A large fraction of students who attend State run schools in India are from an underprivileged socio-economic background. There is a high rate of dropouts immediately after higher secondary school (Sixth form). Especially, girl children tend to take up menial daily wage labour jobs. Given their disadvantaged backdrop these children, however talented and intelligent, never make to Universities and end up leading a poor quality life.

Chavali Foundation, a charity run by Scientists, aims to help girl students compete and obtain admissions to Undergraduate studies and empower them to lead a more independent life. We do this by supporting infrastructure development in State run schools. Through our ‘Growing with Learning’ programme

(i) We support setting-up and/or developing libraries in schools. Specifically, we support purchase of books and other infrastructural needs, such as computers and/or access to online educational material as part of the library set-up accessible to students throughout their time at the school.

(ii) We support setting-up and/or developing smart classrooms, with audio/visual capabilities to promote co-operative and experiential learning and aid real-time interactions with distantly located speakers through video-conferencing.

The Foundation has been working towards this since 2014 and has helped develop libraries and set up smart classrooms and develop sports infrastructure in schools in the Southern Indian city of Pondicherry. In addition, we have also instituted a Fellowship for Masters in Biotechnology in Pondicherry University, helping students create more opportunities.

We specifically emphasise on ‘Girl Child Education’ and seek help to set-up libraries and smart class rooms in Girls Higher Secondary Schools in Pondicherry and adjoining areas. We have been working towards making underprivileged girl children competent to get admissions into Undergraduate programmes, by purchasing books and online course materials.

We have been contributing a part of our income towards this cause. However, we realise that each step in this process takes more time with few people contributing. With more hands joining, more opportunities would be created and more lives would benefit in a shorter span.

Every little helps to make a big change in a girl’s life. Any contribution, however small, is greatly appreciated. Join us in creating opportunities for making brighter tomorrow for young girls. Thank you very much.