A New Partnership Takes Shape: Pratham at KKR & TAAF’s AAPI Holiday Market
The Pratham NY Tri-State Chapter was honored to participate in the inaugural AAPI Holiday Market hosted by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Set against the stunning backdrop of Hudson Yards on the 79th floor, the event welcomed more than 500 AAPI corporate leaders and community members for a night of meaningful connection, cultural celebration, and shared purpose. The gathering created a powerful space for organizations to come together, exchange ideas, and spotlight causes driving real change. For Pratham, the evening was an opportunity to share our mission, connect with new supporters, and engage with passionate advocates for education and community impact. Conversations throughout the night reflected a strong alignment around the importance of access to learning, early engagement in philanthropy, and corporate leadership in advancing social good. We are grateful to KKR and TAAF for inviting Pratham to be part of this monumental gathering and for creating a platform that uplifts community-driven organizations. Special thanks as well to Pratham NY Young Professionals Board members Akant Punia and Malini Wimmer, who represented Pratham with energy, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm throughout the evening.
With 100&Change Winner Announced, Pratham Celebrates the Journey and Looks Ahead
Houston, TX, November 18, 2025 – Pratham USA extends its warmest congratulations to the Broad Institute , the recipient of the 2025 MacArthur Foundation 100&Change award. Their community-centered approach to infectious disease surveillance is already proving transformational across Africa and marks an inspiring step forward in addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges. Earlier this year, Pratham was honored to be named a top 5 finalist in the 100&Change global competition for its Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach — a recognition earned from among nearly 900 applicants. While not selected as the final awardee, this milestone affirmed the global relevance, urgency, and impact of foundational learning, and of the TaRL methodology developed and championed by Pratham and its partners. “Reaching the finalist stage of 100&Change has been a powerful validation of our decades-long effort to ensure that every child can learn,” said Manisha Bharti, CEO of Pratham USA and Global Executive. Teaching at the Right Level is an evidence-based, cost-effective instructional approach that improves foundational reading and math skills by grouping children based on learning level rather than age or grade. Over the past two decades, it has reached millions of children across India and more than 10 countries in Africa, and is now being adapted in Latin America. “The opportunity to work closely with our TaRL partners to articulate a bold, long-term vision for foundational learning has been both a deep learning experience and an incredible milestone in itself,” said Manushi Yadav, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Pratham USA. “This journey has strengthened our shared commitment and sharpened our strategy to bring TaRL to more children, more communities, and more systems around the world.” All partners – Pratham Education Foundation, TaRL Africa (Empower Learning Africa), Pratham USA, and Pratham International — will continue working with governments, educators, and communities to integrate TaRL into national education systems and reach children most at risk of being left behind. As education systems around the world confront post-pandemic learning loss and widening inequality, foundational learning remains an urgent and solvable challenge. Pratham is committed to building on the momentum of this moment to ensure every child is not just in school but learning well. More information about 100&Change, winners, and the finalists can be found at www.100andchange.org MEDIA CONTACT For more information, please contact: Priyanka Ghosh, Director of Communications, Pratham USA [email protected] PrathamUSA.org ABOUT PRATHAM Pratham envisions a world where every child is in school and learning well. A leading global education non-profit, Pratham delivers high quality solutions to schooling and training challenges through award winning evidence-based programs. With 30 years’ experience of working in India and beyond, Pratham changes the lives of over 5 million children and young people every year. Pratham’s work has been recognized through major International awards, including the Asia Game Changer Award, the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award, the WISE Prize for Education, the Henry R. Kravis Leadership Prize, the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, most recently the 2018 LUI Che Woo Prize and the 2021 Yidan Prize. Pratham USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with 14 chapters across the United States that raise awareness and mobilize financial resources. The volunteer-driven organization ranks among the top 2% of all nonprofits in America, consistently achieving a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for “sound fiscal management” and “commitment to accountability and transparency.” For more information, visit prathamusa.org.
