Education India Project #54152

Education, food and healthcare for street children

by Sophia Akash Foundation

Education, food and healthcare for street children

Project Report | Aug 14, 2026
Looking Back at an Incredible Journey

By Shibapriya & Anagha | Project Contributors

You Helped Make This Possible

What does it look like when a child begins to believe in their own possibilities?

Sometimes, it looks like a child who once stayed quiet in class raising their hand. Sometimes, it is a child stepping onto a stage for the first time. Sometimes, it is simply a child waking up excited to go to school and continuing to study at home.

Over the past years, your generous support helped make these moments possible for many homeless children who found a safe space to learn and grow at the Sealdah Station School in Kolkata.

Together, we created a space where children could learn, eat well, receive care, make friends, discover their talents, and grow in confidence.

And what an incredible journey it has been.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported this journey through GlobalGiving. Your generosity has helped create meaningful and lasting positive outcomes for children and their parents, giving them opportunities, support, and a stronger foundation for the future.

Years Filled with Growth and Wonderful Moments

Over the years, more than 200,000 nutritious meals were provided to children, helping them stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn.

But the most wonderful part of this journey was seeing what happened beyond the numbers.

Children became more engaged in their classrooms. They grew more comfortable participating in activities. They began expressing themselves with greater confidence and discovering talents they may not have had the chance to explore before.

Alongside education, children continued to receive healthcare, counselling, and emotional support. Together, these everyday forms of care helped create a stable and welcoming environment where children could focus on learning and building relationships.

The Children Who Made This Journey Special

Ayush is determined to Keep Moving Forward

Since joining the school in 2023, Ayush has remained determined to continue his education despite difficult circumstances at home. His dedication led to his enrolment in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), an important milestone in his educational journey.

His story is a wonderful example of what determination, encouragement, and the right support can help a sincere child achieve.

Suraj is Finding His Confidence

Suraj's journey has been incredible to watch. Initially, he struggled to stay focused. Gradually, he became more involved in the classroom and began participating enthusiastically in sports and school events.

The child who once hesitated to participate is now much more willing to step forward, take part, and enjoy being part of the school community.

Shubham moved From the Sidelines to Centre Stage

Shubham once preferred watching from the sidelines. Then something changed.

With encouragement and growing confidence, he began participating in assemblies and skits and eventually stepped onto the stage himself.

It may have been one school performance, but it represented something much bigger: a child discovering that his voice deserves to be heard.

Anju’s Beautiful Transformation

When Anju first joined the school, adjusting to classroom routines was challenging. With patience and consistent encouragement, she gradually became an active participant.

Today, she is progressing academically, taking part in classroom activities, and has built meaningful friendships.

Her journey reminds us that not every transformation happens overnight. Sometimes, the most wonderful changes happen quietly, one small step at a time.

Disha’s journey as a Champion

Disha gave the school an unforgettable moment when she won first place among 250 participants in an art competition with her work on water conservation.

Her achievement was a celebration of her creativity and confidence, but it also inspired the children around her. Her success showed them what is possible when their talents are encouraged and given space to shine.

Thejus is Discovering the Joy of Participation

Thejus began his journey as a quiet and hesitant child. Over time, he became more active in the classroom and increasingly eager to participate in activities beyond his regular lessons.

His growing enthusiasm showed a child becoming more comfortable with himself, his classmates, and the joy of learning.

More Than Lessons and Classrooms

Thanks to your support, learning at Sealdah School extended far beyond textbooks.

Children took part in sports, drawing and art competitions, indoor games, safety sessions, Teachers' Day celebrations, assemblies, skits, and other activities.

These moments gave children opportunities to play, create, perform, communicate, work together, and simply enjoy being children.

Parents, too, remained an important part of this journey.

Growing Through Learning, Reaching More Communities

This journey has given us something equally valuable: learnings. We have seen what works, understood the challenges families face, and learned how consistent education, care, encouragement, and engagement can help children overcome barriers and grow in confidence. We now want to carry these learnings forward and apply them in new communities, helping hundreds more children from poor, vulnerable, and equally challenging living and educational circumstances.

After witnessing these incredible journeys, we are now moving on to the next chapter of our work, focusing on the children from the rural villages in West Bengal.

