OUR STORY dhai akshar ngo

The story of Dhai Akshar begins with two Mumbai moms - Nyla Masood and Shahla Raza - who used to volunteer at an NGO school in Versova.

After spending a considerable amount of time teaching and getting to know their students on a personal level, the duo realized that after school hours, the children had no safe spaces to play and learn and would turn to child labour, petty crime, or return home to unsafe environments that impeded their overall growth.

The harsh reality was, that, unlike Masood and Raza's own teenagers, these kids had layers of systemic societal barriers that would impede their ability to study once back from school. As a result, they would barely pass their classes or would drop out of school due to familial pressure, and many could never be convinced to go back.

Thus, Masood and Raza decided to open up a small library where the children could come after school to learn non-academic, extracurricular activities and life skills that help them grow holistically.

The fundamental thought behind opening Dhai Akshar was that children who grow up in the slums of Mumbai should have equal opportunities to access dignified work in the future. This meant not just helping them excel academically at school, but focusing on life skills training so that these children have the option of pursuing non-conventional vocations professionally, if they are unable to or choose not to go to college.

पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय,
ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय
- संत कबीर दास

Scholars were never made from reading countless books, but the one who understands even a few letters of love is greater than any learned man - Saint Kabir Das

Now, Dhai Akshar is a safe space for kids to do what they're meant to do best - be children and have fun! We provide an accessible shelter where - in the bustling chaos of slum life in Mumbai - children can learn, love, play, dream, and grow.

At Dhai Akshar, we make it our mission to help children express themselves confidently and teach them the fundamentals of social responsibility, healthy and sustainable living, and sensitivity towards people of all kinds.

OUR PROGRAMS

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MISSION & VISION

OUR VISION stems from a fundamental belief in equal and equitable opportunities for all.

We provide underprivileged children with a healthy environment where they can spend constructive time after school, honing their skills in multidisciplinary vocations and disciplines that they would otherwise be unexposed to.

It is our firm commitment to provide these children with their basic rights—to happy childhoods, free will, learning, and the ability to dream of a safe and secure future.

OUR MISSION:

To teach children to think critically and express their thoughts coherently
To help develop professional and personal skills that they can use in their daily lives
To inculcate a love and passion for the arts
To celebrate sustainable, inclusive, and healthy living practices
To respect diversity in thought, religion, gender, and culture
To introduce non-conventional career options and platforms to excel in them