The Challenge

The Western Ghats mountains of India is one of the eight hottest hotspots of biological diversity in the world. Because of this, much effort has been made to protect the animals and their habitats which has led to the indiginous peoples inability to support themselves by living off the land as they previously had.

This is seen even more recently as a forest policy was implemented and directly caused the tribal livelihood status to worsen. “They are facing many problems like economic instability, lack of literacy, lower level of quality of life and not politically empowered” (Researchgate.net). To make matters worse, “indigenous communities have been severely affected by the impact of COVID19, making them jobless in the industrial plantations, private estates and private lands, leaving them totally destitute after already having to live under the poverty line for generations'' (Indiantribalheritage.org).

A Solution

The Prakasam Coaching Center is an after-school program focused on boosting the literacy and reducing the dropout rate of underprivileged rural children living near the Western Ghats mountains of India by providing transportation, homework help, computer, tailoring, and English language training.

They also provide scholarships to their students in need of financial assistance. Criteria to receive a scholarship are: student must have financial need and/or be tribal, the household income is less than $150 USD (12,300 Rupees) per month, the father and mother and unemployed or under-employed or one or more is absent from the home due to death or neglect.

The scholarships may cover to cover tuition, school supplies, school snacks, and school uniform. Students do not receive direct funds. Covering these types of expenses ensures students are able to stay in school and earn a quality education. Every student and family is expected to “pay it forward” by requiring students to coach their siblings or peers.

Business Activities Geared Towards Promoting Quality Education, Ensure Inclusive And Equitable Quality Education And Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities For All

Target: Promote ending hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. (Adapted from 2.1)

Target: Work towards ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. (Adapted from 4.1)
Target: Increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries. (Adapted from 4.c)

Measured By:

Number of students & teachers who received school snacks that helped fight malnutrition each quarter
Number of coaches currently employed that were previous students of the institute
Number of coaches currently employed that were not previous students of the institute
Total number of students coached each quarter
Number of students trained in computer classes each quarter
Number of students trained in tailoring each quarter

Scholarship Metric:

Number of students who received school uniforms each quarter
Number of students who received school supplies each quarter
Number of students who received tuition assistance each quarter

Donate to Coaching Center (India)

The Prakasam Coaching Center is an after-school program focused on boosting the literacy and reducing the dropout rate of underprivileged rural children living near the Western Ghats mountains of India by providing transportation, homework help, computer, tailoring, and English language training.

They also provide scholarships to their students in need of financial assistance. The scholarships may cover to cover tuition, school supplies, school snacks, and school uniform. Students do not receive direct funds. Covering these types of expenses ensures students are able to stay in school and earn a quality education.