Kshama used to work as a Professor at a university. On her way to and from work she had to cross a railway crossing that was routinely closed. A group of children used to beg there every day. Over time she interacted with them and came to know them well. She would carry food and offer it to them. Once while returning home she did not have any food in her car, she offered them some fennel seeds (saunf) that she had. The children were stunned with delight when they ate it and started asking her what it was - because the children had never tasted saunf in their lives.
This incident left Kshama moved and shaken. Misery and poverty have become such a natural part of the landscape for us that we see it but don't notice it. This incident made it real for her. At that moment she understood that, for her own peace of mind, she needed to do something. So she did what she knew best to do -took a few notebooks, a blackboard and chalks - found the slum where those children lived and started teaching them.
From teaching 5 children under a tree in 2013, today we run 3 programs with 11000 children in Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest states of India. Although education is the core of our work, we realised that what keeps the playing field unleveled for these children are myriad other factors that need equal if not more work. Which is why our programs also cover themes such as Social-Emotional wellbeing, health, communication skills, gender awareness, corporate exposure, ethics and skilling
Yellow Rooms are always set up in the heart of impoverished communities. Each has two rooms painted bright yellow and two full time Educators. These are permanent safe spaces that every child in the community comes to for 3-4 hours every day, all year round for decades, to get classes on school subjects and social emotional well being. The aim of this immersive and long-term project is to turn children from very marginalised backgrounds into complete and well rounded human beings by taking education, financial empowerment, emotional and physical wellness to their doorsteps.
Through Yellow Rooms, we take education and well-being to the doorstep of the children.
Over the years we ensure that almost 100% of the children in the community attend formal schools, fund their college education to empower them and provide digital and vocational skilling to make them more employable. The aim being to not just impart cursory literacy, but do more - ensure that they are equipped to use the tool of education to move out of the cycle of poverty.
The Yellow Rooms are completely free of cost for the children and the community.
The curriculum covers topics on values, etiquette, hygiene, nutrition, gender awareness & equality, general knowledge, animal welfare, communication. We also work closely with parents - counselling them, making them aware of government schemes and helping them receive their government entitlements. The impact of Yellow Rooms is life altering.
Over the past 12 years Yellow Rooms has grown from 1 to 47 locations, reflecting the model’s success, adaptability, and strong community impact. The model has further expanded into 13 Yellow SLATEs in government schools and Sarthak Gurukul—a rural formal school.
Organic Growth Rooted in Community Trust : Each Yellow Rooms is set up after thorough community assessment and dialogue. Trust-building and visible impact have led families to invite Sarthak to their areas, enabling need-based, organic expansion.
Expansion Through Government Engagement : Through Yellow SLATEs, Sarthak brings Yellow Rooms’ methodology into government schools—improving foundational learning, emotional strength, and academic performance within existing structures.
A Sustainable, Scalable Model for Long-Term Impact : Yellow Rooms are long-term, immersive : spaces that stay embedded in communities. The launch of Sarthak Gurukul proves the model’s adaptability from slum to rural settings.
Empowering Students to Become Change Agents : Students who were once beneficiaries are now mentors, and role models. Their success inspires others and strengthens the cycle of change within communities.
Leveraging Technology and Media for Wider Reach : Media, storytelling, and social platforms amplify impact and draw in support.
Strengthening Impact Through Funding and Donor Partnerships : Sarthak collaborates with corporate and individual donors to ensure each Yellow Rooms is sustainably resourced.
Our model has been organically developed over the past 12 years, shaped by continuous feedback from the community.
Community Engagement & Baseline Assessments: Before establishing a Yellow Rooms, we conduct baseline surveys, informal interviews, and participatory group discussions to understand the specific educational gaps, social challenges, and aspirations of children and families. This ensures that each intervention is locally relevant and tailored to the community's needs.
Feedback-Driven Program Evolution: Many components of our model have emerged directly from community insights. What began as informal teaching under a tree has evolved into a holistic intervention that now includes socio-emotional learning, nutrition, support, access to government entitlements, school enrolment, college and career guidance, and digital labs.
Structured & Informal Feedback Mechanisms: We continuously refine and expand our programs using structured tools like surveys, assessments, Parents-Teachers-Meetings and Focussed Group Discussions;, and informal interactions such as daily conversations.
Ongoing Community Consultations: We hold regular FGDs and meetings with parents, schools, and local leaders. For instance, health camps on nutrition and adolescent well-being were added based on local feedback and are implemented in partnership with healthcare professionals.
These participatory methods ensure our innovation remains rooted in the real and evolving needs of the communities we serve.
If you want to be part of the Yellow Rooms initiative, there are many ways to support:
Sponsor a Yellow Rooms: Help create a safe, permanent learning space by funding educator salaries, materials, infrastructure, and digital tools.
Support a Child’s Education: Cover school fees, books, uniforms, and transport, ensuring children stay in school.
Fund Higher Education: Empower older students with college fees or skill training, helping them build sustainable futures.
Support Key Needs: Contribute to specific areas like nutrition, libraries, digital tools, or educational supplies.
Volunteer: Share your skills—mentor, teach, or conduct workshops on life skills, arts, or communication.
Spread the Word: Share our story with your network and help more people discover and support Yellow Rooms.
