Bridging the digital divide – Gurugram
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened pre-existing disparities, particularly in accessing education. PwCIF sponsored the online education of 60 underprivileged students in Gurugram by providing them with tablets to bridge the deep digital divide amplified by the pandemic. This has not only helped in their continued learning and retention within the education system but also built their digital skills for the future.
Empowering girl children, Project Nanhi Kali, Darjeeling, FY22-23
PwC India Foundation (PwCIF) has been supporting project Nanhi Kali since 2019, with the objective of empowering underserved schoolgirls studying in classes 1–6, in Darjeeling district. The project aims to curtail the high dropout rate prevalent amongst schoolgirls in India, while ensuring an enabling ecosystem for them to attend school with dignity and attain quality education. Trained women tutors called ‘community associates’ support Nanhi Kali’s holistic development. These women belong to local communities and are well versed in cultural sensitivities, which allows them to engage properly with the students.
Special education for special children, Kolkata , FY22-23, Beneficiaries reached-3,434
PwCIF is supporting NGO partner Hope Kolkata Foundation in improving educational facilities for children with learning difficulties and special needs through activity-based learning in Government schools.
Project ‘Improving educational opportunities for children in slums’ additionally supports therapy (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dance movement therapy and speech therapy) and resource centres for children with special needs. The academic progress of these children will be monitored through the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) which will be generated on a quarterly basis and based on the assessment, the progress of these children will be analysed.
Printing braille books for visually impaired school children, Kolkata, FY22-23
PwCIF supported NGO partner Turnstone Global in making education accessible to visually impaired children. Visually impaired school and college students often face challenges in obtaining braille books, leading to a high dropout rate compared to their sighted peers. The availability of a limited number of computerised braille presses in West Bengal also contributes to this issue. Our project addressed the setback by printing braille books, including syllabus and story books, through an upgraded braille unit. This intervention was aimed at providing visually impaired college students with essential study materials, in order to reduce inconvenience and support their education despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evening learning centre support for tribal children, Yadgiri, Karnataka, FY 22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 257
PwCIF supported NGO Vanavasi Kalyana in ensuring that children from tribal communities get proper education. During this intervention, youth from the tribal community were trained and appointed as teachers of evening tuition centres. These teachers were also trained to operate these centres. Both students and teachers who were unable to pursue higher education due to financial constraints are being assisted through this project. These learning centres have also helped reduce dropout rates in schools.
Setting up of computer lab and teaching computer courses, Chennai, FY22-23
PwCIF supported NGO partner Sevalaya in helping school students acquire fundamental computer skills and technological literacy. We established a computer lab which helped provide basic MS Office training to students from classes 3 to 9 in S.R. Kalyanaraman Memorial P.S. Matriculation School in Mylapore, Chennai. The lab was equipped with desktops, UPS and air conditioners. We supported the school in collaborating with an authorised computer centre which offered certified computer education complying with the school syllabus.
Mainstreaming out-of-school children in schools, Uttar Pradesh, FY22-23
PwCIF supported NGO partner Bucket List in mainstreaming out-of-school children in schools by using the Yuva Leader Model, a model that empowers young changemakers, referred to as yuva leaders (YLs) or Bucketeers, to help identify, mobilise, enrol and teach two six-month batches of out-of-school children. Successful YLs were also rewarded with either a fully paid trip to work with organisations across India or enrolment in a skill-development training course/scholarship. The project aimed to foster youth leadership and address the educational needs of out-of-school children.
Supporting individuals with limited intellectual abilities, Gujarat, FY22-23
PwCIF supported NGO partner Gujarat Stree Pragati Mandal in reaching out to children with low intellectual abilities. Children with mental health challenges have trouble managing their emotions and understanding their surroundings. Additionally, it is challenging for persons with limited intellectual abilities to find a job in an increasingly competitive world. The intervention, through its concept of a ‘sheltered workshop’, engaged children with paper-bag making throughout the day, while supporting them to learn new skills. The workshop was also aimed at motivating parents to accept the kids’ abilities while building confidence in their children.
Special education for children with disabilities – Kolkata
PwCIF is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality education. To that end, we are providing differently abled children with special education and therapeutics, and livelihood skills training for their mothers in slums in Metiabruz, Kolkata. This intervention will also facilitate scholarships for the children, community sensitisation and mainstreaming of children with disabilities in government schools and other institutions.
Strengthening education and teacher livelihood support in nomadic tribes, Maharashtra, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 312
Nomadic tribes are one of the most vulnerable groups in the country and lack access to basic healthcare, livelihood opportunities and education. PwCIF is supporting makeshift schools for nomadic communities in Latur, Solapur, Osmanabad, Pune and Kalyan in Maharashtra to encourage doorstep education and reduce the barriers that children from these communities face. We also supported the livelihoods of schoolteachers from such communities during the pandemic to ensure their well-being and the children’s continued access to education.
