AKANKSHA FOUNDATION

Shaheen Mistri is building a bridge between poor children living in slums and a broad range of institutions that cater primarily to middle-class Indian children. In the process, she is creating new opportunities for poor children and giving middle class schools and other institutions the tools to help combat high levels of illiteracy among the urban poor. Shaheen's schools operate before and after office hours, in middle class schools and in public places such as science centres and corporate offices. Besides the clever use of underused space, the venues make it easier to build alliances with corporations who wish to help and mobilize high quality volunteers. Each Akanksha Centre is supported by a business corporation.