Looking back, what stands out most is not one number or one achievement. It is the accumulation of everyday moments: children becoming more confident, participating more freely, discovering talents, forming friendships, and developing a stronger connection with learning.

The Journey Continues

While our work at Sealdah is coming to a close, the school shall still continue to educate and care for the children and our commitment to children's education shall do too.

We are now taking what we have learned from this experience into a new setting, shifting our efforts from supporting children experiencing homelessness in urban spaces to reaching rural, tribal, and marginalised children in West Bengal.

Many of these children continue to face barriers to quality education. Our next phase will focus on creating stronger learning opportunities and supportive environments where they too can build confidence, develop their abilities, and look ahead with hope.

The place is changing. The children are different. But the purpose remains the same.

We will continue raising funds through GlobalGiving for education-focused work that reaches children in these communities.

Thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement

To everyone who are supporting our efforts through GlobalGiving, thank you for being part of something truly meaningful.

We are sincerely grateful for the trust and generosity that made this journey possible. From providing nutritious meals and healthcare to creating opportunities for learning, participation, confidence, and personal growth, your support has contributed to positive changes that have benefited not only the children but also their families.

You helped make it possible for a child to step onto a stage, discover a talent, make a friend, stay focused on their education, or simply wake up excited to go to school.

These may seem like small moments.

But for a child, they can change everything.

As we move onto the next chapter, we are incredibly grateful to have had you and continue sharing the journey with you as we take our efforts forward.

We hope to build on everything we have learned and, with your continued support, bring these opportunities to hundreds more children who face poverty, vulnerability, and difficult living and educational circumstances.

Thank you for believing in what is possible when a child is given the chance to learn, grow, and be supported.

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Apr 20, 2026
A Season of Growth, Care, and Progress

By Shibapriya Dutta, Anagha A, Ayushi Pandey | Program Manager & Communications Officers

Every Meal, Every Lesson, Every Child

“Every day my daughter wakes up excited to go to school. She even comes home and continues her studies on her own.”

— Neha’s mother, Sealdah School Parent

These simple, yet powerful words of a loving mother capture the spirit of the amazing progress made everyday at Sealdah School, Kolkata, India.

We are witnessing something remarkable: not just children attending school, but children genuinely falling in love with learning. With your support, January 2026 opened a new academic session filled with renewed energy, deeper engagement, and growing belief in what each child can become.

Over 4,500 nutritious meals were served. Access to healthcare, counselling, and emotional support continue uninterrupted. The result? Children arriving healthier, more focused, and more confident — ready to embrace every opportunity their classrooms offer.

Impact at a Glance

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4,500+ - Nutritious Meals Served

32 - Children Eye-Tested

7 - Children Identified for Spectacles

Children’s Journeys: Where Your Support Goes

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Ayush — Determined & Focused

Preparing for his 10th gade finals through the National Institute of Open Schooling, Ayush is working steadily across five subjects with quiet determination and close teacher support. His focus inspires everyone around him.

Suraj — Joyful & Thriving

Suraj’s growing confidence has blossomed into active, enthusiastic participation — in the classroom, on the sports field, and at every school event. He is a reminder of what belonging and encouragement can unlock.

Shubham — From Quiet to Centre Stage

Shubham’s natural warmth and discipline have carried him to a new milestone: stepping confidently onto the stage during school assemblies and skits. A child who once watched from the sidelines now leads from the front.

Anju — A Quiet Transformation

When Anju first joined, adjusting to classroom routines was a real challenge. Today, she participates actively, performs well academically, and has built meaningful friendships. Hers is a story of what sustained care and patience will achieve.

Disha — Champion & Inspiration

In a moment that filled the school with pride, Disha won first place among 250 participants in an art competition — with a piece on water conservation. Her achievement has quietly lit a spark in every child who heard her story.

Stronger Family Connections

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Engaged parents are a cornerstone of lasting educational progress. Despite demanding work and household responsibilities, and the vulnerabilities of their homeless existence, the parents at Sealdah School stay closely involved — thanks in large part to the teachers who reach out personally ahead of every Parent-Teacher Meeting and follow up whenever children are absent.

Neha’s mother’s words above say it best: the school’s impact is not confined to the classroom. It travels home, shaping daily habits and keeping aspirations alive.

