The Nanhi Kali Syracuse University Chapter is sponsored by the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University, and is open to participation by students across the university– graduate, undergraduate and online. Nanhi Kali is a project of the Mahindra Foundation of India, supporting education for underprivileged girls. Our E-Board of current officers, information about fundraising activities, and more about us can be found here.
The Hindi name, Nanhi Kali (NAHN-hee Kah-LEE) means “little flower bud”. Nanhi Kali raises funds to sponsor uniforms, school supplies, internet tablets and tuition costs for girls in India who are otherwise unable to attend elementary or middle school on their own. Without this education, we know that these girls would likely not only remain in poverty, but they may also become victims of human trafficking because their families are unable to provide the social and educational alternatives for them.
The Nanhi Kali student group sponsors various fundraising events, operates an online sponsorship donation program, encourages interaction among diverse students and increases awareness of the cause of education for women and girls worldwide. Each year for several years now, our group has raised funds to sponsor primary and secondary education for 52 girls in India, a significant impact since the group initially formed and sponsored its first three “Nanhi Kalis” in early 2010. We are also humbled by the fact that Nanhi Kali Syracuse University won the Chancellor’s Orange Circle Award in 2018 for its global impact.
Nanhi Kali is a registered Syracuse University Graduate Student Organization (GSO), but raises all funds on its own to sponsor our girls each year. Professor of Practice, Dr. Art Thomas, is the faculty sponsor for the Nanhi Kali Syracuse student group, and he can be reached at apthomas@syr.edu for more information.