Uniting around the world to fight poverty in Kolkata

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Vinita Saraf & Namrata Sureka (Ek Tara)

In 2011, the co-founders of Ek Tara, Vinita and Namrata, began to work in the largest and poorest slum of Eastern India, armed with a keen desire to educate first generational learners. They were convinced that the city’s most vulnerable communities would flourish if girls and women were equipped to drive change in their own lives, families, and communities.

They registered the organization in 2015. Over the past few years, Ek Tara has come a long way from just 30 to the current strength of 900 children and women. Their multi-dimensional programs run in a 10,000 square feet facility and range from education (using modern pedagogy), health hygiene, and nutrition requirements for all students to community engagement projects.

Convinced that change cannot be imposed from the outside but has to emerge from the homes and environments of the children, Ek Tara functions with at least 60% participation from community members, who are appropriately trained and employed by the organization.

Ek Tara’s journey is just beginning. By 2023, the organization intends to include over 5000 beneficiaries and 1000 families in its programs.

You can read more about EkTara’s work in their blog posts:

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