Health & Well-being

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A child who is hungry, unwell, or emotionally unsupported will not be able to learn. That is why every meal, every counselling session, and every health check matters.

This quarter, a targeted eye camp in March screened 32 children, identifying 7 who need spectacles. Although a small intervention, the benefits are remarkable with an outsized impact: no child’s education will be quietly held back by a vision problem they cannot know or understand.

Creativity, Expression & Joy

Education is about far more than examinations. This quarter, children embraced drawing competitions, festive celebrations, International Women’s Day, and a Sports Day where every single child participated — collecting certificates and medals with unmistakable pride.

These moments matter. They build confidence, reinforces a sense of belonging, and they remind the children that their voices, talents, and efforts are valued.

Looking Ahead

What we have witnessed this quarter is a glimpse of what these children are truly capable of. As they grow more confident and more rooted in the belief that they belong, we know their best is yet to come.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are not simply funding education — we are nurturing confidence, dignity, and brighter futures for every child at Sealdah School, Kolkata, India.

Where Every Child Gets to Shine

Every Child Carries the Strength to Transform

One Child. One Drawing. 250 Competitors. 1st Place

Your Generosity Lives In Every Smile

Links:

Sophia Akash Foundation, CIO - United Kingdom

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Dec 19, 2025
Where Care and Learning Shape Futures

By Anagha A | Project Contributor

When children experiencing homelessness are welcomed into environments that offer safety, encouragement, and nurturing support, early uncertainty gradually gives way to confidence, curiosity, and a growing sense of belonging.

Over the past months, these conditions have continued to shape how the children engage with learning, interact with one another, and find reassurance within a supportive setting.

Nutritious meals and access to basic health support remain central to the children’s daily experiences. During this quarter, more than 8,000 meals were prepared and served, helping children stay healthy, attentive, and ready to take part fully in classroom and group activities.

This progress is made possible through your amazing, continued support. Because of your generosity, children spend their days in safe spaces that foster learning, provide nourishing meals, and offer reassurance through love, care, and attention. These everyday experiences help children to engage with confidence, remain actively involved, and continue building strong learning foundations.

Journeys of Self-Discovery

These reflections offer a glimpse into how consistent care and encouragement are helping children rediscover confidence, focus, and ambition.

Thejus has shown a heartening change in both confidence and engagement. Earlier, he was quiet and hesitant. Gradually, he has become more active in the classroom and eager to participate in activities beyond just learning from classwork. His positive attitude and growing confidence demonstrate how he approaches the opportunity to learn each day.

Suraj has made steady progress in focus and involvement. Initially, struggling with attention, he now participates more actively, showing improved academic engagement.

Ayush’s Leap: From Aspiration to National Achievement

Ayush, whose family comes from a vulnerable background, has demonstrated remarkable determination. Since joining the school in 2023, he has remained focused, despite the many challenges at home.

His dedication led to a significant milestone: successful enrolment in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), enabling him to pursue a prestigious national-level education, combining his prodigious talent, perseverance, and earnest desire to benefit from the promise of a bright future ahead for him and his family.

Shared Commitment to Children’s Growth

Parents continue to remain closely engaged with their children’s learning, even while balancing work and household responsibilities.

Parent-teacher meetings and regular follow-ups have strengthened the bonds across their communities, improved communications with teachers, and provide important learning support at home.

Their interest in understanding academic progress and overall development has been reflected in their participation and interactions with teachers.

Wellbeing and Support

Consistent access to nutritious food, basic healthcare, and counselling support fosters greater stability, helping the children feel cared for, listened to, and ready to engage positively in learning opportunities and developing strong relationships with each other.

Creativity, Expression, and Confidence

Beyond the classroom studies, the children also participate in shared activities that build trust, cooperation, self-expression, and their confidence.

Events such as indoor games, personal safety sessions, and the September Teachers’ Day celebrations highlighted the children’s growing independence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Building Hope, One Day at a Time

Through sustained guidance, thoughtful encouragement, and the everyday commitment of the teachers and counsellors, the children are developing assurance, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning at a critical stage of their development.

Many more children are awaiting their chance to experience the same safety, support, nurturing, and learning.

As the spirit of this giving season fills the air, every act of kindness is a spark of possibility in the lives of these children.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of their transformative journey.

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