------------------------------------------------------ --MY STORY --------------------------------------------------------------

I am Anukriti Goyal, a Jaipur girl, a free thinker, who has a zest for ‘getting things done’. Sometimes you’ll find me scanning the streets of Matunga searching for the best southie treats! But apart from that, I am a graduate in Polymer Engineering from UDCT and have a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship from TISS. I left a career in the petrochemical industry with Reliance to initiate a cause called Apni Shala. Here’s why.

When I grew up having access to a great education, I heard of so many cases of violence, aggression and gender inequality in our society. I’m sure you have heard of these too. I also saw children losing track of their goals, falling prey to society’s ills and being unproductive citizens of this nation. I often wondered, ‘Where are we going wrong? Is academic learning enough for us to grow into responsible citizens?’

Today, I’ve found the answer.
In 2012 in order to address this very issue, I with two of my friends started Apni Shala for children from underprivileged backgrounds. Apni Shala works on the underlying principle of "Powerful Experiences can Change Lives". Amazed by the outcomes and improvement in children’s attitudes by our initiative, I want to extend it to more children. And for that I need your help!

---------------------------------------------------ABOUT THE CAUSE-------------------------------------------------------

Apni Shala goes beyond ‘academic knowledge’ and focuses on building interpersonal skills, emotion management and critical thinking skills in children. To do this, we engage children in experiential learning programs like community project work that has them going out into the real world, critically analyzing social problems and implementing solutions in the real world!
How do children benefit from this?
Experiences lead to self-discovery! Today, 70% of our children engage in finding solutions to negative behavior in their everyday life. They are also better at:
• Critically analysing and resolving a tough situation in their daily lives and in society
• Taking initiative to solve problems around them
• Evaluating their value systems

But what do children feel about the program?
" I never thought I could ever go out in community and do a research project. I am so happy today." - Simran, 12 yrs old, Govandi Municipal School

Ears for more stories? visit www.apnishala.org

----------------------------------------------------THE FUNDS--------------------------------------------------------------

Apni Shala has reached out to 1100 children in two years through its programmes. This year we are continuously engaged with 550 children and we plan to double this number next year!

*Through this campaign, I aim to raise funds to take Apni Shala to another 100 children.*

That means 100 more children start living happier lives and become better citizens! How awesome is that?

YOU CAN BRING THIS CHANGE! SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN!

A full year access to Apni Shala’s programme to a child takes Rs.1520 only. 80% will go towards facilitator fees, material in classrooms and content development. 20% will go towards monitoring & evaluation and capacity building of facilitators.

# INR 1520 or $25 ensures full year Life skills Program for a child
# INR 3540 or $50 , Yes! Life skills Program for 2 children!

And YOU can just keep adding more! Help me take this number to 100 CHILDREN!
Apart from this any contribution, in any denomination will help us to increase the outreach of our program.

* All donations made through Indian accounts will receive tax exemption certificate from Apni Shala.

START YOUR CAMPAIGN to give access to life skills sessions to more children!
If you want to connect to us, volunteer, know more about our work please write to me @ anukriti@apnishala.org.