For decades, the Somaiya Vidyavihar Trust has held a firm belief that education is not merely a privilege, but a shared responsibility. This belief finds meaningful expression through Help a Child, a long-standing initiative of the Trust dedicated to supporting children from underserved communities and enabling them to complete their higher education with dignity, stability, and hope for the future.
Help a Child was conceived with a clear and focused purpose: to ensure that financial and social circumstances do not stand in the way of a child’s education. For many families, the barriers to learning are not academic, but deeply practical. School and college fees, books, healthcare needs, and the broader cost of sustaining a learning environment often determine whether a child is able to continue studying or is forced to discontinue education prematurely. The initiative steps in precisely at this intersection of need, offering structured and sustained support where it matters most.
In the academic year 2025–26, Help a Child extended support to 854 students, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive and equitable education. Notably, 70 per cent of the scholarships were awarded to girls, reflecting the programme’s strong focus on addressing gender disparities in access to education. Further strengthening its social impact, over 40 per cent of the scholarships were provided to orphans and children from single-parent families, groups that often face compounded vulnerabilities and limited support systems.
What distinguishes Help a Child is its emphasis on continuity rather than one-time assistance. The initiative supports students across different stages of schooling and higher education, recognising that educational journeys are long and often fragile. By committing to sustained engagement, the programme ensures that students are not only enrolled but are able to remain within the education system through critical years of learning and growth. This long-term approach reflects a profound understanding of how economic uncertainty can disrupt education and how sustained support can alter life trajectories.
Beyond financial assistance, Help a Child places importance on holistic development. Education, within this framework, extends beyond classrooms, examinations, and academic performance. Equal value is given to well-being, confidence, and the ability to engage meaningfully with the world. Through encouragement, mentoring, and access to a supportive ecosystem, students are empowered to recognise their potential and develop aspirations grounded in possibility rather than limitation.
Over the years, the scale and depth of the initiative’s impact have continued to grow. Since its inception, Help a Child has facilitated a total of 11,554 sponsorships, with scholarships totalling ₹8.92 crore. The programme has supported the educational journeys of thousands of students, building a strong network of over 4,000 alumni who stand as living examples of the transformative power of education. Collectively, more than 6400 students and families have been positively impacted, creating a ripple effect that extends well beyond individual beneficiaries. The initiative’s reach spans over 200 village communities, underscoring its presence across diverse communities and regions.
Help a Child also reflects the Somaiya Group’s broader educational philosophy, shaped by decades of experience in building institutions across primary, secondary, and higher education. This alignment brings structure, transparency, and accountability to the initiative, ensuring that support is measurable, responsible, and rooted in long-term educational outcomes rather than short-term relief.
At its core, the true impact of Help a Child is best understood through the lives it touches. First-generation learners are completing their education. Families are gaining confidence in education as a pathway to stability and opportunity. Communities where sustained learning begins to shift perspectives and futures. Through quiet commitment and collective effort, Help a Child continues to invest in education as a force for lasting change, shaping futures one child at a time.
How can you get involved?
- You can become a part of our initiative and help us in multiple ways –
- Be it big or small, every act of kindness counts
- For thousands of disadvantaged children across India, only education can give them an opportunity to reach their full potential. Your involvement makes quality education accessible to build a brighter future!
Email: Helpachildtostudy@somaiya.edu
Contact: +91 9004875970 / +91 9769390376
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