SARASWATI – FREE EDUCATION FOR SLUM CHILDREN

सरस्वती – तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय

पावका नः सरस्वती वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती। यज्ञं वष्टु धियावसुः ॥ [ऋग्वेद 1/3/10]

O Saraswati (Supreme, Mother of knowledge and wisdom)! Bless us with the best knowledge, science and success. Purify our Aatmas with the best of virtues. [Rigveda 1/3/10]

Saraswati – Igniting Hope Through Education

Maa Saraswati – mother of all knowledge – is the divine name of the Supreme for seekers of Vidya.

In India, while education is fundamentally a birthright, it tragically remains an elusive luxury for countless children trapped in the harsh realities of impoverished slum communities. Here, the immediate struggle for survival often eclipses the pursuit of knowledge, diverting young lives from the path of learning. The Jan Swabhiman Welfare Society’s Saraswati initiative stands as a beacon of hope, passionately dedicated to transforming this stark reality by providing free, holistic education to these underprivileged children.

FREE EDUCATION FOR A CHILD FOR A YEAR – INR 5001 FREE EDUCATION FOR TWO CHILDREN FOR A YEAR – INR 10001 FREE EDUCATION FOR FIVE CHILDREN FOR A YEAR – INR 25001

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Why Saraswati is unique

Children at an outdoor class with a small whiteboard for maths

Our Comprehensive Approach: Nurturing Minds, Body, and Soul

Saraswati is far more than a conventional education mission; it's an emotion that fuels our teams, driving us to ensure the comprehensive growth and development of these young minds who were previously denied their birthright – the opportunity to bloom and transcend the societal barriers of caste and creed.

We operate directly within the heart of slum areas, including specialized centers dedicated to children from Pakistani Hindu refugee camps.

This ensures we directly address the critical educational needs of those most affected by extreme poverty, social challenges, and adverse environments. Our thoughtfully designed program is built to foster both academic excellence and profound personal well-being.

Key Pillars of Our Program:

Free & Accessible Education (6 Days a Week): We're committed to breaking down financial barriers, ensuring quality education is absolutely free and accessible to every child. We hold daily classes, six days a week, so no cost ever prevents a child from learning and growing.
Essential Learning Resources: To empower every student, we provide all necessary tools for learning, including free books, notebooks, and stationery.
Holistic Personal Development: Our curriculum extends significantly beyond traditional academics. Each day begins with the sacred Gayatri Mantra and other uplifting spiritual chants from the Vedas, promoting mental clarity and spiritual harmony. Regular "Dharma Shiksha" sessions are integral, instilling strong moral values, celebrating the richness of Indian culture, sharing ancient Vedic wisdom, and exploring our glorious history. There's a strong emphasis on Sanskar to nurture compassionate and dharmik young citizens.
Family and Child Counseling: Recognizing the importance of a supportive home environment, we offer frequent, personalized counseling sessions for both children and their families, fostering conditions conducive to learning and healthy growth.
Health and Well-being Support: We prioritize the overall health of our students. Occasional visits from qualified doctors provide vital health counseling, comprehensive check-ups, and free medicines, directly addressing critical health needs within the community.
Vibrant Cultural Enrichment: Beyond traditional academics, Saraswati meticulously cultivates a vibrant, positive, and truly inclusive environment. Our centers come alive during cultural events and festivals, where kids delight in refreshments, the excitement of bursting crackers, the joy of playing with colors, and simply the freedom to have fun.

Breaking Barriers & Expanding Our Reach

Crucially, Saraswati is also a dedicated and unwavering effort to dismantle societal barriers of caste and creed. We are actively building a future where every single child has an equal opportunity to learn, thrive, and realize their full potential, irrespective of their background.
We currently manage 25 Centers across Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Western Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to providing free education to children from Pakistani Hindu refugee families, as well as urban slums and ragpicker communities.
Our efforts are currently benefiting approximately 2000 children, including over 1500 Pakistani Hindu refugee kids.

The Power of VidyaDaan: Nurturing Futures

We firmly believe that VidyaDaan (the gift of knowledge) is the most profound of all donations, for knowledge imparted at an early age fundamentally guides and builds a child's career and character. Many of the children we serve lack anyone to look after their basic educational needs. Their parents, struggling with daily necessities, find educating their children an insurmountable challenge. Our dedicated volunteers step in to fill this critical educational void, providing support to the greatest extent possible.

From Darkness to Light: The Saraswati Transformation

Cultivating Values & Pride: Through our efforts, these kids aren't just gaining an education; they're actively training to become educated patriots, instilled with a profound pride in India's glorious culture. This instills a sense of spirituality, discipline, respect, and responsibility, preparing them to become good human beings and contribute meaningfully to the nation's future.
Behavioral Shift:The behavioral changes we've observed in our students are remarkable. Children who previously struggled with basic communication, often resorting to abusive language, have genuinely transformed.
From Disruptive to Dedicated: They've blossomed into tiny, bright souls passionately pursuing knowledge, showcasing a newfound focus and enthusiasm for learning.

Special Support for Our Pakistani Hindu Refugee Children

Dedicated Centers: We operate dedicated centers for Hindu children who have migrated from Pakistan and are living in refugee camps across India. These centers are managed in collaboration with Pakistan Untold, a remarkable team of Pakistani Hindu refugees in India led by Dr. Vashi Sharma (an IIT-Scientist and our mentor).
Addressing Persecution: These children fled Pakistan due to extreme persecution, abductions, and forced conversions.
Empowering Futures: With the twin pillars of education and protection, we are nurturing them to become the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, sportspersons, and social activists of tomorrow.

Join Our Mission: Be a Catalyst for Lasting Change

The Saraswati initiative thrives on the unwavering dedication of experienced educationists, devoted professionals, and a compassionate team of mentors and teachers.

You possess the power to directly contribute to changing a child's life forever. Your invaluable support enables us to continue offering this vital education and expand our reach, touching the lives of even more deserving children across India.

Children studying outdoors on mats in a community setting

Become a Sponsor:

You can sponsor a child's entire education for one year for a modest contribution of just INR 5001.
All donations to Jan Swabhiman Welfare Society are 80G tax-exempted, allowing you to receive tax benefits for your generosity.

Every single contribution, no matter the size, fuels our mission and makes a tangible, significant difference in a child's life. Together, we can unlock potential, dismantle barriers, and ensure that every child has the fundamental opportunity to learn, flourish, and build a brighter future for themselves and for our nation.

Our mentors

Dr Parul Agarwal
IT professional turned Professor with 25 years of experience in education, activist, educationist, Saraswati is her brainchild
Sh Dillip Sahoo
Social activist and IT professional with 15 years of experience working with world’s top IT service providers
Sh Vishal Arya
Social Activist, with more than a decade of experience in Team Building & Social Service
Dr Sourav Khanna
IIT (AIR 2), record holder in Punjab, mathematician, scientist, educationist
Smt Anantha Ellathur
30 Years of experience in education and social uplifting of downtrodden

Our patron

Smt. Madhu Doki

Chief Patron, Saraswati

Gallery

Sponsor a Child's Education (80G tax-exempted)