We use the language of play to impart
what is untaught and speak what is unsaid.

Gender integration in thought.
Gender inclusivity in action.
Gender sensitivity in language.

Pluralism as a way of life

The Playground is our classroom

We use the language of play
to impart what is untaught
and speak what is unsaid.

Gender integration in thought.
Gender inclusivity in action.
Gender sensitivity in language.

Pluralism as a way of life

The Playground is our
classroom

We use the language of play
to impart what is untaught
and speak what is unsaid.

Gender integration in thought.
Gender inclusivity in action.
Gender sensitivity in language.

Pluralism as a way of life

The Playground is our classroom

Gender based segregation, the first step towards gender based discrimination, is not something that comes naturally to children – it is learnt from adults. Children need to know that they’re equals, who can laugh together, play together, talk together and have fun together.

– Akshai Abraham, Founder, Project KHEL.

 

Gender based segregation, the first step towards gender based discrimination, is not something that comes naturally to children – it is learnt from adults. Children need to know that they’re equals, who can laugh together, play together, talk together and have fun together.

– Akshai Abraham, Founder, Project KHEL.

 

ABOUT US

What if playing and learning weren’t opponents? What if play was just another language that children had to learn as a part of their school syllabus? This is exactly what Project KHEL specializes and inculcates in thousands of school-going children in India.

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IMPACT

PRITI

Priti was a shy girl. She would hesitate before talking to people and could not make friends”

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BUNTY

Bunty says it like it is: “My mind was like a jammed-up door, but after Project KHEL, it’s opened up.”
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GARIMA

She would come to the field and watch Project KHEL’s sessions before we convinced her to join in.

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ISHRAR

Ishrar loves playing all kinds of sports: volleyball, football, handball.
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Direct Impact

Indirect Impact

Social Media Outreach

Media Outreach

TESTIMONIALS

My experience with Project KHEL has been exceptional. Despite having busy schedules the members and volunteers never fail to turn up. Their sense of dedication comes from their fundamental belief of mutual respect for one another.

Sera Kazmi

volunteer, Lucknow

The very fact that you make girls and boys play together and are so normal about this interaction has had a huge impact. I have never seen my adolescent female students so comfortable with their bodies.

Swati Dubey

Principal, Justice Triveni Sahai Shiksha Niketan, Lucknow

I came across Project KHEL while searching for a place where I could play and help underprivileged children. But as I started getting more and more involved, I realised the tremendous impact sports or any joyful activity had on children’s lives.

Dildeep

donor and volunteer, Lucknow

“…as I turned 18, continued to perform better, became more confident in leading my sessions and giving feedback constructively to my colleagues, most of who are older than me, I was offered to join as a full-time team member while continuing my studies…”

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Santosh

Youth Leader (2017 – till date)

“I was not able to understand your methodology of work, but now I realise it’s worth and am trying to convince every teacher/principal to try this. I love the work Project KHEL does. I have seen the changes in the children because of Made in Maidaan sessions”

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Mrs. Reeta Tandon

Principal, Bharatiya Balika Vidyalaya

“With you, the children play and learn. They have learnt how to read and are also able to talk a little in English. Most importantly they do not waste their time roaming around, they have learnt how to keep clean and behave nicely.”

Read More

Parent

Vineet Khand Plot settlement

My experience with Project KHEL has been exceptional. Despite having busy schedules the members and volunteers never fail to turn up. Their sense of dedication comes from their fundamental belief of mutual respect for one another.

Sera Kazmi

volunteer, Lucknow

The very fact that you make girls and boys play together and are so normal about this interaction has had a huge impact. I have never seen my adolescent female students so comfortable with their bodies.

Swati Dubey

Principal, Justice Triveni Sahai Shiksha Niketan, Lucknow

I came across Project KHEL while searching for a place where I could play and help underprivileged children. But as I started getting more and more involved, I realised the tremendous impact sports or any joyful activity had on children’s lives.

Dildeep

donor and volunteer, Lucknow

“…as I turned 18, continued to perform better, became more confident in leading my sessions and giving feedback constructively to my colleagues, most of who are older than me, I was offered to join as a full-time team member while continuing my studies…”

Read More

Santosh

Youth Leader (2017 – till date)

“I was not able to understand your methodology of work, but now I realise it’s worth and am trying to convince every teacher/principal to try this. I love the work Project KHEL does. I have seen the changes in the children because of Made in Maidaan sessions”

Read More

Mrs. Reeta Tandon

Principal, Bharatiya Balika Vidyalaya

“With you, the children play and learn. They have learnt how to read and are also able to talk a little in English. Most importantly they do not waste their time roaming around, they have learnt how to keep clean and behave nicely.”

Read More

Parent

Vineet Khand Plot settlement

My experience with Project KHEL has been exceptional. Despite having busy schedules the members and volunteers never fail to turn up. Their sense of dedication comes from their fundamental belief of mutual respect for one another.

Sera Kazmi

volunteer, Lucknow

The very fact that you make girls and boys play together and are so normal about this interaction has had a huge impact. I have never seen my adolescent female students so comfortable with their bodies.

