Bridge Program

The Vonisha Service Foundation's Bridge Program has been instrumental in addressing educational gaps for out-of-school children and dropouts since 2017. In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, many children from low-income families, particularly those in first-generation learner households, faced barriers to rejoining formal education. With many parents unable to pay school fees, children in the 6-14 age group became dropouts again, and some were forced into child labor or early marriages. To combat this, Vonisha launched its After School Program (ASP) to support these children once they are mainstreamed into formal schools. The ASP provides curriculum reinforcement from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, ensuring students continue their learning outside regular school hours. Since 2019, Vonisha has partnered with St. Ignatius Public School and Kidz in Begur to run its Bridge Program, which helps these children transition to formal schooling. In 2022, a collaboration with Dream India Network enabled the operationalization of St. Ignatius School, providing free quality education to over 200 underprivileged children. For older students (Grade 8 and above), Vonisha also enrolled them in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), offering a path to uninterrupted education. Through its ongoing efforts, Vonisha ensures that no child falls through the cracks, empowering them with the education and support needed to break the cycle of poverty.