Support Rural India's First-Gen Female Learners

Thank you for supporting young girls to stay in school, save for their future and education and develop skills to get jobs. Through the KickStart Girls Program, girls and young people aged 16 and above are able to develop both professional and personal skills. This program focuses on financial and digital literacy, skill development, career preparation and boosting self-confidence. As young individuals transition into adulthood and face the uncertainties of school, college and community life, these workshops aim to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to achieve financial independence. 

This report shares key highlights and progress from the past few months made possible through your support.

Building Gender Awareness and Leadership

Our fellows participated in an immersive Gender Workshop facilitated by Lochana, exploring themes of gender, identity, power, relationships, consent, and violence. Through role plays, debates, media analysis, and reflective discussions, participants challenged stereotypes, built empathy, and developed confidence to navigate personal and professional spaces. The workshop fostered self-awareness, strengthened communication skills, and encouraged young women to question restrictive social norms while embracing their own identities.

Equipping First-Generation Learners with AI Skills

Recognizing the growing importance of digital literacy, fellows attended an AI Literacy Workshop led by XCTRA. They explored practical AI tools for resume building, learning, research, and productivity, including Rezi, NotebookLM, Gamma, Team Builder CV, and Resume AI. Participants learned how AI can support education, career preparation, and everyday problem-solving, ensuring they are better prepared for an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

Industry Exposure: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Fellows visited MKCL, where they gained valuable insights into workplace culture, professional communication, grooming, and career pathways in the technology sector. They interacted with professionals, learned about different organizational departments, and understood the importance of preparation, confidence, and continuous learning before entering the workforce.

"I learned that preparing before any opportunity leads to success. The visit helped me understand workplace communication, body language, AI-related career opportunities, and how different departments work together. It gave me confidence for my future."
— Shrushti, Fellow

First-Ever Professional Internships

This cohort marked a significant milestone, with fellows undertaking one-month internships across Mumbai and Pune. For many, this was their first experience working in a formal office environment and living independently in a metropolitan city. These internships provided hands-on exposure to professional workplaces, helping participants build confidence, adapt to corporate expectations, strengthen communication skills, and bridge the gap between education and employment.

Amplifying Voices Through Nayi Soch Radio

As part of our Nayi Soch Radio initiative, fellows researched and created radio segments highlighting the lives and contributions of inspiring women during Dalit History Month. By sharing stories of women leaders whose contributions are often overlooked, participants strengthened their research, storytelling, and public speaking skills while promoting inclusion, representation, and social awareness.

Key Outcomes

• 100% of fellows participated in gender, digital literacy, and workplace readiness workshops.
• Fellows gained practical exposure to AI tools and their applications for education and employability.
• Participants experienced professional work environments through internships and industry visits, increasing confidence and career readiness.
• Through Nayi Soch Radio, fellows amplified underrepresented histories while strengthening communication and leadership skills.

Engagement in Schools and Colleges

We expanded our engagement with schools and colleges to reach more young girls through interactive sessions on health, life skills, gender, digital literacy, civic participation, and career readiness.

Reach (January–April 2026):

• 221 young people engaged through Youth Lab programmes.
• 60 girls participated in Hello Periods (Menstrual Health).
• 119 students participated in Mohan se Mahatma (Civic Participation).
• 42 college students attended Workplace 101 (Career Readiness & Employability).

These sessions created safe spaces for young girls to build confidence, make informed choices, and prepare for education, employment, and active citizenship.

Skills Summer Camp

The 6-day Skill Summer Camp learning Macramé art provided young women participants with an opportunity to develop creative, practical, and entrepreneurial skills through hands-on craft-making. Guided by local trainer, participants learned the art of macramé while strengthening patience, focus, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence. The camp fostered creativity and self-expression, enabling participants to transform simple materials into functional and decorative products.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 34 participants completed the 6-day summer camp
• Learned foundational macramé knotting and design techniques
• Created handmade keychains, phone holders, and decorative door torans
• Enhanced creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail
• Developed confidence through project-based learning
• Encouraged teamwork, self-expression, and hands-on skill development
• Participants proudly showcased and took home their finished creations

This Quarter, 210 young girls participated in our skill development workshops.

We are truely thankful for your support and everlasting encouragement towards these young girls future!

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/kickstartgirls/?hl=en
• https://manndeshifoundation.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/manndeshi/

Dear Donors, 

Thank you for supporting India’s first-generation female learners. Through the KickStart Girls programme, adolescent girls and young women in rural Maharashtra are gaining access to financial and digital literacy, leadership opportunities, and pathways to education and employment. In regions where limited resources and social barriers often restrict girls’ futures, these initiatives are helping them build confidence, skills, and independence. This report shares key highlights and progress from the past few months made possible through your support.

Youth Leadership Lab

During this quarter, the Youth Leadership Lab continued to build financial awareness and life skills among rural youth through a series of workshops focused on financial literacy, digital literacy, and banking literacy.

A total of 389 students participated in these sessions across multiple workshops, with 55.5% of participants being girls. The sessions focused on strengthening students’ understanding of savings, banking systems, insurance, and responsible financial behaviour.

Through interactive discussions and real-life examples, students learned how financial tools can support families and livelihoods in rural communities.

Student Reflection: Sanvi“I did not know much about livestock insurance before. We were explained that when animals fall sick and if their illness is not treated in time, they may die, and livestock insurance helps in such situations. I was provided with guidance and I am very thankful to learn this valuable information.”

This highlights how financial literacy education is helping rural youth understand important financial protections that are often overlooked in farming households.

