Access for All: Transforming
Lives Through Education
Access for All: Transforming Lives Through Education
Providing Financial Access to Education to the children from conflict-affected regions
Featured Story
Haobijam Abokson Singh: Building Foundations for Change: Born into an agriculturist family in Manipur, Haobijam Abokson Singh grew up with a passion for numbers and a dream to uplift his community. After completing his 12th grade, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Dr. TTI, Karnataka, under VTU, with sponsorship from Sunbird Trust. Despite the challenges, his determination and resilience saw him through. Abokson began his career as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at Prestige Group, where his dedication quickly earned him a promotion to Site Engineer. For 2.5 years, he honed his skills, building not just structures but a solid foundation for his aspirations. In 2024, he returned to Sunbird Trust to oversee infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh. Beyond constructing schools and facilities, Abokson is creating opportunities for progress in underserved regions.
Why Access for All?
Education in Northeast India faces challenges such as:
Conflict and Isolation
Decades of violence have disrupted access to education.
Economic Barriers
Many families cannot afford tuition fees.
Resource Gaps
Schools lack basic infrastructure and learning materials.
The AFA Programme was created to address these issues, ensuring children from underserved communities can access quality education and break the cycle of poverty.
Overview of the Program
The Access for All (AFA) Programme by Sunbird Trust aims to bridge the gap in educational opportunities for children from remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India. By addressing financial barriers, the programme ensures that underprivileged children gain access to quality education, empowering them to build brighter futures and contribute to their communities.
The key objectives of the AFA Programme are:
Providing tuition fee sponsorships to economically disadvantaged students.
Increasing student enrollment by removing financial barriers to education.
Improving academic performance and retention rates through sustained support and strict monitoring.
Promoting long-term socio-economic benefits for students and their families.
Types of Sponsorships Under the AFA Program
The AFA Programme focuses on three main areas of support:
School Education
The program provides need-based sponsorships for students from Nursery to Grade 10
College Education
For higher education, the programme supports students based on both merit and financial need. It offers scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional studies, enabling deserving students to pursue their ambitions despite economic challenges. This support empowers students to achieve their career goals and become changemakers within their communities.
Skill Development and Sports
The programme extends its support to skill development by providing vocational training and professional development opportunities. Additionally, Sunbird Trust nurtures young talent in sports, enabling students to pursue their passions while continuing their education. Examples include students excelling in boxing at the Mary Kom Boxing Academy or pursuing tennis at the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bangalore. This comprehensive approach ensures that students have the tools to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.
A Sustainable Approach
The AFA Programme emphasizes shared responsibility and community involvement. Sponsored students contribute actively to school projects, such as managing kitchen gardens, tree plantations, and participating in maintenance tasks. This not only gives them a sense of responsibility but also strengthens the bond between the school and the students.
Parents are integral to the success of the programme. They are encouraged to contribute in any way they can whether financially or in kind. This might include providing essential resources such as rice, vegetables, or firewood for the school, or even volunteering labor for infrastructure projects. By involving parents in the educational journey, we ensure that they feel a sense of ownership, which in turn fosters a deeper commitment to their children’s education.
Furthermore, the AFA Programme thrives on the support and involvement of the community. Alumni who have completed their education often return as mentors, interns, or full-time team members, completing the cycle of giving back to the community that supported them. This creates a sustainable and self-reinforcing cycle of education, community development, and empowerment. Through these combined efforts, Sunbird Trust ensures that the AFA Programme is not only about providing financial support but also about building a collaborative, community-driven model that helps students and families thrive. The sense of ownership and involvement from parents, communities, and alumni guarantees the programme’s continued success and long-term impact.
Impact
48000+
Annual Scholarships Provided
500+
Students Supported in Higher Education
75+
Students Supported in Sports
92%
Students Supported in Skill Developement
32
Alumni Returned to Serve Their Communities
Impact Map
A state-wise breakdown of students supported. Give NE Map and show state wise numbers
10,000+
Manipur
8,000+
Assam
6,000+
Meghalaya
5,000+
Arunachal Pradesh
4,000+
Nagaland
2,000+
Sikkim
How You Can Help
Join Us in Transforming Lives
Sponsor a child’s education for
₹4,800/year
Support hostel fees for