Who we are

The Namma Asha Kirana Charitable Trust (NAK) came into existence in the year 2008. It was born out of a shared feeling among childhood friends and strong desire to give back to society.

 

Started by childhood friends from Bellary, Karnataka, NAK aims to support education of the children and adolescents that are unable to afford or face critical financial difficulties in achieving their educational dreams.

 

NAK accepts students and applications irrespective of gender, religion or caste and shortlisted candidates are vetted for their attitude, academic performance, academic goals and importantly an inherent nature to give back to society. Preferences given to students who are currently working part-time or have done so in the past to pay off their fee. After careful scrutiny, shortlisted candidates have their fees paid directly to their college.

 

 

Since 2008 NAK has supported below key activities:

• 100 plus students in paying their school/college fees.

• NGOs in getting funds from donors, connecting with corporate CSR teams, mentoring etc.

• Schools by donating books, computers, laptops , sports accessories ,

• Writing scribes to visually challenged students,

• Support corporate team in distribution of educational and sports items to schools etc.

 

Every month friends voluntarily deposit some amount, which resulted in lump sum to accommodate one student fee.

Gradually, family members, other friends joined hands by donating voluntary amount every month."

 

In line with the organization’s DNA to nurture candidates to give back to society, NAK provides the option for students to return the fees paid by the NGO without any interest. There is no time stipulation set for this return and students are only encouraged to begin paying this back once they are settled in their careers or when their family members are able to pitch in.

 

This money is then cycled back into the NGO bringing a sense of moral responsibility to all shortlisted candidates. NAK has seen this being a successful way to reach out to new aspiring students every year.

 

The NAK encourages its candidates to introduce and bring forward other students who are facing similar difficulties to the organization making them ambassadors of the NGO and spreading that sense of responsibility towards society.

 

Counseling students on careers, courses and colleges also falls under the work done by the NAK and in just over 10 years of its history it has already seen its students go on to complete their PhDs and Masters with many of them currently working for MNCs both domestically and internationally while others becoming scientists or teachers.

 

The work through the NAK has been extremely fulfilling as stated by one of its founders and secretary Guru Raj Settru “Best part of NAK is that it reaches to the remote location where students are deprived from getting into next level education due financial constrain or lack of encourage to move ahead”.

 

Applications for new students can be found here <NAK application 2021> and a completed application must be sent to < nammaashakirana2018@gmail.com > for further evaluation.

 

Shortlisted students will be contacted by board members and an NAK representative will personally visit the respective schools, college and home to understand the students situation and character. Applicants are encouraged to provide as many references as possible from their teachers and college staff with their contact details to have a better chance of being evaluated positively.

 

In terms of future goals and milestones, the NAK would like to reach even more remote areas and villages where they will look for the support of teachers, college lecturers and other volunteers to refer more students to their program.

 

Generous donations towards NAK received from friends and families at the right time for the right candidate. As per one of the founder Parasuram T and Treasurer

“Till date every shortlisted candidate fee has been paid right time without much hassle”