KickStart Girls Fellowship 

This quarter marked a major milestone for the Fellowship Programme, as Cohort 1 successfully completed the fellowship.

Cohort 1 Completion

Fellows completed their External Internships with various Companies & NGOs and returned for a closing orientation and graduation ceremony. During the final reflection sessions, fellows shared their experiences of working in professional environments for the first time.

For many fellows, this programme represented their first opportunity to leave their villages and live independently in cities. Over the past eight months, they developed professional skills, workplace confidence, and exposure to career pathways previously unavailable to them.

Encouragingly, two fellows secured jobs within one month of graduation, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in creating pathways to employment.

Cohort 2 Launch

A new cohort of 16 young women has begun the fellowship programme.

To strengthen career preparedness, these are the modules that have been introduced from the beginning of the programme, including:

• Career development and planning
  
  
• Civic participation and understanding the Indian Constitution
  
  
• Financial literacy
  
  
• Digital literacy and computer skills
  
  
• Professional Communication
  
  
• English Speaking
  
  
• Community field work
  
  

These sessions aim to equip fellows with the skills, confidence, and awareness needed to transition into professional careers.

RBI Financial Literacy Week 2026

KickStart Girls actively participated in RBI Financial Literacy Week 2026, conducting awareness activities both in schools and community spaces. A total of 261 people were reached through these initiatives.

School-based Sessions

Structured 1.5 hour financial literacy sessions were conducted for students in Grades 7, 8, and 9. This was facilitated by Fellows who were trained by the KickStart Girls Team to conduct these sessions. 

These sessions focused on explaining:

• The importance of KYC (Know Your Customer)
  
  
• Safe banking practices
  
  
• Protecting personal banking information
  
  

Through these sessions, 124 school girls received KYC-related financial literacy training.

Community Outreach

After completing the training, fellows stepped into their communities to conduct outreach activities in local markets and public spaces. Acting as financial literacy ambassadors, they engaged with community members, citizens, and local entrepreneurs in weekly markets.

Through these outreach efforts, 137 community members were informed about KYC processes and the importance of safe banking practices.

Story from the Field: Aarti – Fellowship Participant

During Financial Literacy Week, Aarti actively engaged community members to spread awareness about digital banking safety. She explained the risks of sharing sensitive banking information such as OTP, PIN, and passwords, and warned people about fraudulent calls and suspicious links. She also advised community members to verify messages carefully and only use official banking platforms. Aarti also informed people about the steps to take in case of suspected fraud, including reporting incidents to banks, contacting official helplines, and filing complaints on the National Cybercrime Portal.

Through these conversations, Aarti felt confident that people became more aware and cautious about protecting themselves from digital financial fraud.

Girls-led Community Radio – Nayi Soch

As part of the Nayi Soch Community Radio initiative, young girls hosted radio programmes addressing important themes related to leadership, agriculture, and women’s empowerment.

Radio episodes covered topics such as:

• Empowering Future Agri Voices
  
  
• Finding a Voice
  
  
• Celebrating Expression
  
  
• Women in Science (featuring Dr. Jayashree)
  
  
• Youth Power and Women’s Leadership (with the Mayor from Mhaswad)
  
  

These programmes provided girls with a platform to express their ideas, build confidence, and engage in public dialogue on issues affecting rural women and youth.

Bicycle Distribution for Access to Education

To support students who travel long distances to attend school, 27 bicycles were distributed on 26 January.

These bicycles were provided to students who walk more than 7 kilometres daily to reach school.

This intervention will help reduce travel time, improve attendance, and ensure that students can continue their education without the burden of long and exhausting commutes.

Children’s School Bank Initiative

The School Bank programme continued to strengthen financial literacy and inclusion among school children by helping them develop regular saving habits and practical banking knowledge.

Financial Inclusion Outcomes so far:

• 541 total student bank accounts opened
  
  
• Approximately 1,42,379 total savings accumulated by students
  
  

In partnership with a High School, 100 new student savings accounts were opened, enabling many students to access formal banking services for the first time.

To reinforce financial learning, a School Bank was established within the school, functioning as a student-led model of financial inclusion.

Student Leadership Roles: Four girls were trained to manage the School Bank in key leadership roles of Bank Manager, Cashier, Bank Sakhee and Clerk. Students maintain records, facilitate deposits, and encourage their peers to develop regular saving habits.

The School Bank is now fully operational, allowing students to practice real-world financial management skills.

Student Story: Aarav,a student at Mohi School, comes from a farming family where every rupee matters. Since the School Bank started, Aarav has begun saving small amounts of money regularly. “Every day, if my parents give me money for snacks, I use it. But on some days, I decide to save it instead. I put in two to five rupees, and at the end of the week, I deposit it into my school bank. So far I have collected 813 in my bank account from my own savings.” Aarav plans to use his savings to pay his 10th standard examination fees, showing how even small savings can help children take ownership of their future.

Improving School Infrastructure for Girls

During the School Bank project, a critical infrastructure gap was identified at Mohi School -  the absence of a toilet facility for girls.

This lack of sanitation facilities created daily challenges related to hygiene, privacy, and dignity, particularly for adolescent girls.

In response, the programme supported the construction of a dedicated girls’ toilet, which was inaugurated on 27 December 2025.

The initiative also encouraged community participation. Students, teachers, and school staff jointly participated in painting and beautifying the facility, creating a sense of shared ownership.

The new facility has contributed to a safer, more inclusive learning environment, helping ensure that girls can continue their education with dignity and confidence.

Links:

• https://manndeshifoundation.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/kickstartgirls/?hl=en
• https://www.instagram.com/manndeshi/