1. What is the belief behind Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
We believe that unless members of the civil society are involved proactively in the process of development, sustainable change will not happen. Believing in this principle of 'Community Driven Change' Vidyakavach sensitizes the civil society in order to make them partners in its mission.
2. Does Vidyakavach Charitable Society work in India or other countries too?
Vidyakavach is a national level development organization and can take up projects throughout India.
3. What is the scenario in India, presently?
India has about 11 million children living on the streets and 14 million children working as labours. Only 60% of children have access to education despite having a national policy on compulsory elementary education. Right now! is the time to take collective as well as individual responsibility to remedy the current situation is here.
4. How old is Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
Vidyakavach started its operations in June 2014. It became an officially registered society in November 2014.
5. What is the mission of Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
Vidyakavach’s mission is to empower underprivileged children, youth and their families and community through relevant education, innovative healthcare and market-focused livelihood programmes. We aim to deploy best possible methodology and technology for achieving ideal SROI (social return on investment), to practice and promote good governance, to link business competitiveness of the corporate with social development initiatives and to sensitize the privileged section of society to promote Community Driven Change.
6. Who are the people behind Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
The realization of a group of young corporate professionals, that it was their Social Responsibility to give back to the society, laid the inception of Vidyakavach. Vidyakavach is managed professionally by a Board of Advisors, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise.
7. Which areas does Vidyakavach Charitable Society work in?
Vidyakavach has been working in the thematic areas of education, healthcare, youth employability.
8. Why do you stress on education, when there are other equally pressing issues in the country?
Education alone has the power to liberate people from the vicious cycle of poverty - not only in terms of earning a livelihood but also in becoming aware of the rights and freedoms that a citizen is endowed with. Thus, empowering individuals and making them self-sufficient.
9. What is the source of funding for the organization?
Funding support of the organization comes from individual donors and private institutions.
10. How much of the total money go towards Vidyakavach Charitable Society LIFE Program?
It is our goal to utilize the donated funds to their full capacity with transparency and accountability. We ensure that our operations are efficient and LEAN and thereby reduce the cost of operations and administration to no-more than (but not limited to) 11% of the overall collections.
11. Who all are the target beneficiaries?
Children, their families and the communities are the target groups of Vidyakavach Charitable Society with children at the centre stage. The organization believes that a child’s education cannot be taken care of without taking care of the family, especially the mother, and the communities they belong to.
12. At present how many people are directly benefitting from various programmes of Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
At present Vidyakavach Charitable Society is directly benefitting more than 75 children in Zirakpur.
13. How can one associate with the organization?
In our journey so far, we have received immense support from numerous individuals, education institutions. One can associate with us in any of these above mentioned ways. Please visit the contact us or get involved section of our website for more information on the possible ways of being involved in our journey.
14. Does Vidyakavach provide internships? If yes, how can I apply for it?
Interested candidates can go to contact us section of our website and write to the relevant section or department they are interesting in interning with.
15. How can I donate to Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
You can go to Donate Now section of Vidyakavach’s website and donate online. For other donations related queries please write to vidyakavach@gmail.com
16. Does Vidyakavach Charitable Society have any merchandise?
Currently, we donot have any merchandise however we are working with our strategy team to come up with unique ideas for gifts and stationary that can become a source of funds for Vidyakavach and also help businesses attain their CSR goals (Corporate Social Responsibility goals).
17. What are the ways of measuring impacts of the various programmes?
Vidyakavach has a proper programme management system which tracks progress and does periodic analysis – both qualitative and quantitative.
18. What curriculum do you follow in the education programmes?
Our educational programme for underprivileged children contains the following elements.
+ Play Educational Games
+ Story Telling
+ Lesson Plans and Worksheets with help from experienced school teachers
+ Dance, Art classes
+ Identify Talents such as Singing/Dancing/Art etc and give them proper guidance and mentorship
+ Conduct Field Trips in Business houses: Real Estate, Printing Press, Banks, Shops etc
+ Movies and Plays
Subjects:
Vedic Math
English
Maths
Science
Literature
19. What is your healthcare programme?
Improved Health and Hyegine is an integral part of Vidyakavach Charitable Society LIFE Program which achieves the following:
+ Providing health screening and immunization to children in the under-served community
+ Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap and Clothes and blanket distribution drives
+ Free health checkup camps in slums and building construction areas
+ Teaching children about the importance of cleanliness of the body and sorroundings
+ Conducting meditation camps for a healthy mind and intellect
20. What is the skill-development programme of Vidyakavach Charitable Society?
The Skill-development program of Vidyakavach is the livelihood programme of Vidyakavach that trains urban underprivileged youth with market-oriented job skills and makes them employable in the retail, manufacturing, and service sector across India.
21. Which age group does Skill-development program of Vidyakavach Charitable Society cater to?
10th and 12th pass youth in the age groups of 18-25 years is the target groups of this programme.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Individual Donors
1. What information is sent to the donors?
The donor gets an instant acknowledgement email. On receiving the reconciliation statement from the bank, a receipt is sent via e-mail immediately.
2. What will Vidyakavach Charitable Society do with my donation?
As soon as the donation through cheque or online is reconciled by the bank, the amount is allotted to the specific programme, which it has been meant for. The utilization and results are managed, monitored and audited. The outcome is reflected in the annual impact report, which is shared with the donors.
3. Does Vidyakavach Charitable Society accept donations in USD or Pounds?
Yes, the organization accepts donations in USD and Pounds as well but only in the form of cheque, drafts or via online payment gateway. As a policy the organization adhere to all government norms and maintains optimum transparency with the donors. The organization is working towards getting an FCRA account for its internationals supporters.
4. How much should I donate?
There is no specific amount that should be donated.
5. Is the website safe to make online payments?
Yes, the website is safe for any kind of transaction. Also, any information exchange is kept safe and in no condition gets disclosed. Also the payment gateway is a third party payment gateway recognized by the financial institutions under the government of India. So, any transaction is thoroughly secured.
6. What is the process of keeping the donor’s information safe?
As a credible organization, we honour the privacy of our donors. The donor data is not exposed or shared with any external agency under any circumstances. We have a robust in-house mechanism where the records are kept safe. The entire setup is protected with password and is guarded by surveillance software. The data is kept strictly confidential and only authorized staff with a special non-disclosure bond have access to it.
7. Do you issue receipts? How soon will the receipts arrive?
Yes, receipts are issued to all the donors irrespective of the amount supported. A digital copy of the receipt is generated on the very same day of donation and is sent via e-mail.
8. What happens if the receipt is lost?
In case of loss of the original receipt, a duplicate tax receipt is issued on receipt of a formal request from the donor.
9. Can one donate in kind (old clothes, books, stationary etc)?
Usually in-kind donation is accepted only when there is a need in any of the projects at a given point of time.
Frequently Asked Questions for Donors