Enhancing critical knowledge of girls NGO partner VOICE4Girls, Hyderabad, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 295
PwCIF is supporting a project in Hyderabad to create a learning atmosphere that encourages young women to think critically, speak in English confidently, be reflective and creative, and find ways to apply the classroom knowledge to real-life situations and challenges. The intervention is empowering over 500 girls across five low-cost private schools by providing them with critical knowledge about health, safety and self-awareness, and building their communications skills for negotiation and self-advocacy.
Strengthening STEM-based learning in Government schools, Telangana, FY22-23, Beneficiaries reached: 197
PwCIF supported NGO partner Seva Sahayog Foundation in setting up a STEM-based mini science centre in Government schools. The intervention looks at improving the interest of school students towards learning science and mathematics by creating an enjoyable and effective ecosystem. It hopes to empower teachers by providing them with teaching aids and improving their regularity in conducting classes for science and mathematics through better engagement.
#SkillsinAction – initiatives for enhancing youth skills and improving employability
Skill building is a powerful tool to empower individuals and enhance their employability. While technical skills pave the way for economic gains, critical soft skills help in boosting self-confidence. The World Youth Skills Day 2021 is an opportunity to reflect upon how skills training can positively impact the well-being and economic status of the youth. PwCIF is collaborating with several NGOs to make a difference in the lives of the youth across India.
A few of PwCIF’s CSR initiatives towards skills development for the youth are presented below:
Skilling differently abled youth and empowering the underserved
PwCIF is supporting a centre that provides skills training in basic information technology, English communication, tailoring, retail, healthcare, hospitality, beauty and wellness, and paper craft. The project is positively impacting the lives of differently abled youth from the economically weaker and marginalised sections of society. The trained youth are also provided with employment support post the completion of their skills training.
Supporting budding entrepreneurs from West Bengal and the Northeast, FY22-23, Beneficiaries reached: 23
Budding social entrepreneurs were supported as part of School of Social Entrepreneurship India’s (SSE India) flagship ‘Social Start-Up Fellowship Programme’ with PwC India Foundation. PwC India experts came together during a nine-month long journey to help develop the ideas and visions of social entrepreneurs through study sessions and action planning. PwCIF has been working with SSE India for a number of years to bring together private and social sector resources to support the community. Moreover, it brought together leaders and volunteers within the firm to provide mentorship to these leaders of tomorrow, as its commitment to reach out to communities by going beyond simply providing funding.
Improving the employability of the youth – Howrah district
PwCIF, in collaboration with its partner NGO, is supporting a skill development institution in West Bengal. The intervention aims to improve the employability and provide job opportunities for the youth through job-oriented skills development. The institute provides technical training in various fields, including electrical works, industrial sewing machine operations (ISMO) and refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC). The skills-training sessions are imparted through technical courses for a six-month period.
The initiative focuses not only on enhancing the technical skills of the underprivileged youth in a vocation of their choice but also helps them in improving their soft skills. Post the completion of the training, the NGO partner helps the beneficiaries in securing placements through job fairs. While some students are employed as technicians in leading multinational companies, a few others have also started their independent ventures.
More than 150 beneficiaries have been trained since 2017, and the average placement record is approximately 60%. At present, 53 students are enrolled in different courses and digital mediums are being used to impart training due to the current restrictions.
Building quality infrastructure to facilitate learning outcomes for the youth
Good infrastructure facilitates better instruction, improves student outcomes and reduces dropout rates amongst the youth. PwCIF collaborated with its NGO partner on a development programme that has set up a library and resource centre for 523 young and adult beneficiaries. The READ Library is an engaging place for both kids and adults. The beneficiaries visiting the library are mainly children and young adults from the community who are aged between 12–25 years and studying in schools or colleges. They are enthusiastic about learning new concepts and participating in the activities and sessions planned by the centre staff involving videos, presentations on specific topics, reading newspapers and books, and speaking and reading English.
Connecting underserved children to education in Kolkata, West Bengal
PwCIF partnered with its NGO partner Hope Kolkata Foundation in Kolkata, West Bengal to reach out to disadvantaged children aged 6-14 from the slums and helped them complete primary education in a child-friendly, inclusive environment. Children with special needs had access to inclusive education in school. As a result of the interventions parents of children with special needs are now able to identify children with disabilities early. Additionally, teachers and community members are made aware of how to identify and support children with special needs.
Making girls self-aware and equipping them with life skills in Khammam, Telangana
PwCIF partnered with its NGO partner Voice4Girls in Khammam, Telangana to educate 250 adolescent girls with VOICE curriculum. Her VOICE curriculum aims to help marginalized adolescent girls to take informed decisions about their future and plan accordingly. The program focuses on critical knowledge i.e., health, safety, rights and future planning along with life skills i.e., problem solving, independent critical thinking ability, negotiation, decision making and interpersonal skills.
Constructing a toilet facility in a rehabilitation orchard for children with mental and physical disabilities in Tamil Nadu, FY22-23 Beneficiaries reached: 250
NGO Amar Seva Sangam developed a Rehab Orchard, a transformative space which works with children affected by cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases. PwCIF supported NGO Amar Seva Sangam in building inclusive toilet facilities in the orchard to cater to the needs of the children with disabilities.
About PwC
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