Corporate Partnerships in Action: How SMBC and Goldman Sachs Are Engaging Employees to Support Pratham’s Mission
At Pratham, our corporate partnerships play a vital role in expanding awareness, advocacy, and engagement around education equity. Through strong relationships with employee resource groups (ERGs), companies like SMBC Group Americas and Goldman Sachs have created meaningful opportunities for their employees to connect with Pratham’s mission in hands-on, personal ways. This year, both partners invited Pratham to host volunteer card-making events, which are simple yet powerful activities that allowed employees to create handwritten messages of encouragement for children and youth participating in Pratham programs across India. SMBC: Celebrating Diwali With Purpose More than 400 SMBC employees participated in festive Diwali-themed card-making sessions in support of Pratham. Organized by the ElevAsian ERG group, the celebration took place across SMBC’s New York and Jersey City offices, as well as virtually, blending cultural celebration with meaningful service. The Diwali festivities were rich and vibrant, featuring a singing performance in ten languages, a spirited dance performance by SMBC colleagues, henna art, and authentic Indian cuisine. At the heart of the celebration was a volunteer card-making activity, where employees created Diwali cards for Pratham program participants. Goldman Sachs: Deepening Engagement Through Advocacy and Action Goldman Sachs welcomed Pratham back for a card-making volunteer event that continued to build momentum and deepen employee engagement. The format proved especially impactful: the session began with an overview of Pratham’s education and skilling programs, followed by card-making for program beneficiaries. The conversation then expanded as NY Young Professionals Board Member, Bharat, shared insights into the YP Board’s work and upcoming events, while NY Board Members Meera and Jignesh spoke about their personal “Why Pratham.” These events created valuable space to discuss the importance of advocacy in the U.S., spreading awareness about global education challenges, and the many ways corporate partners can support Pratham’s work. We are deeply grateful to Goldman Sachs and SMBC and to their dedicated ERG leaders and volunteers, for championing Pratham through these thoughtful engagement opportunities. Interested in getting your company involved? Email [email protected].
An Evening of Insight and Leadership: Fireside Chat with FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam
Pratham NY Tri-State, in partnership with Asia Society, was proud to host an engaging fireside chat in New York featuring Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO of FedEx Corporation, in conversation with Seema Mody, CNBC Global Markets Correspondent and Pratham USA NY Tri-State Board Member. Nearly 200 business leaders, community members, and Pratham supporters gathered for an evening of thoughtful dialogue, reflection, and inspiration. The conversation offered a candid and compelling look at Raj Subramaniam’s journey—from his early years growing up in Kerala to leading one of the world’s largest and most complex logistics companies. Raj spoke openly about perseverance, purpose, and the values that have shaped his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and clarity in an ever-evolving global landscape. Throughout the discussion, Raj shared insights on innovation, people-centered growth, and navigating change at scale, highlighting how investing in people and culture remains central to long-term success. Moderated with warmth and depth by Seema Mody, the dialogue struck a balance between personal storytelling and broader lessons on leadership, global business, and responsibility.
From learner to leader: Payal’s Story
Payal’s inspiring journey—from student to educator—began in seventh grade when she joined Pratham’s PraDigi program. Through PraDigi, Payal was introduced to digital tools that built her digital literacy and ignited a deep interest in the world of educational technology. As her confidence grew, so did her desire to give back. She began volunteering with Pratham, guiding small groups of children in her village and helping them access the same digital learning opportunities that had transformed her own life. But Payal didn’t stop there. She went on to lead the Pratham Creativity Club, an initiative designed to nurture the creative skills of children and youth ages 10–18. Under her leadership, she organized community projects aimed at improving learning outcomes and fostering a love for innovation. Through her efforts, more young minds were introduced to programming, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Payal’s own learning journey continued as she pursued courses in computational thinking and web design. Today, she’s a computer teacher at her village school—empowering the next generation just as learning with Pratham once empowered her. Be part of the next story like Payal’s With just $20 a month, you can support one student’s learning journey for an entire year. When you become a monthly donor, you help ensure that girls and women like Payal—and the children they go on to teach—have access to quality education, mentorship, and opportunity. Join our community of monthly donors today and change a life every month.
