Since its establishment in 2015, the Mumbai-based NGO Hidush Foundation, founded by Rishi Muralimohan, has been a beacon of hope for underprivileged children, fostering their dreams by enhancing the quality of education, infrastructure, and overall well-being. By partnering with corporate entities and leveraging CSR funding, the NGO has embarked on a journey to transform the educational landscape of municipal and rural schools, enabling more than 5,000 children to pursue a brighter future.
Transforming School Infrastructure for Better Learning
One of the core missions of Hidush Foundation is to provide schools with the necessary infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment. To date, the NGO has revitalized 14 municipal and government-aided schools in Mumbai, as well as rural Z.P. schools in Palghar, focusing on creating safe and inspiring spaces for children.
The scope of work at these schools includes everything from painting and educational murals to extensive civil repairs such as roofing, flooring, solar panels, and electrical fittings. The NGO also provides essential amenities like toilets, water purifiers, smart TVs, and computers. By addressing these critical infrastructure needs, Hidush is actively transforming the way underprivileged children experience education, making it more comfortable, engaging, and enriching. Schools with updated infrastructure tend to see better student attendance, more attentive learners, and greater opportunities for talent development through fun activities and co-curricular programs.
Supporting Daily Operations and Providing Essentials
Beyond infrastructure, Hidush Foundation ensures that students have access to the essentials required for their education. This includes distributing refurbished laptops for administrative use, bicycles for students to commute, and providing uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery. These seemingly small contributions play a vital role in keeping students motivated and equipped to pursue their academic journey without unnecessary hurdles.
Promoting Quality Education and Talent Development
Hidush Foundation recognizes that infrastructure alone isn’t enough; the quality of education must also be addressed. To this end, the foundation offers teacher and subject expert support to help students grasp fundamental concepts, especially in critical areas like literacy and mathematics. By enhancing the quality of education, Hidush enables students to develop a stronger academic foundation that will serve them throughout their lives.
In addition to academic support, the foundation offers a variety of extracurricular engagement programs designed to foster creativity and life skills. From macramé crafts and origami art sessions to environmental conservation workshops, Hidush makes sure that children not only succeed in their studies but also develop as well-rounded individuals.
Nurturing Academic Excellence Through Scholarships
True to its mission of empowering underprivileged children to realize their potential, Hidush Foundation also provides scholarships to academically gifted students. Last year, seven top performers from Mumbai’s municipal schools were awarded scholarships of ₹25,000 each, and since its inception, 25 students have received financial assistance from the foundation to pursue higher education. Remarkably, four of these students have cleared NEET and are now on their way to becoming doctors — an incredible feat that underscores the life-changing impact of the foundation’s work.
Focusing on Health and Well-Being
Hidush Foundation goes beyond education to focus on the overall health and well-being of the students it serves. The not-for-profit has conducted 20 health check-up drives, providing basic healthcare to over 600 children. By ensuring the health of these young minds and bodies, Hidush helps create an environment where students can thrive academically and personally.
Committed to Environmental Conservation
In addition to its focus on education and health, Hidush is also committed to preserving the environment. The NGO has led 15 beach clean-up drives in and around Mumbai’s Madh Island and Malad areas, demonstrating its dedication to environmental conservation. The foundation also engages corporate employees and students in tree plantation drives and environmental awareness sessions, further embedding the importance of sustainability into the communities it serves.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons
As the NGO looks toward the future, it plans to broaden its focus to include areas like girl child health, mental health, and mentorship for meritorious students preparing for competitive exams. Additionally, it aims to offer career counseling, aptitude testing, and English communication skills training to further empower students for success in both academic and professional spheres. It also plans to sponsor five nursing degree seats for underprivileged students, with CSR support, in a reputed nursing college.
Hidush is also exploring skilling initiatives for youth, ensuring that the support provided doesn’t end with school but extends into early adulthood.
Corporate Partnerships: The Backbone of CSR Initiatives
None of this would be possible without the foundation’s corporate partnerships. Organizations such as Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd., MSL Driveline Systems Ltd., Inox Air Products Pvt. Ltd., and Sick India Pvt. Ltd. have been instrumental in supporting the foundation’s mission through CSR initiatives. These partnerships have enabled Hidush Foundation to reach more children, transform more schools, and have a lasting social impact on communities.
A Lasting Impact
With each year, Hidush Foundation, co-led by Rishi Muralimohan, Founder, and Suhas Prabhu, Head of Programs and Services, continues to grow its reach and impact, helping more underprivileged children achieve their dreams. Through its focus on infrastructure, education, health, and environmental conservation, the foundation is creating a future where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential — one school, one student at a time.