Exclusive interview with Ameeta Chatterjee

An insightful one-on-one with Ameeta Chatterjee, Managing Trustee of Ekam Foundation Mumbai, to understand the, vision of the Foundation.

Q. Why was Ekam Foundation Mumbai set up – what is the story behind it, what motivated you? What is the situation that catalysed it?

Ameeta Chatterjee: Ekam Foundation Mumbai was set up with the desire to provide a full life to each and every child in our society. My own experience with public-private relationships brought an appreciation of both the government and private sector development in the public service of health and education. However, marginalised communities were still wanting on both counts and the gap was between access and affordability. It was with this desire to be the third pillar to enable better access and affordability of both education and health needs to underprivileged and marginalised sections of the society that Ekam Foundation Mumbai was born.

Q. What do you envision as the end of this journey? What is Ekam’s ultimate goal? Where do you want to reach in the next 5/10 years? Do you envision Ekam as an institution in the future?

Ameeta Chatterjee: Our commitment to our children is life-long and they can come back to us for further support on both education and health expenses. We want to give children the power to believe that their dreams are achievable and we can help them actualise their dreams. Health is the first step towards building a successful future and most ailments we address have an excellent prognosis and over 90% success rate. Further, education is the biggest enabler for change in society from a socio-economic standpoint – it provides support not just to the individual but to the whole family and for the community to be inspired by so many stories. In the next ten years, we can say that we have contributed to the lives of over 10,000 children and made them independent, contributing and happy individuals of our society.

Q. How does Ekam Foundation Mumbai give context/purpose to your daily activity?

Ameeta Chatterjee: As a mother, I understand the responsibility and pain of a family unable to afford treatment or educational expenses – this accounts for the largest expenditure at a family level. When a father walks into the office, what are the chances of finding the right treatment, financing the same and finally keeping the child’s dreams alive for a full and happy life? The government has provided reach in its public education programme and we have an aspiring cohort of students ready for higher education but unable to pay for the same. To inspire to achieve one’s dream – is the core philosophy of Ekam

Q. What is Ekam’s main strategy to carry out its mission?

Ameeta Chatterjee:

  1. Penetration into the remotest part of the country to bridge the gap with the vulnerable, isolated communities by providing access and affordability.
  2. Continuous evaluation and support for the child once it gets referred to us.
  3. Positive affirmation to girl students as they are often least preferred in the family hierarchy.
  4. Fair, equitable and equal access to health and education for children from underprivileged and vulnerable communities

 

Q. Any major roadblocks and how has that course correction helped the organisation? How has the pandemic helped in re-imagining changes in programs/outlook?

Ameeta Chatterjee: Our school awareness programme was closed down due to covid and lockdown, but we have restarted the programme this academic year. Treatments were delayed and follow-ups and check-ups were restricted which shows up in our mortality rate for the children during 2020-21. Educational outcomes have become more difficult post covid and we have helped our children with additional out-of-school support to help them in the process. Keeping children inspired and incentivised to build their future remains a key focus through conversations and other enabling programmes.

Q. What is Ekam Foundation Mumbai’s USP? What makes you feel relevant ten years after you began your journey in the space of child healthcare, where there are so many similar organisations working to bring an impact? In what way are you different from them?

Ameeta Chatterjee: Ekam Foundation Mumbai is a focused approach to bridging the gap of affordability and access to health and education outcomes for each child. We are the last mile funder – we will do what it takes to get the child treatment or back to school. Administrative costs are below 12% of the total budget (including the programme team) costs. We focus on building systems and processes so that we provide equitable and timely support (response times are quick and irrespective of age, race, religion and caste).

Q. And ten years after the journey, what is your/Ekam Foundation Mumbai’s most significant achievement?

Ameeta Chatterjee: Our children speak for our success – 3500 medical treatments and 450+ children retained in school. Our donors have reaffirmed their faith in renewed donations and support for our intervention programme. We have built a sustainable organisation that provides dignity, and compassion and enables achievement in children.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected!

Receive updates on our impactful projects, and be a part of our mission to make a difference in the world.