4 Amazing Ways Pratham is using Tech to Teach
Around the world, the learning landscape is evolving and Pratham is leading the way in making sure learning is accessible anytime, anywhere through our digital learning tools! At the heart of our approach is a belief that learning should be: Accessible to every learner, no matter where they live Inclusive of different languages, needs, and learning styles Scalable across diverse settings Data-driven to continuously improve learning outcomes Community-led for long-term sustainability and ownership Here are just a few of the powerful ways Pratham is using technology to help children, youth, and women thrive around the world: BaalSakhi Baalsakhi is an interactive WhatsApp chatbot designed to support parents and caregivers in low-connectivity environments with on-demand, personalized guidance for early childhood care and education—especially in communities with limited connectivity. Available in 12 Indian languages, it delivers trustworthy, easy-to-understand content to help families support their children’s development at home. AI Interviewer As part of our youth skilling work taking part in countries across Africa, Pratham is piloting an AI-powered interview bot that helps young people practice real-world job interviews. The bot simulates interview scenarios and provides immediate feedback to improve confidence, communication, and career readiness. Creativity Clubs Creativity Clubs offer children aged 10-14 with an outlet to explore innovation, problem solving, and critical thinking through a mix of hands-on and digital projects. These clubs are led by local youth volunteers and are designed to help children turn ideas into action—and empower young leaders in the process. PadhAI App PadhAI is an AI-powered reading assessment app that helps educators and caregivers support children’s literacy development—especially in low-resource, low-connectivity settings. The app uses speech recognition technology to evaluate reading fluency and provide real-time feedback, even when offline. With over 5,000 children already assessed and accuracy improved to 90%, PadhAI is enabling data-driven insights to close learning gaps at scale. As the world faces growing learning gaps—especially in low- and middle-income countries— Pratham’s digital initiatives are rising to meet the challenge. With innovation at our core, we are not just building tools, we are building pathways to brighter futures. These life-changing innovations are only possible with your support. Become a monthly donor today and help power the digital solutions that are transforming education for children, youth, and communities around the world. Join us as a monthly donor.
Pratham’s Impact: Changing lives through learning across India
At Pratham, we believe all children and young people deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive. Through a powerful combination of community engagement, government partnerships, and innovative programs, we work to ensure learning is reaching every corner of India and beyond. Today, we’re excited to share the recent impact of our work in India. These numbers reflect real stories, real progress, and real lives transformed. Over the 2024-2025 academic year, Pratham reached 710,000 children through direct engagement in 10,000+ communities across India. In addition, our partnerships with governments in 17 states enabled us to reach more than 7.4 million children. Nearly 260,000 mothers were equipped with tools to support their children’s learning and development beyond the classroom—empowering them to become active participants in their children’s education. Over 17,000 girls and women enrolled in Pratham’s Second Chance program, gaining the opportunity to complete their Grade 10 certification and pursue new educational and career pathways. Pratham also trained over 53,000 youth through our Skilling program, with a near 80% job placement rate among those receiving formal certification. Behind each number is a story of transformation. Pictured clockwise from top left: Himanshu, Sarita, Bhavani, and Baijayanti. In a quiet village in Rajasthan, Himanshu once struggled with reading and number recognition in Grade 3. After joining Pratham’s Read India learning camp, he slowly regained confidence and built foundational skills. Today, he’s in Grade 11, determined to pursue his studies despite financial hardships—a shining example of what’s possible with the right support at the right time. Bhavani, a mother from Andhra Pradesh, began her journey by joining a Pratham Mothers’ Group to support her children’s learning. As her confidence and leadership grew, she became a guiding voice in her community. Inspired by the power of education, she enrolled in Pratham’s Second Chance program, passed her Grade 10 exams, and secured a job—bringing new stability to her family. “I have always dreamed of giving my children a better life, but I never knew that through education, I could also transform my own,” she says. In Chhattisgarh, 38-year-old Baijayanti took a bold step toward rewriting her story. After dropping out more than two decades ago, she rejoined school while managing a household of 15. With dedication and determination, she completed her Grade 10 certification. Her achievement has made her a role model, inspiring other women in her village to believe that it’s never too late to learn—and to dream again. In 2017, Sarita from Jharkhand defied expectations by enrolling in Pratham’s General Duty Assistant (GDA) training program. The skills she gained helped her secure a job in Delhi, support her family, and continue her education. Now a Mentor Leader at Pratham, Sarita empowers other young women to follow their own paths—proving how skilling can transform lives and communities. These programs not only provide technical training but also build confidence, communication, and critical life skills—opening doors to new possibilities. The stories of Himanshu, Bhavani, Baijayanti, and Sarita reflect just a few of the many lives transformed this year through learning. Their journeys, and the numbers behind them, are a testament to what we can accomplish together. To all our supporters—thank you. Your generosity, belief, and commitment continue to power this movement. Let’s keep going. Together, we can ensure that children and young people everywhere have the opportunities they deserve. Donate Now.
