AARAMBH – INCLUSIVE ANGANWADIs

Samaaveshi began its journey as an inclusive kindergarten in Kashele village on 3rd December 2018 (World Disability Day). From 2018 to 2024, our in-house kindergarten supported around 30 children each academic year, including 3–4 children with disabilities. Most were first-generation learners from the Katkari and Thakur (Scheduled Tribe/ST) communities in the Kashele area.

In 2024, Samaaveshi transitioned to a community-based model, partnering with seven Anganwadi centres across Kashele panchayat (the HUB). Today, the initiative reaches 150+ children aged 3–6, including children with disabilities.

We strengthen each Anganwadi infrastructure through solar power, mini-libraries, smart TVs and WASH facilities, while deploying early educators to support classroom learning from 10 am to 1 pm, every day. This model brings quality, inclusive early education closer to all children within their own communities.

JIGSAYA – COMMUNITY LIBRARY

On 3rd June 2019, Samaaveshi established an 'Inclusive Community Library & Resource Centre', to promote literacy, learning, and life skills among all children, including children with disabilities, in Kashele gram panchayat of Karjat.

The Centre houses 2,000+ books, magazines, and early learning resources, including 100+ assistive learning materials supporting the education and participation of children with disabilities. It also supports families with UDID cards, referrals, school enrolment, and weekly physiotherapy services, bringing essential services closer to home.

A flagship initiative is the 'Weekend Library Workshop', conducted regularly since inception. The sessions focus on foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), storytelling, creative arts, and life skills, engaging 30-50 children from Kashele and neighbouring tribal hamlets.

By 2030, Samaaveshi aims to establish five Community Libraries/Resource Centres across Karjat block, strengthening the ecosystem for inclusive education, learning, and community-based support.

SAMAAVESHAK – ANGANWADI TRAINING

In August 2019, Samaaveshi partnered with TISS Mumbai and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Karjat division, to launch the 'Inclusive Anganwadi Training Programme'. The programme strengthens the capacity of rural Anganwadi teachers in early disability identification, inclusive teaching practices, and child-centred learning - enabling rural Anganwadis to gradually evolve into inclusive, early childhood education centres where all children with or without a disability can learn and thrive together.

The programme has two core components:
a) 12 structured capacity-building workshops for clusters of Anganwadi teachers, focusing on disability inclusion and inclusive education.
b) Mini-library resource kits containing 20+ multi-sensory play and learning materials to enrich classroom experiences and support diverse learning needs.

Today, Samaaveshi works with 100+ Anganwadis across Karjat block through this network of “spokes”, and aims to extend the programme to all 300 Anganwadis by 2030, creating a stronger ecosystem for inclusive early childhood education in Karjat.

SMART ANGANWADI TRANSFORMATION

More than 50% of Karjat block’s 300 Anganwadis lack access to electricity, limiting children’s access to digital learning and essential classroom resources.

In 2021, Samaaveshi transformed five electricity-deficient Anganwadis into ‘Solar Anganwadis’, providing reliable power for digital and assistive learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on this experience, we launched the ‘Smart Anganwadi Transformation’ initiative in 2022, introducing physical upgrades, child-friendly furniture, mini-libraries, smart TVs, and WASH facilities. These improvements have contributed to better attendance, classroom engagement, and learning outcomes.

By 2025, Samaaveshi had transformed 20 Anganwadis into ‘Solar, Smart Anganwadis’. By 2030, we aim to solarize all 150 Anganwadis in Karjat block that currently lack electricity, enabling more children to access safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environments.

NIPUN – ZP SCHOOL INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaaveshi collaborated with the Block Education Office (BEO), Karjat, to launch the NIPUN – Zilla Parishad (ZP) School Inclusive Education Programme. The programme strengthens public education by improving school infrastructure and deploying inclusive primary educators to promote Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Launched with one ZP school in June 2022, the NIPUN has expanded to all five ZP schools in Kashele panchayat (the HUB), reaching 350+ students, including 10 children with disabilities.

Over time, our focus has broadened to include social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM education and teacher training, recognising that inclusion extends beyond disability to diverse learning needs and abilities. A key initiative is the STEM & Innovation Lab at ZP School, Kashele (image attached), established with 'Amazon India' grant, enabling students to explore science, technology, creativity and problem-solving.