That turning point came while witnessing children from a slum swim across a drainage canal near ITO, mistaking it for a swimming pool. “Someone had to tell them it was dangerous. More importantly, someone had to give them a shot at understanding the world differently.”
That “someone” became Tandon and a group of like-minded volunteers.
At Pehchaan, education isn’t confined to academics. The volunteers also instill values, communication skills, and confidence. As the team started teaching the children, introducing them to dance, music, art, crafts and yoga as well, the word spread and the number grew to 100 within six months. Soon enough every child from the slum enrolled for the weekend classes and the pilot project turned into a successful model. Today, Pehchaan engages 500 volunteers from city colleges who help 1,000-plus slum children across 10 centres in the city.
In spaces where formal classrooms are absent, such initiatives create room for learning, be it through basic literacy, digital skills, or simply the habit of showing up to study.
