MotherSchools: Parenting for Peace in India

The 2026 iteration of MotherSchools India began in January with a kick-off workshop between Women without Borders (WwB) and our Local Implementing Partner (LIP) Fourth Wave Foundation (FWF). In line with the timeline and organisational plan developed during this initial workshop, the following activities were implemented between January and June: 

• Project kick-off workshop between WwB and FWF
• Mobilisation of project stakeholders
• Groundwork for this round, including meetings with local stakeholders to gain support and buy-in for the project
• WwB field visits across Kerala
• Parenting for Peace Academy Training — the first international MotherSchools Academy Training (18–19 May 2026)

 In May 2026, Women without Borders traveled to Kerala for site visits and to conduct the first-ever international MotherSchools Academy Training.  During the site visits, the WwB team travelled to several project locations throughout Kerala, meeting with former MotherSchools participants, community leaders, and local stakeholders. These visits included group conversations where mothers, their families, and local stakeholders came together, allowing the team to hear directly from those who have experienced the programme and to strengthen community relationships. These interactions reinforced the sustainability of the project by deepening local ownership and demonstrating the long-term impact of MotherSchools in the communities it serves.

The site visits were followed by the MotherSchools Academy Training, a landmark milestone as the first Academy Training to be held internationally. The Academy was developed to expand the pool of WwB-trained Trainers equipped to deliver Train the Teacher (ToT) workshops to MotherSchools Teachers and Notetakers. With an eye to sustainability and scale, the Academy equips WwB-approved Trainers—under the direction and management of WwB and the MotherSchools programme—with the tools and knowledge to successfully train local capacity, including community leaders, psychologists, social workers, and teachers, who will in turn implement the MotherSchools curriculum in their communities. The two-day training brought together the WwB team, the FWF team, and the Academy candidates in Kochi on 18 and 19 May 2026.

Over the next few months, the newly certified MotherSchools Trainers will lead a Training of the Teacher (ToT) workshop for MotherSchools Teachers and Notetakers, mobilisation of Participants will be finalised, Entry Interviews will be conducted as part of our standard Monitoring & Evaluation process, and Roll-out will begin with the first sessions taking place at the end of summer.

MotherSchools India 2025 wrapped up in the previous quarter with the following activities:

• Roll-out of the 2 final weekly MotherSchools Sessions across 5 regions in Kerala (continued)
• Weekly monitoring in the form of reports and calls (continued)
• Exit assessment conducted: Exit Interviews and Exit Questionnaires
• Graduation Ceremony

Participants from the 2025 round of MotherSchools have begun forming informal networks and planning their own future gatherings to ensure continued community support and sustainability of the project.

In parallel to the administrative finalisation of the 2025 round, Fourth Wave Foundation started informal mobilisation efforts to prepare and gauge interest for the next round, to take place in 2026. The Kick-off Workshop for the 2026 round was held at the end of January by WwB and Fourth Wave Foundation, and mobilisation efforts are underway.

Another year of implementation with five groups across Kerala is ahead – stay tuned for further updates!