Changing the Education Landscape around the Globe
Pratham’s learning programs have been changing lives across India since 1995—and now, Pratham is reaching children around the world. According to the World Bank, 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries can’t read simple text. When children miss out on foundational skills like reading and math, they struggle to engage in school, fall behind, and may even drop out altogether. Later on, youth who don’t receive support as they enter the workforce may also miss out on reaching their full potential. The consequences of these learning gaps ripple across families, economies, and generations. The urgency is clear: we need scalable, cost-effective, and proven global learning solutions. That’s where Pratham is stepping in. Today, Pratham’s learning solutions are being adapted in over 20 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia through collaborations with governments, partners, and educators. These efforts are expanding access to programs that have already improved outcomes for millions of children across India. At the heart of this work is Pratham’s Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach—a bold, adaptable learning approach that groups children by learning ability instead of age or grade. Through interactive, play-based activities, TaRL helps children build foundational skills in reading and math quickly and effectively. Research shows that with TaRL, a child can learn to read in as little as 30 days. By working with partners and education systems to meet children where they are, Pratham is not just changing individual lives, but the global education landscape. In recognition of this transformative work, Pratham has been named one of five finalists in the prestigious MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change award, which supports bold solutions to critical problems. Teaching a child to read can take just a few weeks. Transforming education systems takes time. Become a monthly donor and be the driving force behind lasting change—transforming the lives of thousands of children across India and beyond, for generations to come. Donate Today.
30 Years of Learning and Thriving
We’re celebrating 30 years thanks to you! 30 years ago, Pratham was created with a vision to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, India. Today, Pratham is delivering education to millions of children, youths, and women a year. We couldn’t have done it without our supporters. Our journey over the past 30 years is one of big vision, deep community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to learning. Together, we’ve built something powerful—and we’re not done yet. We’re taking everything we’ve learned over the last three decades and going further by partnering with more communities in countries around the world. With your support, we can jumpstart a future where even more children can learn and thrive. The future starts with us. Join us. Donate Today. — Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing more about our education programs and history as we celebrate Pratham’s 30th Anniversary. Stay tuned and follow along to discover more about Pratham!
50+ Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List
We’re delighted to partner with the Jaipur Literature Festival, taking place in Seattle this September, on a Recommended Reading List for the Pratham USA Readathon this Summer! Whether you’re just getting started or already turning pages, this curated list of 50+ books is filled with fun and engaging titles, organized by age group, to help inspire a summer of reading and impact. The Readathon is officially underway! From July 11 to August 9, readers of all ages are committing to read 30 minutes a day for 30 days while raising funds to support Pratham’s education programs in India and beyond. Explore the full list in our 2025 Pratham USA Info Pack to find your next great read—and consider supporting a child’s education along the way. A $20 gift will give a child the chance to learn with Pratham for one full year. Donate here Thank you to the Jaipur Literature Festival for preparing this reading list in support of the 2025 Pratham USA Readathon!
