Small steps from you.
Giant leaps for them.
Who We Are
Anandshala, an initiative of Deshkal Society, is a joyful learning space for children from migrant and marginalized communities in Noida’s Shramik Colonies, with a special focus on adolescent girls.
Born out of field research in Shramik Kunj clusters, Anandshala addresses the disruptions caused by migration, poverty, and exclusion by offering after-school support, digital literacy, creative workshops, and community engagement with mothers and caregivers.
Aligned with SDG4 (Quality Education), we go beyond textbooks to nurture confidence, life skills, and self-expression, helping first-generation learners stay in school and build dignified futures.
Our work rests on three principles: inclusion, contextual relevance, and future readiness. Anandshala grows as a community-driven effort: one child, one family, and one spark at a time.
Our Approach
Anandshala approaches learning not as a one-size-fits-all model, but as a process deeply rooted in children’s everyday realities-particularly those of girls from migrant worker households in urban informal settlements.
Participatory & Learner Centred Pedagogy
Bridging the Formal-Informal Gap
Gender-Responsive Learning Design
Trust-Building with Families & Communities
Integrating Digital & Foundational Learning
Seeds of Change
At Anandshala, learning is shaped through art, community, collaboration, and lived experience. Each activity we undertake is rooted in the belief that education must be joyful, inclusive, and connected to everyday life.
Anandshala for Children of Labourers
Anandshala is a learning space for children of migrant and daily-wage workers in Noida, blending quality education with life skills under the SDG4 model. A pilot by Deshkal Society, it will expand to five more Shramik Kunjs in Gautam Buddha Nagar. This video is a ground report by Parimal Kumar, Kiddocracy, from Sector 93, Noida.
Gallery
Your support builds a society of dignity, inclusion, and justice. Every contribution strengthens Anandshala and empowers communities through education, culture, and dialogue. Connect with us at deshkal@gmail.com for donations, partnerships, volunteering, or careers.
See what our
sponsors and volunteers
have to say
“When I visited Anandshala, I was deeply humbled by the gratitude I received. Seeing how my small donation was adding value to lives of children here was a heartwarming experience.”
-Shruti
“I started volunteering with Anandshala a couple of months ago. It gives me immense joy to be able to contribute meaningfully to the lives of children. Children here are quick learners and somewhere along the path of teaching them, I ended up learning more from them.”
-Jayant
Meet the partners
who help us
transform lives
- Christine Sleeter: Professor, author, and education activist; Professor Emerita in the College of Education, California State University, USA
- Chaise LaDousa: Christian A. Johnson Excellence in Teaching, Professor of Anthropology; Director of Education Studies, Hamilton College, USA
- Sushmita Dutt: Educationist & Consultant, UNICEF
- Jyoti Raina: Professor, Gargi College, University of Delhi
- Ajay Kumar Choubey: Principal, SV Co-Ed SSS, IP Extension
- Binodanand Jha: Educationist; Former Director, Research and Training, Department of Education, Government of Bihar
- Saklecha Sinha: Community Health Expert, Delhi
- Kavita Dwibedi: Odissi dancer; Director, Odissi Akademi; Founder Trustee, Sanchari Foundation
Meet the partners who help us transform lives
Advisory Board
Dr. Christine Sleeter
Prof. Emerita in the College of Education, California State University, USA
Kavita Dwibedi
Odissi dancer; Director, Odissi Akademi; Founder Trustee, Sanchari Foundation
Dr. Binodanand Jha
Educationist; Former Director, Research and Training, Dept. of Education, Bihar
