She has a dream.
You could help her realise it.

Ashwini Charitable Trust (ACT) educates and empowers underprivileged children from urban slums in Bangalore and supports them till they are gainfully employed.

In Bangalore, nearly one million people live in slums, and about one third of slum dwellers fall below the poverty line. Most children are first generation literates. Poor quality of education in government schools and rising school fees year after year have led to steep dropouts at primary and secondary levels.

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child learning.jpg — OUR PROGRAMS

Every child goes through an all-round development programme at our learning centers to enrich their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while furthering their education. We make this impact this through 8 key areas of intervention.

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Ready to take the next step?

This is a movement of billions. Whether you’re most comfortable contributing time to help achieve our advocacy goals, money to help us grow, or energy to put political pressure on our governments to change, we need you on our team.

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Volunteer speak

I’ve been part of ACT since its inception in 2000, supporting its branding and serving as Treasurer. What sets ACT apart is its deep, long-term commitment to children and its unwavering culture of transparency. Every Annual Day, when everyone sings 'Hum Honge Kaamiyaab' together, it reaffirms the power of community and the hope we’re building.

— Priyanktha Iyengar, Trustee

I joined ACT in 2004. What sets this NGO apart for me is our dedication to educating children until graduation, paired with holistic efforts like providing nutrition and empowering mothers. My most memorable milestone was presenting our first documentary to 200 foreign delegates at CISCO, an experience that proved our impact and built my confidence to move forward. To me, ACT is best described as "Transforming lives through education and empowerment."

— Lakshmi B

I work as a house help and sell vegetables in the evenings to manage our expenses. The work is tiring, but I keep going for my children. When I first visited ACT, the supportive atmosphere gave me the confidence to enroll them. Since joining, my children have become disciplined, respectful, and smart. I was incredibly proud to see my daughter Thilakveni sing in the choir and receive a certificate on Annual Day. I no longer worry about their future because I know the trust will guide them toward the office and company jobs I never had the chance to pursue. During difficult times, ACT is my only support. When I recently struggled to pay my fourth daughter’s school fees, the trust stepped in to help, and I will soon enroll her here too. ACT has lifted my burden, and I am deeply grateful for this gift.