has 300 students from 1st to 7th grade.

How

Our approach is simple: Motivate children to learn what they need, to improve their chances of employment and therefore lift them from poverty. Children are naturally enthusiastic. We have found that something as simple as giving them new, attractive school supplies can motivate them to come to school and learn. Holding sessions that are fun and unstructured but have a message, can motivate them to learn. Giving them enough time to play and explore their natural talents, makes them better students. Even the novelty of listening to teachers who are not from their school, keeps them curious and interested.

We teach English and Math to students. We conduct sessions on hygiene, on sustainable environmental practices, on the importance of sport and extra-curricular activities. We listen to them. We encourage their enthusiasm to achieve their dreams and goals. We give them a sense of support and assurance. We give them new school supplies. Our English and Math books are sourced from Ravi Publications. They are easy to teach and understand. They make learning fun.

Why

... because we can and we want to. It’s really that simple. We have chosen our area of intervention based on two parameters:
1.The need
2.Our own capabilities in fulfilling the need

We realized that most people are like us: they want to give back to society in some way but don’t know how. Our journey has been nothing short of phenomenal. We have received overwhelming support from friends and well-wishers both in cash and kind. We want to expand this platform of giving and enrol more people into our cause.

We are clear that we are on a mission – to improve the quality of education for children in rural schools. We believe our mission will lead to different visions for different children – but they will all have a common goal and purpose: to become productive self-sufficient citizens of society.

How you can help

We need sponsors for:
1.Teachers (Rs. 5000/- per month)
2. Notebooks & Stationery (Rs. 325 per child)
3.School bags (Rs. 375 per child)
4.Sports equipment (please check with us to understand the need for each school)

You can also help by simply being curious about what we do, learning more about us and advocating our cause within your circles. You can engage with us to help us find new or better ways of doing things. You can volunteer to teach. You can visit the schools with us. You can stay connected.


Name : Aksharaa Charitable Trust
Account number : 34185795898
Type of Account : Current Account
Bank : State Bank of India.
Branch : Sanjay Nagar
IFSC : SBIN0010500


Contact us
If you have questions want to know, please call one of us

+91-9980092725 – Sanjay Kumar K
+91-9036603547 – Anand Naik
+91-8553328841 – Banu Sangeetha
+91-9844718973 – Akash Jain
+91-9886796097 – Saranya S
+91-8867280537 – Ravi Shankar
+91-9008779307 – Mithun S Murthy