ES – Vathsalya Charitable Trust

“While parents possess the original key to their offspring’s experience, teachers have a spare key. They too, can open or close the minds and hearts of children.”

- Haim Ginott Between Parent and Child (1965)

Vathsalya Education Sponsorship (ES)

Equal opportunity. Empowerment. Education for all.

Originally established to help children from our Child Development Centers (CDC) continue their education, Vathsalya has long offered scholarships to deserving students based on merit or financial need. In 2017, recognizing the potential to extend our impact beyond scholarships, the Education Sponsorship (ES) program was launched as an independent vertical. Today, ES supports over 1,200 students, offering more than just school fees coverage—it provides holistic support for their academic and personal growth.

In India, over 1.5 million children drop out of school annually due to financial constraints, with 27% of dropouts aged 6-17 citing cost as the main reason (UNICEF, MHRD). This perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. Aligned with the Government of India’s universal education goals and Sustainable Development Goal 4, our organization tackles this issue by offering educational opportunities to the underprivileged and marginalised communities. Predominantly focusing on single parent households, Vathsalya seeks to improve access to education by providing parents with sponsorship for basic education in collaboration with partner schools.

Our program focuses on a child’s overall development through family strengthening. We partner with schools that appoint Child Development Teachers (CDTs), who volunteer their time to monitor the well-being of sponsored children and their families. This creates a robust support and accountability system, ensuring that each child has the resources to succeed. In addition, parents receive counselling and regular follow-ups to further empower the family unit in supporting the child’s education.

This program includes:

Awareness Programs – We conduct regular awareness sessions to educate families and communities on the importance of education and personal development.
Early Intervention – Identifying and addressing educational challenges at an early stage ensures that students receive timely support, preventing them from falling behind.
Teacher Training – We collaborate with schools to provide training for Child Development Teachers, equipping them with the skills needed to support the unique needs of sponsored children.
Parent Counselling – Parents receive ongoing counselling to strengthen their role in their children’s education and well-being, fostering a nurturing home environment.
Volunteer Connection – We connect volunteers with students for mentoring, guidance, and extra-curricular support, enriching the educational experience.

The strong bond of trust built among the children, families, and schools with Vathsalya has enabled the continuation of education, even through the challenges of the pandemic.

Impact

The Education Sponsorship team has worked closely with partner schools to provide quality education for 16,815 children. The team has worked closely with the families of these children, encouraging them in whatever way possible. Parents have been counselled on topics relating to the needs of their children. Children have been educated on the importance of managing stress and academic pressure. Awareness sessions have been conducted regularly to help them cope with the demands of school life.

In partnership with sponsors, parents have been encouraged to take responsibility for building their families, and children have greatly benefited from this initiative. Many of them have performed very well and have gone on to do very well for themselves and their families.

Peer support groups for parents have been initiated which seeks to help parents prepare documents that will help them avail rights and benefits for their families.

Testimonials

We are grateful to hear stories of hope and transformation from those we’ve had the privilege to support on their journey.

The coordination with our CDT teachers Ms. Manjula. D and Mrs. Sunita has been crucial in addressing issues of our students. Their systematic follow up of student’s activities and their academic progress both inside the school and with their family have helped greatly reduce the friction between us teachers and their parents. The parents are more interactive with us teachers and respond better as well when we are dealing with their children.

Ms. Manjula Teacher, Mohre Public School

Vathsalya's support has greatly impacted our students from low-income and single-parent families. Their efforts have improved student outcomes, increased parental engagement, and strengthened our school community. The timely funding and partnership have been invaluable. We deeply appreciate their dedication, which has made a tangible difference. Their tireless work continues to uplift our students' lives.

Ms. Sabhiha Teacher, AMB Public School

Vathsalya’s sponsorship has enabled 85 children to receive education, uplifting both their academic and personal growth. Families struggling financially now find relief, ensuring a brighter future for their children. Awareness programs have strengthened parental involvement, fostering a supportive learning environment. The school has seen remarkable improvements in student engagement and overall development. Vathsalya’s dedication continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference.

Ms. Anthoni Amma Teacher, Pine Hall School

Vatsalya Charitable Trust has opened new opportunities for hardworking children, shaping their bright futures. Education empowers them to uplift their families and break societal barriers like child marriage and dowry. Skilled girls contribute significantly to the nation's progress, making education essential. Regular counseling sessions strengthen family support and student motivation. Their partnership and financial aid continue to transform lives meaningfully.

Ms. Hepzibah Teacher, Bethany English High School

Vatsalya’s sponsorship has transformed students' lives by covering educational expenses and fostering overall development. It reduces financial burdens on families, ensuring children continue their education without interruption. Through skill-building programs and counseling, students gain confidence, motivation, and essential life skills. The initiative also combats dropout rates and child labor, allowing children to focus on academics. By uplifting both students and families, Vatsalya is creating a stronger, more empowered community.

Ms. Swarna Teacher, RR Gobal School

Ramya, from an underprivileged family, faced hardships as her father is visually impaired and her mother, Chithra, works as a maid. Due to financial struggles during COVID, her brother had to drop out of school. However, Ramya received an education sponsorship, bringing hope to the family. Her mother’s dream is to educate at least one child, and she is deeply grateful to Vathsalya. This support has given Ramya a brighter future and immense happiness.

Ramya Ramya’s mother Chithra

Team that makes it all possible

Shyla

Education Sponsorship Coordinator

Dedicated to closely supporting sponsored students & their families. She coordinates for training/workshop and home visits. She works closely with CDT teachers to ensure no child gets dropped out from & does through follow up.

Sangeetha

Barefoot Case Worker

She visits sponsored students’ homes, monitors their progress through teacher and parent meetings, collaborates with CDTs for events and training, and provides daily updates to the CDO.

sumithra

Education Sponsorship Coordinator

Dedicated to closely supporting sponsored students and their families. Tracks student progress and intervenes promptly to address any challenges. Responsible for capturing data for reporting purposes.

vaishnavi

Child Development Officer

Supports program effectiveness by overseeing reports, planning strategies, and developing formats. Collaborates closely with CDT teachers and networks with stakeholders and other NGO’s

Wesley

ES Project Officer

Wesley brings to Vathsalya a unique blend of experience spanning both corporate and development sectors. With 7 years of impactful work under his belt, he embodies a focused and people-centric approach to his role as Education Sponsorship Project Officer.