Bāl Shiksha Foundation works to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds so they are not left behind in their education. We believe that a child’s learning and wellbeing do not exist in isolation. Every child stands at the intersection of family, school, and community. When any one of these is fragile, a child’s education is at risk. Our work places children at the centre, while engaging with the families, schools, and communities that shape their everyday lives. By strengthening these interconnected systems, we aim to create conditions where children can learn with dignity, continuity, and hope.
Our purpose
Our purpose is to support underprivileged children in India throughout their educational journey by addressing the financial, social, and systemic barriers that limit access to quality education. Through long-term, holistic support and close engagement with families, schools, and communities, we aim to help children continue learning, grow in confidence, and realise their full potential.
When you learn, teach. When you get, give.
Maya Angelou
Our values
Empathy
We approach our work with care, humility, and attentiveness. We listen first, recognising that every child and family carries a unique story shaped by circumstance.
Dignity
We believe children and families deserve respect, not charity. Our work seeks to support without judgment and to preserve dignity at every stage.
Integrity
Responsibility, Transparency and Accountability for the children we support, the communities we work with, and those who place their trust in us.
Opportunity
We believe education should be a basic right, not a privilege. Our work focuses on creating real opportunities for children to learn, continue, and thrive.
Our ways of working
Bal Shiksha Foundation is built as a collaborative partnership rather than a rigid hierarchy. While members contribute in different ways, responsibilities often overlap, with conversations, decisions, and activities shared collectively.
Will Major
Founding Partner
Will brings the founding vision and long-term direction to Bal Shiksha Foundation. He leads fundraising, outreach, and strategic decision-making, while staying closely connected to the Foundation’s on-ground work through regular field visits and engagement with the team and beneficiaries.
Abi Major
Founding Partner
Abi works alongside Will in shaping the Foundation’s direction and outreach. She supports fundraising, awareness-building, and strategic decision-making, while remaining actively involved in the Foundation’s growing work and partnerships.
George Major
Founding Partner
George supports the Foundation through outreach, fundraising, and long-term engagement, helping build meaningful relationships and sustained support. He contributes to discussions around the Foundation’s direction and growth, bringing a thoughtful and people-centred perspective to its evolving work.
Sowmya Amin
Operations & Coordination Partner
Sowmya supports the Foundation’s operations through coordination, communication, and internal processes across programme, finance, and legal functions. She also remains actively engaged with the Foundation’s on-ground work through field visits, partner coordination, and programme discussions, helping bridge operational continuity with lived realities.
Krunal Palande
Community & Programmes Partner
Krunal works closely with schools, students, teachers, and local communities, focusing on understanding on-ground realities and translating them into meaningful action. He supports programme design and implementation, collaborates with local partners and vendors, and contributes to the Foundation’s design, technology, and branding efforts.
Sandeep Deshmukh
Community Partner
Sandeep supports the Foundation’s on-ground work through strong local relationships and deep understanding of the region’s social and cultural realities. Working closely with Krunal, he helps connect the Foundation with schools, families, and communities, contributing to responses that are practical, rooted, and locally meaningful.
Roney Rodrigues
Storytelling & Outreach Partner
Roney supports the Foundation’s communication and outreach through storytelling and digital engagement, helping build awareness and connect the Foundation with individuals and networks that can support its work.
Sunil Badsiwal
Legal & Financial Oversight
Sunil supports the Foundation through legal, compliance, and financial oversight, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsible functioning.