Vialista Foundation Inc

Hello from The Vialista Foundation! We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to expanding educational and job opportunities to low-income youths in India.

The Vialista Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in New Haven, CT, founded by a group of Yale University Students.

We are fundraising to support the second cohort of the Vialista Digital Skills Academy, initially launched in January 2023. This program teaches digital accounting and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) to young adults in Chennai, India. We then pair graduates with local companies to ensure fair-paying employment utilizing their newly acquired skills. Our NGO partners in India, the Praise Foundation and Bro Siga Social Service Guild, help us make this work possible.

Dedicated students from our first cohort engage in accounting training.

Our first cohort, comprised of ten students, graduated in April 2024. This group excelled, with a 100% graduation rate. One student said, "This course helps us have a brighter future; please keep supporting us!"

Graduates of our first cohort - donate today to support more success stories like these.

We look forward to launching our second group of students in June 2024—this course will run for six months. This group consists of 30 highly motivated young adults from low-income families who plan to use the skills learned in our program to obtain employment in the accounting and banking sectors. This will dramatically increase their earning potential, transforming their quality of life.

All funds will be used directly to benefit students in our program. This includes paying for accounting and Microsoft Office instructors, WiFi, rent for the class location, laptop maintenance, and official accounting and Microsoft Office proficiency certification through a partnership with a local accredited university - Kings Cornerstone International College.

Your support breaks down into tangible essential resources for our 6-month program.

We thank you for considering a contribution to the Vialista Foundation. With your help, we can meet our goal of $8,100, which ensures that all 30 motivated students receive the full benefits of our Digital Skills Academy. Please donate, share our campaign with friends and family, and join us in transforming the lives of young adults in India. Every donation brings us closer to our financial goal and to a future where every young adult can reach their full potential.

Children born with intellectual disabilities need early intervention along with continued special education, vocational training, and therapy tailored to their needs.

However, many of these children do not have access to these resources because their families don’t know how to help them - either due to a lack of awareness/education or because they cannot afford sustained professional intervention.

By supporting Anbumalar, a non-profit organization working in rural Tamil Nadu, India, you will be reaching out to children with special needs - born into families that are financially challenged - and giving them hope for a brighter future.

Your donation will directly benefit children at the Anbumalar school by giving them:

● Access to quality therapy and training from qualified professionals

● A regular means of transport that will ensure that they don’t miss out on sustained intervention

● Daily meals that meet their nutritional requirements for healthy living

● Programs that teach families and communities to understand them better and treat them with empathy, kindness, and respect

Here is an interesting story about a child trained at the Anbumalar school:

Platini was born into a family of humble financial standing. Sadly, even the little income earned by his father was often squandered on alcohol. His mother, enduring domestic abuse on a daily basis, had sent Platini off to his grandmother's home when he was still a child.

For the first decade of his life, Platini got no special education or training. He was 10 years old when a doctor referred him to Anbumalar.

At Anbumalar, Platini received personalized care through our special educators and therapists. It was during his time at our school that Platini's innate knack for sports - especially in athletic track and field events - was identified.

Soon after, Anbumalar created a platform for him to be trained professionally. We also ensured that he received every possible opportunity to participate in sporting events across the country.

In 2014, we heard the good news that Platini had qualified to represent India in three events at the Summer Special Olympics of 2015! He attended special training camps ahead of the event.

Even then, Platini's life wasn't without problems. His father had used up all the money that his family set aside for his passport and visa on alcohol. But we were not going to let Platini miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

In June 2015, Platini was part of the Indian contingent that flew to Los Angeles, USA for the Special Olympics, and he did not disappoint!

Platini performed remarkably, winning gold in the 100 m. dash and bronze in the long jump. He also secured fourth place in the 4x100 m. relay! Platini's achievement was not just a proud moment for him and the country, but also a great milestone in the history of Anbumalar.

Back home, Platini received several accolades and honors. Today, he lives in a comfortable house that he was able to gift his family - something that his family never would have dreamt possible before!

Platini's story is the story we want for every special needs child. We want to provide them with an environment where they are nurtured, seen as people beyond their disabilities or challenges, given the platform to explore their talents and abilities, and from where they can propel themselves to great heights!

Your support for Anbumalar will give our students a chance to achieve a better future, just like Platini!

Don’t let poverty stand in the way of these children and their futures. By helping them today, you are empowering them toward a better tomorrow where they are capable of taking care of their own personal and financial needs!

Find out more about Anbumalar’s work here



For residents of the Vyarsarpadi community, computers are a rarity. Most young adults own a smartphone but have never used a laptop or desktop computer. This lack of computer literacy becomes a significant barrier when looking for a job, as employers value these basic skills. The goal of the Vialista Foundation is to provide an opportunity for young adults to gain computer literacy through our digital skills academy and broaden their employment opportunities.

Mission

The Vialista Foundation aims to forge a path out of poverty for residents of low-income communities by removing educational barriers to social mobility.

Who we are

The Vialista Foundation is a group of medical students, entrepreneurs, public health experts, and social change makers, all united by the purpose of creating social mobility through educational opportunities.

Our Goal

Importance

In a needs assessment conducted by our team in May 2022, the most significant barrier to success for people in Vyarsarpadi, Chennai, was a lack of skills relating to computer usage. The lack of these skills results in economic hardship, leading to food and water insecurity.

Logistics and Projected Outcomes

We plan to increase the annual salaries of academy graduates by up to 400% by training them, providing certification, and creating pathways to employment in local computer operator jobs. These jobs have a high demand for basic computer skills like data entry, website design, and graphic design, which will be the focus of our digital skills academy.

Relevant Links

To gain a better understanding of individuals within the Vyarsarpadi community who will benefit from our intervention, click on the link to view a video created by our organization with the help of one of our partner organizations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eQTxcr96us&t=4s

Visit our website for updates on our project: http://www.vialistafoundation.org