I learned about the Atma Volunteer trip to Mumbai through my college January term class. I’d previously volunteered at the American Red Cross, a hospital and a soup kitchen, but nothing like what we would do in India. I came into the experience knowing that what my classmates and I contributed would be something valuable for local NGOs in the future.

A typical day in Mumbai meant leaving our room at 9AM to head to either SPROUTS, an environmentally-focused organisation, or CHIP, an Atma Graduated Partner and educational NGO. As a team, we’d work on projects throughout the day, usually finishing after 5PM. These projects ranged from helping prepare rough ground to plant a community garden in an orphanage, to painting murals in kindergarten classes. Our experience was facilitated and guided by Atma and leaders from local organisations. In the evening, we were able to taste a little more of Mumbai by heading out to eat or do some shopping.

I really enjoyed working with Atma: I was thankful of how much they helped us get us introduced and integrated into Mumbai and the social sector.

Atma gave us the opportunity to meet incredible leaders. Anand Pendharkar, SPROUTS Founder, was one of the most inspirational person I met, because he is so passionate about his work towards the environment. Listening to Anand talk about the butterfly effect where small changes lead to big changes in the future was a specific conversation that was meaningful to me.

One of my favourite moments of the entire trip took place while working with SPROUTS at St. Catherine’s Home: an orphanage for HIV positive girls. We were so thrilled when the girls came out and started helping us on the vegetable farm. They even introduced us to some of the games they knew, and by the end of our work at SPROUTS, they were calling all the girls “Didi” and all the guys “Uncle.”

Would I do this again?  Yes, because of the amazing relationships you can build with passionate NGO leaders who are doing their part to build a better future for India. Thank you Atma, for the experience!

Atma’s staff are very excited to be working with Apne Aap Women’s Collective and addressing the very complex world which keeps women and their daughters trapped in a cycle of slavery. AAWC runs three unique programs in Mumbai’s red-light districts, all of which support the holistic education and development of women who are prostitutes and their daughters.

Umeed is a program which serves the needs of women working in prostitution in the Grant Road area. Through Umeed, AAWC provides psycho-social counseling, vocational training and literacy workshops, and support in gaining essential documents like ration and pan cards. Umeed also provides financial planning assistance, health support and fun recreational outings to the women, creating a real sense of community and security.

Udaan supports the daughters of women in the red light area through education and opportunities to develop a future outside the brothel. They offer resources to help girls aged 6-18 pursue their education through enrollment support, after school tutorials, assistance towards pursuing higher education, and counseling and mentorship along the way.

Umang is a program that nurtures children from 2.5 – 5 years old, by providing a safe and healthy environment. Umang introduces children to education through preparatory classes and supports their health and nutrition needs to give them the best possible start.

Atma is excited about working with such a detail-oriented organisation because AAWC is also building capacity and creating education at a very personal and individual level: in the lives of women and girls. Their mission of providing education, tools, resources and a supportive platform to women and girls falls directly in line with Atma’s vision of Quality Education.

Through the Atma Partnerships Program, AAWC will be working to further strengthen their organisation. Atma is currently engaging in an audit process of the monitoring and evaluation processes used by AAWC, with plans to build a comprehensive management information system. Later in the year, we will be examining further expansion of AAWC programs.

AAWC have big plans for their programs and for future growth. The Atma Model is designed to support organisation like AAWC to create and implement the systems and programs that will allow their organisation to grow and expand sustainably. Atma looks forward to learning and growing with AAWC through our Atma Partnership.

Atma Annual Report 2010-2011

Our Annual Report is a broad overview of Atma’s activities and growth over the past financial year. It includes Atma Partnership updates, reports on Partner beneficiaries, and a special focus on Atma volunteers. Atma’s annual income and expenditure statements are also featured in an effort towards full transparency and disclosure.

Atma is grateful to everyone who made 2010-2011 a fantastic year for Atma and our vision of Quality Education for all children. We look forward to completing another impactful year.

Aapne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC) is an NGO that works with one of the most underprivileged and isolated sections of Mumbai’s society – women in brothel-based prostitution and their children.

Yesterday, Atma staff had the privilege of going on a site visit and learning about AAWC’s vision from Manju Vyas, AAWC Director. We thank AAWC for a wonderful site visit and look forward to learning more about their work. 

The 2012 Mumbai Marathon was Atma’s single largest fundraising event to date. It was an incredible day for our organisation and the entire Atma family.

We want to say an enormous thank you to each person who participated, pledged raised or supported Atma in the 2012 Mumbai Marathon. We couldn’t have done it without you!

All photos by Rob Katz.

Before getting into the details of my experience with Atma Graduated Partner CHIP, I feel obliged to tell you a little bit about how I caught the bug for philanthropy and volunteer work. It all started in the 12th grade when I went on a school-organized trip with my classmates. There were two components to the trip: a service/school rebuilding component and an adventure/safari component. The latter was the main selling point for me prior to the trip. However, something about spending time with the children at the school ignited a spark in me. This spark was enough for me to convince my friends to head out on a similar, but highly service oriented trip to Cambodia. AfterCambodia, the spark developed into a flame.

Going into college, service became a big part of my life on campus and I was heavily involved in a lot of social justice groups. But this wasn’t enough. I had to step it up a notch, so I decided to major in Social Entrepreneurship to look at possible career paths. It was with this goal in mind that I came to India and accepted an Atma Volunteership.

