Ekam Foundation Mumbai has touched the lives of many on its journey to help underserved children secure a better future. It has helped children from all walks of life across three programmes: School Health Programme (SHP), Surgery Support Programme (SSP) and Ekam Education Programme (EEP). Today, many of the children that were supported by the programmes are coming back to support the NGO. The NGO is delighted to have created responsible members of the society and labels them as “champions of the city”. Ekam Foundation Mumbai salutes these champions and wants to share the inspiring journeys of Gauri, Lalita and Bhavini.
Gauri, Third Year Mechanical Engineering student
Gauri (name changed) is a mechanical engineering student in her final year of pursuing a B.E. degree in Mumbai. Gauri is a career-oriented individual with a remarkable academic record and a range of extracurricular achievements to match. She aspires to become an entrepreneur and establish herself as a women’s leader in the corporate world. As an only child, Gauri is determined to break gender stereotypes and show that she can take care of her family, regardless of her gender. With a budding business idea in mind, she needed funds for the project’s progress and that’s where Ekam Foundation Mumbai stepped in. She received a scholarship and expert guidance, allowing her to boost her self-confidence and aspiration to push her limits. Gauri is currently working with the NGO and is rewarded for her efforts. She is helping the education programme team follow up with scholarship students for academic performance and make case stories. She is also assisting the surgery support programme team in taking monthly follow-ups and feedback from surgery-supported beneficiaries across India. Apart from her work with the NGO, Gauri is also helping the SHP team conduct health and hygiene awareness sessions as well as documenting these sessions. She finds this work to be incredibly fulfilling as it provides her with an opportunity to give back to society and learn new things while growing.
Lalita, Third Year B.Com student
Lalita (name changed) is a determined student in the third year of B.Com at a college in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu. Her journey, however, has not been an easy one. She lost her father on her birthday due to an unfortunate accident. In spite of a heart condition, her mother continues to work at a courtyard shelter. However, her income is not sufficient enough to fund the family’s expenses. Lalita has two siblings, an elder sister who is married and a brother who works at a private company for a meagre income. Her sister has studied up to the 12th standard and her brother is pursuing a diploma in computer science. Her brother is also settling a loan the family had taken out for their elder sister’s wedding. Moreover, Lalita’s mother was severely affected by Covid-19 and had to undergo 7 operations. Despite her difficult circumstances, Lalita has her sights on a bright future. Her goal is to become a US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and US Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Ekam Foundation Mumbai offered her a grant to pursue her education through its scholarship programme. Since 2022, Lalita has been a volunteer for the NGO. As a social worker, Lalita is assisting the education team in following up with scholarship students regarding their academic performance. She is also taking feedback from students supported across India and creating case stories. With her hard work and dedication, Lalita is overcoming the odds and making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Bhavini, Second Year University student
Bhavini (name changed) is a second-year student at a university in Warangal, Telangana. She lives with her mother and elder sister, who is pursuing an MSc in Chemistry. She lost her father to a heart attack in 2014, leaving her mother to provide for the whole family. During the Covic-19 pandemic, Bhavini’s mother lost her job and has since been struggling with various health issues, rendering her unable to provide for their family. With no earning member in the family, they are struggling to pay for Bhavini’s education and her sister’s needs. Her mother had to take a loan and sell her gold to cover their daily expenses. Despite these challenges, Bhavini aspires to become an army officer. She has received a ‘C’ certificate in NCC (National Cadet Corps) and was awarded the Best Cadet Award during her two-year journey. Ekam Foundation Mumbai recognized her potential and decided to fund her journey. She started volunteering for the NGO in 2022. As part of her role, she is helping the education team to follow up with scholarship students on their academic performance and taking feedback from supported students across India, creating case stories to inspire and motivate others. Additionally, Bhavini is also assisting the Surgery Support Programme by following up on the current status of the health of surgery beneficiaries in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Despite the challenges she faces, Bhavini’s passion and determination to succeed are inspiring.
Ekam Foundation Mumbai is proud to support these champions and hopes to help many more to create a more inclusive and fulfilling society.
