Helping Bridge India's Education Gap (Education Feature)

In collaboration with industry, Pratham has piloted training programmes in soft skills like communication, hospitality and construction.

And in 2011, Pratham piloted its Second Chance programme dedicated to lending support to girls and women who were forced to drop out of school so they may complete their secondary schooling.

Pratham USA chapters in 14 U.S cities host their own events, which normally includes an annual gala.

They also fundraise through online and in-person appeal campaigns to individuals, corporate sponsors and institutional funders.

Pratham USA raised $11.5 million in contributions in 2013 and less than 10 percent of its revenue went to fundraising and administrative expenses, according to Venkatachalam.

"We are proud to have been rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for four consecutive years for our sound fiscal responsibility and commitment to transparency," he said.

To raise awareness about the educational needs in India and to mobilise resources, Pratham USA embarks on several activities throughout the year, including an annual Readathon for younger children and teenagers.

"Over the course of the summer and fall, children, encouraged by parents and grandparents as mentors, read books in order to help raise money for Pratham literacy programmes," he said.

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Source: IANS