The first day I walked into the Atma office, I saw three words on a small whiteboard; ‘Sustainability’, ‘Impact,’ and ‘Scale.’ It is then that I knew that I was in the right place. Through Atma Graduated Partner CHIP, I was given the freedom to run and perfect the model of a face-to-face fundraising campaign at Hypercity, one of India’s largest hypermarkets, and was able to attend meetings with some of CHIP’s highest and most important donors. In addition to this, I was entrusted with designing a Diwali Camp program for the children at CHIP schools, developed grant proposals, designed fundraising and marketing media, and assisted in any other school-related activities. This diverse array of responsibilities gave me a holistic view of what it is like to work for and run an educational NGO, which is crucial for an aspiring Social Entrepreneur like myself. My favorite moments were whenever we counted the money raised from the CHIP fundraisers. It all comes back to one of those words on that board: ‘Sustainability.’ Money doesn’t just make the world go round, it makes the NGO sector go round. Sure, you learn about it in textbooks but to experience it first hand is something else. I never expected to be in such an intellectually and professionally stimulating environment, but Atma and CHIP definitely delivered.

The Atma Volunteer experience wasn’t just part-time volunteering: it was a valuable work experience, fostered by an intelligent, experienced, and supportive team of people who have made service their career. To be able to share an office with them and learn from them was all I asked prior to this experience. The way I see it, I got a pretty sweet deal. So would I consider doing this again? Read this article right from the top and you will realize that this question answers itself.

I’d like to thank all of the wonderful people at Atma and the CHIP office. Thanks for accepting me as part of the team. Thanks to Novela Corda, CHIP Executive Director, for giving me the freedom to be myself and do my own thing. Thanks to Summer Starr and Atma, who recruited me and facilitated my volunteership. My experience in Mumbai would be incomplete without all of you.

As we enter 2012, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we have been in the past year and where we are going. We have one very exciting goal for the upcoming year.

2011 has been a milestone year for Atma, celebrating 4 years as an organisation. In 2011, we saw many people join the Atma family who helped to grow our vision and direction. We also saw people leave Atma: most significantly the transition of Lee, our founder. Transitioning the founder of an organisation is no easy task, and something that organisations much older than ours do not dare to take on.

Atma is a 4 year old organisation, and still in many ways a “start-up”. However, we have depth and conviction of a much older organisation.

To me, this conviction comes from a deep belief in our organisation and in our ability to end educational inequality. We are but one part of a bigger movement, but the work we do is integral to bringing quality education to children and young people in India. By building the capacity of NGOs, we are creating sustainable institutions which will be the key to ensuring high quality education to those currently unable to access it.

Atma has the incredible privilege of working with determined and dynamic NGOs from many different fronts in the battle for quality education. The lessons, energy and dedication we draw from them makes us a stronger organisation and better individuals.

Atma was never founded to be a small organisation. With fundraising chapters in 3 countries, Atma has a big mandate. We plan on living up to that mandate in 2012-13. Currently at 6 Atma partners, we have set the BIG goal of reaching 20 partners by March 2013. It will take many people and a lot of hard work to reach this goal, but I know we can do it.

We couldn’t be where we are today without you: your individual support and love has helped us make it this far. I want to take this time to thank you for being part of Atma’s work and for your dedication over the last year.

Atma has big plans for the New Year, and we can’t wait to realize them.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Happy New Year!

With love,

Mary Ellen Matsui

Executive Director, Atma

The Mumbai Marathon is India’s largest fundraiser. A core goal of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is to raise funds and awareness for charities and NGOs across India.

We’re proud to have the commitment of corporate companies and individuals for the Atma Marathon Campaign. These people are running for Atma because they believe that Education is what will lead India into a bright future.

All contributions through the Mumbai Marathon go directly to support the Atma Partnerships Program. Running the Marathon with Atma means supporting Atma Partners and their work in making Quality Education accessible for underprivileged children and young adults across Mumbai.

Of our 260 Atma Marathon Team members, many have chosen to pledge raise to make an even bigger impact on Education in Mumbai. Some individuals have already raised over Rs 25,000 each, and are continuing to raise money over the final two weeks before the Race day.

It’s not too late to contribute to the Atma Marathon Campaign. Whether you are running as an individual or not running at all, you can join the Atma Marathon Team by making a contribution to support the Atma Partnerships Program.

To donate in India (pan card holders):
www.atma.org.in/donate

To donate internationally:
www.atma-australia.org.au/#!donate

Thank you for  your belief in the ability of education to change a child’s future. Contribute today to join the Atma Marathon Campaign.

If you’re sitting at your home computer reading this blog, chances are that you’ve been blessed with a fantastic education and many opportunities to pursue your dreams. You are a part of the minority: the fortunate group of people who live full lives because you benefited from a rich, holistic education and the success and wellness that follows. Through our work, Atma witnesses thousands of children who don’t have those opportunities.

Atma has been blessed to reach over 11,000 children through our Atma Partners, who strive to provide Quality Education to kids across Mumbai.

Christmas is the season for family and for giving. This Christmas, add Atma to your gift list. Supporting our partnerships means creating educational opportunities for underprivileged children and young adults who otherwise may not to access them.

To donate in India (for PAN card holders):

www.atma.org.in/donate

To donate internationally:

www.atma-australia.org.au/#!donate

If you’re new to the Atma Family, welcome. For those who have been supporting us over the years: we cannot thank you enough. Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas from all of us at Atma.