Project CTRL +S
The CTRL + S initiative by The Iksha Foundation is a groundbreaking project that addresses two critical issues simultaneously – environmental sustainability and the lack of educational resources for underprivileged students. This innovative initiative begins by tapping into a ubiquitous yet overlooked resource: scrap paper.
The process commences with extensive drives across schools and apartments, rallying citizens and institutions to contribute their unused paper. Scrap paper, which might otherwise end up in landfills, becomes a valuable raw material for the CTRL + S initiative. This collection phase not only promotes responsible consumption but also fosters community involvement, making citizens active participants in a transformative cause. Our collaboration with 80+ schools including Vibgyor Groups of Schools, Bangalore International, Delhi Public School, Legacy School etc and 70+ apartments.
We have partnered with a renowned player in environment sustainability, where the collected scrap paper then undergoes recycling, emerging as brand-new notebooks. The notebooks are then distributed to students in government schools who lack access to essential stationery materials. This not only bridges the resource gap but also ensures that every child has the tools they need for a quality education.
We also aim at building a sense of responsibility amongst underprivileged students and initiate it by creating a give-and-take relationship. We conduct sessions with these students explaining the importance of saving paper and as the session concludes, the students promise to keep their notebooks safely until our next visit for an exchange. This aspect of our project is what makes our project unique and more impactful.
CTRL + S has become a beacon of sustainable education with over 150 volunteers across the country contributing to the collection of over 22,000 kgs of scrap paper. Through collaborations with four other NGOs, the initiative has expanded its impact, reaching over 8,219 students with recycled education material.
This project lies in its intersectionality – it addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 by ensuring quality education and Goal #12 by promoting sustainable consumption and production. The scalability of CTRL + S is evident in its self-sufficient cycle, replicable in various contexts. The initiative has already spread its wings to Karnataka, Kolkata, and is in the process of setting up teams in Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa.
The CTRL + S initiative doesn't merely recycle paper; it transforms waste into an invaluable resource, creating a sustainable and humanitarian full circle that flips the script on traditional approaches to education and environmental consciousness.
Project Cov-Action
In response to the profound socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Iksha Foundation initiated its flagship project, "Cov-Action" Launched on May 13, 2021, by a dedicated team of about 40 volunteers, many of whom were high school students, the project reflected the Foundation's commitment to catalyzing positive change through acts of humanity.
The core focus of the Cov-Action Project was to address the pressing issue of unemployment and the hardships faced by families who had lost their primary breadwinners. The project took a holistic approach by providing underprivileged communities with essential food kits containing staples like rice, wheat, dal, and more.
What set Cov-Action apart was its unique outreach strategy. Beyond the initial distribution of food kits, the Iksha team maintained ongoing communication with the beneficiaries. This personalized approach involved understanding the specific circumstances of each family and exploring additional avenues for support. Whether it was offering employment opportunities or assisting with monthly expenditures, the Iksha team remained dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of those they touched.
Motivated by the generosity of donors, Cov-Action made a meaningful impact in just two months. The project reached out to approximately six hundred individuals across eighty families, providing not just sustenance but a lifeline of compassion and understanding during those challenging times. The Cov-Action Project exemplified the power of youth-led initiatives in fostering empathy, resilience, and transformative change within communities.
