Educational Programs - Asmita
Educational Programs
Through Education,
We Build Futures
From Slums to Schools • From Illiteracy to Opportunity
For nearly three decades, ASMITA has walked alongside children from the slums of Varanasi — meeting them where they are, nurturing their first letters and numbers, and staying with them all the way to higher education.
We believe the upliftment of slum communities begins with an educated mind.
ASMITA's founder was clear from the start: the organisation would not run its own schools, but would help children enrol in formal schools. Yet many migrant children arrived so far behind that they struggled to keep up once admitted. That single challenge gave birth to our non-formal education centres.
For 28 years, we have worked in the major slums of Varanasi — teaching children to read, write and count before guiding them into formal school. At our peak we ran 25+ non-formal centres across different settlements.
But we noticed something: children rarely pushed past Class 5. Many dropped out into rag-picking, child labour or begging — and life did not change. So we shifted our focus to formal education and sustained support, staying with each child until higher studies. Today our emphasis is firmly on secondary, higher-secondary and beyond.
Our promise to every child
Our Educational Impact
Numbers grown over years of patient, child-by-child work across the slums of Varanasi.
Journey of Transformation
Every child begins somewhere. Through education, guidance and care, dreams become reality.
Slum Child
A child with little access to education or opportunity.
Non-Formal Education
Foundation of literacy, hygiene, values and joyful learning.
School Enrolment
Admitted into a nearby formal school, age-appropriate.
Academic Support
Fees, materials, school visits and parent engagement.
Higher Education
Mentoring and support to pursue graduation and beyond.
Dreams & Dignity
Confident, skilled and ready to build a better future.
Our Educational Programs
Nurturing children from their very first letters to higher education and beyond.
Non-Formal Education
8 Learning CentresOur foundational program since inception — the first step into a world of learning. An animator goes into the slum, gathers the children, helps them come clean and properly dressed, and runs 2–3 hours of joyful non-formal class.
This one-year experience of the most basic things is the beginning of a journey. Once the foundation is set, we enrol the child in a nearby formal school. These are not just classrooms — they are spaces to play, learn and grow, for character formation and cognitive development.
Formal Education
250+ Children SupportedStage two of our engagement. Every child from our non-formal class is admitted to a formal school the next academic year — some into Class 1, others into age-appropriate classes nearby.
But our responsibility doesn't end at admission. We make sure each child keeps attending, scores well, and that parents stay invested. Animators visit schools, meet teachers, and hold quarterly parents' meetings. We also provide school fees and study materials — today 250+ children are supported this way.
Higher Education
46 Students SupportedA major joy at this juncture is seeing children reach Class 10 and beyond — the result of many patient years. Many are now motivated and pursuing better, higher education.
To carry them past higher-secondary, we started a higher-education program. Today we support 46 students through graduation — all from slum backgrounds. A dedicated team provides mentoring, counselling, career guidance and hand-holding for college admissions and scholarships.
Scholarships
Powered by PartnersFor poor children who are eager to study, we have begun providing scholarships — taking up their fees or offering a lump sum for their studies.
This is made possible with the help of generous supporters and partner organisations, including BREAD, Buimerc India Foundation and Sai Maa — enabling deserving children to continue their education without their circumstances holding them back.
Voices of Our Children
The real measure of our work — the children who walked the journey with us.
From Our Centres & Classrooms
Glimpses of learning, joy and growth across ASMITA's education program.
Our Scholarship & Education Partners
This work is made possible by friends and organisations who believe every child deserves a chance to learn.