Spark Hope in Marginalised Children Through Storybooks in Howrah
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400
Books Goal -
311
Books Received -
0
Days to go
Know more about us
Who we are
Ashalayam was founded in 1985 in Howrah, West Bengal. We are a child-centered NGO that works with children from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds. Many of the children we support have faced homelessness, neglect, or dysfunctional family situations. Our mission is to create a safe and caring space where they can grow up with dignity and hope. We provide shelter, education, emotional support, and life skills training : everything they need to rebuild their confidence and take steps toward a better future. At the heart of our work is a belief that every child deserves love, structure, and real opportunities to thrive.
Our work and its impact
At Ashalayam, we work on two complementary levels to support vulnerable children and young people in Kolkata. On one hand, we run non-formal education programs for children who still live with their families or communities but are at risk of dropping out of school. Through tutoring, guidance, and personal follow-up, we help them return to school and avoid long-term exclusion from the education system.
On the other hand, we welcome children who are without family support into our residential homes, where they receive protection, stability, and full access to education by enrolling them in school. After completing 10th standard, we help our youth enter vocational training such as carpentry, Decathlon-sponsored programs, or technical institutes (ITI). Those who complete 12th standard can even pursue higher education, including nursing or other professional studies.
This twofold approach allows us to adapt to each child’s unique situation, considering both their personal journey and their social context. In the long term, our work helps reduce school dropout rates, fight child neglect, and give young people the tools they need to become skilled, confident, and responsible members of society.
How we will utilise these books
The story books from Pratham books raised through this fundraiser will help us create a reading environment in our homes. We plan to set up regular reading sessions where children can discover stories on their own or together in small groups. For many of them, reading is still a challenge, so having access to age-appropriate, illustrated books will make a real difference. It will help them build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and gain confidence with language in a fun and stress-free way. By making books part of their daily routine, we hope to spark curiosity, encourage imagination, and turn reading into a lifelong habit that supports their reading skills and personal growth.
Supporters
| Family Berthier | ₹10,000 |
| M OU MME DEBAY PHILIPPE | ₹10,182 |
| Anonymous | ₹6,260 |
| Name | Donate Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | ₹10,000 | October 01, 2025 |
| ₹10,182 | September 29, 2025 | |
| ₹6,260 | September 29, 2025 |