SAMAAVESHI PATHSHAALA

KASHELE VILLAGE, KARJAT TALUKA, MAHARASHTRA - 410 201, INDIA.

VISION

One day, all schools will become ‘inclusive’.

MISSION

To bring systemic transformation in schools where every child irrespective of their social background or disability has equal access and opportunity to quality education.

Samaaveshi Pathshaala

Who are we?

Samaaveshi Pathshaala Foundation is a registered nonprofit working on inclusive education in Karjat tribal block of Maharashtra, founded by two graduates of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.

Our mission is to build inclusive classrooms where all children with and without disabilities study together using a multi-sensory approach. Besides, by integrating theories of constructivism, universal design for learning (UDL), and social-emotional learning (SEL), we strive to enhance creativity, expression and learning outcomes for all children with diverse learning needs.

We started our journey with an inclusive kindergarten from a two-room rented space in Kashele village on 3rd Dec 2018 (World Disability Day). Gradually, we launched a series of programmes aimed at building an ecosystem of inclusive education in Karjat block where all key stakeholders (students, teachers, school/local authorities, and the community) believe in the idea of inclusion, and have necessary skills and resources to practice inclusive education.

Our key programmes are:

a) Community library/ Disability resource centre (1 centre)
b) Inclusive ‘Anganwadi’ teacher-training (100 Anganwadis)
c) Smart Anganwadi transformation (11 Anganwadis)
d) Zilla Parishad (ZP) school inclusive-ed support (2 ZP schools).

Advisory Board

Dr. Srilatha Juvva

Professor, Centre for Equity and Justice for Children and Families, School of Social Work, TISS Mumbai.

Arman Ali

Exec. Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), New Delhi.

Sajida Vadgama

Founder, Ummeed Inclusion Fellowship Programme (UIFP), Mumbai.

Hoshaang Gotla

Founder, Xtremely Young Zoroastrians (XYZ) Foundation, Mumbai.

Meet the Core Team

NIVEDITA TIWARI

Co-founder & Director

Nivedita has worked for over eight years in disability and inclusive education, with several grassroots and international organizations based in India and Nepal. She holds an MA in 'Disability Studies and Action' from TISS (Mumbai), and a certificate in ‘Arts-based Therapy’ from the World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation, Pune. In her last job, she worked as a consultant with the inclusive education department of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), New Delhi.

Nivedita is the Director of Samaaveshi, and she leads the inclusive school, teacher-training, and resource development programmes.

Email: Nivedita.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

ASHOK SHAH

Co-founder & Operations support

Ashok has 10 years of experience in print/online media and development communication. He did his BA in Journalism from Bangalore University, during the course of which he founded a students' collective called 'MISSION 5'. Following, he pursued MSW in 'Health & Development' from TISS (Mumbai). From 2012 to 2018, he worked as a Communications Officer with a charity called CBM International, based out of New Delhi.

At Samaaveshi, Ashok is responsible for programme implementation, community relations, communications and fundraising.

Email: Ashok.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

ANDRIYA CHANDY

Inclusion Advisor

Andriya is an assistant professor with the Department of Social Work at Mumbai University. She holds an 'MA in Disability Studies & Action' from TISS Mumbai, and has worked for a decade in social sector.

As an inclusion advisor, Andriya helps ensure all our programmes are designed following universal design for learning (UDL), and take into account all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion.

SONALI GAMARE

Lead, ZP School Inclusive Education

After a degree in Sonali, Kajal discovered her interest in early learning. She then did a few courses on 'Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)', inclusive education and Indian Sign Language (ISL).

She now leads our 'Zilla Parishad (ZP) Inclusive-ed Support Programme' and leads inclusive curriculum design and facilitation for 28 students (5 CWDs) in Grades 1-3.

PRATHAMESH MATE

Field Coordinator, Smart Anganwadi Kashele

Prathamesh holds a B.com degree from Mumbai University. He is has several years of experience in experimental theatre and creative arts.

He manages our community operations, engagements with the Anganwadi network in Karjat, and facilitates theatrical games and storytelling sessions for children at our partner ZP school.

KAJAL GUPTA

Lead, Smart Anganwadi Kashele

Bharati joined Samaaveshi in the very first month, Dec 2018. Her hard work has transformed our playground into a colourful garden that has added to the aesthetic outlook of our premises.

Besides, she's keen to learn new skills and is a regular participant at all our Anganwadi trainings on disability, diversity and inclusion.

SWATI RAUT

Primary teacher, ZP School Inclusive-ed

Swati completed her 10th grade and worked for a few years an assistant nurse at the Rural Hospital in Kashele.

Her passion to engage with children shows in the way she provides individual support to children with special needs. Besides, she often facilitates library-centred workshops on storytelling and creative arts.

SUVARNA DEORE

Lead, Inclusive Kindergarten

Suvarna completed her B. Ed and taught primary level for a few years at an under-resourced school in Kashele village.

After a career break due to motherhood, she joined us as an outreach tutor to teach our local students during COVID pandemic. Later, she's promoted to lead the Inclusive Kindergarten programme.

POOJA MHASE

Early educator, Smart Anganwadi Kashele

Pooja did B.Com and worked as a teacher for a year with tribal children in remote Chinchwadi village of Karjat.

She's tasked with designing activities following universal design for learning (UDL) for our Inclusive Kindergarten programme comprising 25 students, including four children with disabilities.

DARSHANA MAHADIK

Admin & Finance Assistant

Darshana completed MS-CIT and worked for three years as an IT operator with a local firm in Kashele village.

She joined Samaaveshi in mid-2022 and is responsible for general procurement, record-keeping and managing our fast-growing administrative and financial operations.

Statutory Info

Registered Name: SAMAAVESHI PATHSHAALA FOUNDATION

Acronym/short name: Samaaveshi

Registered as: Section 8 Company (nonprofit), under the Companies Act, 2013.

Incorporation Number: U80301MH2018NPL317510

Registration number: 317510

Date of registration: 27/11/2018

Registered Office Address: House no. 1059, near Rural Hospital, KASHELE village, Karjat taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra – 410 201.

Website: www.Samaaveshi.org

Email: Connect@Samaaveshi.org

PAN: ABBCS1879G

TAN (NSDL): PNES60627A

12A Registration Number: ABBCS1879GE20217

80G Registration Number: ABBCS1879GF20215

CSR-1 Registration Number: CSR00014540.