Swati Dubey

Principal, Justice Triveni Sahai Shiksha Niketan, Lucknow

I came across Project KHEL while searching for a place where I could play and help underprivileged children. But as I started getting more and more involved, I realised the tremendous impact sports or any joyful activity had on children’s lives.

Dildeep

donor and volunteer, Lucknow

“…as I turned 18, continued to perform better, became more confident in leading my sessions and giving feedback constructively to my colleagues, most of who are older than me, I was offered to join as a full-time team member while continuing my studies…”

Read More

Santosh

Youth Leader (2017 – till date)

“I was not able to understand your methodology of work, but now I realise it’s worth and am trying to convince every teacher/principal to try this. I love the work Project KHEL does. I have seen the changes in the children because of Made in Maidaan sessions”

Read More

Mrs. Reeta Tandon

Principal, Bharatiya Balika Vidyalaya

“With you, the children play and learn. They have learnt how to read and are also able to talk a little in English. Most importantly they do not waste their time roaming around, they have learnt how to keep clean and behave nicely.”

Read More

Parent

Vineet Khand Plot settlement

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Our Little Study Center

Our Little Study Center

by | May 5, 2022

About a year before COVID happened, we had noticed a new informal settlement crop up under a flyover that we have often used to reach our centers. We had reached out to that community during the first wave of COVID. The community’s primary occupation being that of...

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Never too late…

Never too late…

by | Jun 29, 2020

Contributed by: Noor As I look back to the day I joined, I realized it’s been a month here working at Project KHEL.  It is my first job and considering that I have other roles to play as a mother and a homemaker, Project KHEL offered me the role of Facilitator with...

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Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces

by | Jun 29, 2020

Contributed by: Safwan Safe space- ये एक ऐसा शब्द है जो अपने आप में ही सुरक्षा का भाव देता है| ये हर आयु के लोगों के लिए आवश्यक  है | ये और आवश्यक तब हो जाता है जब आप समूह में काम कर रहे हों तो, क्यूंकि तब आप अलग-अलग पृष्ठभूमि से सम्बंधित लोगों के साथ काम कर रहे होते...

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Creating Stories

Creating Stories

by | Jul 26, 2019

Every day taking session with children gives a deeper insight in their world and helps in creating a better experience for children.From outside a Project KHEL session might look where few facilitators are doing sessions with children using sports or some other active...

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IN THE MEDIA

ACHIEVEMENTS

Selected as Acumen Fellow

After a rigorous selection process, our founder Akshai Abraham was selected as one of 20 Acumen Regional Fellows from India!

Winner of Mahindra Spark the Rise Contest

Winner of the first round of Mahindra Spark the Rise Contest on the basis of public voting and jury selection in November 2012.

Awarded with India Education Awards, 2017

Our founder Akshai Abraham was awarded for the Innovation in Education at the India Education Awards.

Awarded with the Karamveer Chakra

Our founder was awarded with the Karamveer Chakra award in 2012, a National Medallion for Social Justice and Citizen Action was instituted by iCongo.

Awarded with the “Goldstar India Gold” Certification

Project KHEL has been awarded with the prestigious “Advanced Level Guidestar India Gold” in January 2018, third year in a row.

Eastern Bhoomika Awards

Our senior core team member, Angana Prasad received the Bhoomika Award to to acknowledge her work and sincere passion towards a gender equal society.

Selected for Youth Champions Initiative

Our team member Angana Prasad got selected to participate in the 8-day Youth Champions Initiative (YCI), implemented by the Public Health Institute (PHI) of California.

Felicitated with Piyush Vaghela Award

Our Founder was awarded for his contribution to the Ultimate Players Association of India.

PARTNERS

“…as I turned 18, continued to perform better, became more confident in leading my sessions and giving feedback constructively to my colleagues, most of who are older than me, I was offered to join as a full-time team member while continuing my studies in a long-distance format. I am now being given newer responsibilities, am learning about all the hard work that goes into planning a session, beginning from pre-planning for sessions, time management within a session and more importantly I am learning to be responsible for myself and become a professional. At Project KHEL, everyone is considered an equal without any discrimination. I feel free to try and learn new things and bhaiya and didi are there to correct me. Currently, I am learning to use Photoshop and all of Microsoft Office tools, while studying in class 12 and also doing sessions and the additional work given to me at work. In the near future, I want to establish my own business and I am hopeful that all my learning from Project KHEL, before, during and after sessions will help me thrive.”

- Santosh, Youth Leader (2017 – till date)

“I was not able to understand your methodology of work, but now I realise it’s worth and am trying to convince every teacher/principal to try this. I love the work Project KHEL does. I have seen the changes in the children because of Made in Maidaan sessions and I love the method and how responsible every Project KHEL member is. I sometimes sit and watch the sessions and it is amazing to see how the girls are becoming confident slowly and that is what will help the girls as they enter life after school.”

- Mrs. Reeta Tandon, Principal – Bharatiya Balika Vidyalaya

“With you, the children play and learn. They have learnt how to read and are also able to talk a little in English. Most importantly they do not waste their time roaming around, they have learnt how to keep clean and behave nicely. This programme should definitely be taken to other kids as most people just come to give us things but you all actually care about our kids and invest your time with them.”

- Parent, Vineet Khand Plot settlement