Project Spotlight: Angel Xpress Foundation (India)
Ashoka Consultancy Club has partnered with Angel Xpress Foundation (AXF) to help them adapt to the pandemic-driven transition from in-person to online teaching as well as to raise funds and expand operations beyond Mumbai.
Angel Xpress Foundation
AXF started off in 2012 as a platform for conscious and concerned citizens of Mumbai to spare some of their time and resources for the betterment of school-going children from neighbouring slums. First-generation learners in slum-dwelling families lack guidance from an educated parent. There are significant gaps in development in these regions: poor teaching at public schools, a lack of nutrition, and the absence of basic necessities such as clothes, shoes and toys. With the addition of their exposure to violence, these children miss out on opportunities to obtain a decent education and discover their talents.
Through its programs, AXF wants to prevent children from participating in poor-value systems and straying into a life of criminal activity. It aims to provide them with the opportunity to become educated citizens of the world. Over the past 8 years, AXF has grown in strength and numbers, and been recognised by local newspapers and Bollywood celebrities. It has established itself as a well-structured and eminent organisation that has made significant strides towards achieving its vision:
“Every child deserves the best opportunity.”
AXF’s flagship project, The Free Learning Centre Program, encompasses 20 centres, 2200 students and 700 volunteers at present. Students enrol into the program starting from Grade 2 and are tutored, mentored and guided through to Grade 12 by talented volunteers and mentors. English and mathematics are the core subjects covered at AXF’s centres. Apart from academics, every centre conducts value-based lessons, talent development programs, counselling sessions, life-skills classes, and livelihood training to provide a wholistic education which improves the students’ future prospects. AXF also organises lifestyle and educational trips to enhance the children’s exposure to different environments.
Ashoka Consulting Club’s role: strategies to facilitate online classes, raise additional funds and expand beyond Mumbai
The outbreak of COVID-19 last year compelled all teaching to go online. AXF’s students cannot afford mobile phones to support their studies, which is a major concern for AXF, whose primary aim is to not let kids leave their education unfinished. Ashoka Consultancy Club is working on an outreach strategy to aid the organisation with data sourcing and acquiring at least 500 mobile phones directly from manufacturers at subsidised prices.
Furthermore, Ashoka Consulting Club has been providing recommendations concerning AXF’s marketing and fundraising strategies since July. They are helping AXF raise funds to carry out “Ration Drives” every day and pay 50% of underprivileged students’ monthly data costs. The club is also geo-mapping a community centre, slum area and pool of volunteers to assist AXF launch a new centre in Pune, a fast-developing city close to Mumbai.
