Garhwal Foundation

Committed to encouraging excellence in academics and athletics in village schools of Rajasthan desert and improving female literacy



ABOUT US

The foundation’s passion, almost transformed into an obsession, is to dive deeper into a geographical area and demographics neglected or underserved for a century or more, that area perhaps is found by other civic leaders to be unglamorous for their attention and resources. We are referring to poverty-ridden villages in the desert of Rajasthan (India) where the inhabitants are trapped into the vicious cycle of punishing, inhospitable weather, high illiteracy rate, especially among female/adolescent girls, lack of medical care, substandard quality of educational and athletic facilities, all ensuring very little upward mobility. We personally witnessed it, observed it, experienced it during our early formative years. So, our passion to redress some of these issues, in whatever small way we can, is not rooted in pure ideological, philosophical, lofty aspirations; it is based on scars etched into our psyche from those powerful, memorable experiences of early formative years.

Our primary focus is on illiteracy, especially among adolescent girls in these villages where the female illiteracy rate is over 50%. Still today an unacceptable illiteracy rate of over 50% and its devastating effects on all areas of life.


We have taken the approach of creating prototypes that can be adopted by other civic and public sector leaders. These prototypes include quality academic and athletic facilities, incorporating digital technologies in classrooms and teaching in these prototype village schools, inspiring students to excel through providing scholarships and public recognition. We have witnessed the results. In one school under this program, the high school pass rate was about 50% seven years ago when the program started; today it is consistently around 100% and quality of passing has improved. We expect to develop, nurture change agents, change leaders, inspiring role models among this adolescent group.


We have built a modern athletic complex in one prototype village to train state, national, and international caliber athletes. See the glimpse of it on the left page. It inspires civic leaders of other villages to adopt and improve upon the idea. We introduced digitization of teaching and learning in a village school. Heads of other schools are visiting and taking the concept to their schools. We provide or finance sixty scholarships annually that has touched numerous lives. We have partnered with other reputable NGO for constructions of an Olympic standard athletic complex with high hopes of training international standard athletes. Plan to build a modern school in this desert village, side by side of the athletic complex is already on the drawing board. A plan to take these ideas to all 3,000 schools in two districts of Rajasthan has been developed, but because of its enormity of time and resource needs, external funding is being seriously pursued. We think a movement has started that will spread and touch many generations.


The foundation’s efforts are led by its sole founder, Hari Garhwal, and the technological, ecological, environmental tasks are assigned to a young college-bound student, Hirsh Garhwal, whose creativity and imagination in the environmental studies and language skills are exemplary and highly critical to this mission.

The foundation’s efforts are led by its sole founder, Hari Garhwal, and the technological, ecological, environmental tasks are assigned to a young college-bound student, Hirsh Garhwal, whose creativity and imagination in the environmental studies and language skills are exemplary and highly critical to this mission.

COMPLPETED PROJECTS

Chandwa Village Stadium

Welcome to the Chandwa Village Stadium – a testament to our commitment to community development and the power of positive change. In this section, we take you on a journey through the heart of Chandwa Village, where we've transformed a dream into reality. Discover how this stadium has become a beacon of hope and a center for community growth

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Chandwa, India, the Chandwa Village Stadium project stands as a symbol of progress and unity. Located adjacent to the Govt. Senior Secondary High School, this project serves as a cornerstone of empowerment for the local community.

Project Details:


The Chandwa Village Stadium offers ample space for various sporting and community activities.

The primary purpose of this project is to provide the residents of Chandwa Village with a state-of-the-art facility for sports, recreation, and community gatherings.

The stadium was completed on 7/12/2023, marking a significant milestone in our mission to uplift the community.

Construction and images:

Project in local news

Impact and Benefits:

The Chandwa Village Stadium has brought about a remarkable transformation in the community. Its benefits include:


  • Improved Sports Facilities: Residents now have access to top-tier sports facilities, fostering athletic talent and healthy lifestyles.
  • Community Engagement: The stadium serves as a focal point for social interactions, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Economic Development: The project has contributed to economic growth in the area, creating jobs and boosting local businesses.
  • Academic performance and retention: The most important achievement of this project has been a dramatic improvement in academic performance and student retention rate at the local school.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team of volunteers, local leaders, and generous supporters who made this project possible. Their unwavering commitment to our shared vision has left an indelible mark on Chandwa Village.


We invite you to explore our other projects and initiatives, all aimed at making a positive impact on communities like Chandwa Village. Your support and involvement can help us continue our mission of creating brighter futures.