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.

Learn More

IMPACT

PRITI

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

Read More

BUNTY

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

GARIMA

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

Read More

ISHRAR

Ishrar loves playing all kinds of sports: volleyball, football, handball.
Read More

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…”

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

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

Not Just a Coach: Building a Feminist Sports Culture From the Ground Up

Not Just a Coach: Building a Feminist Sports Culture From the Ground Up

by | Jul 12, 2025

Sport is a deeply gendered activity. It not only welcomes boys and men more enthusiastically than girls and women but often serves as a space that celebrates skills and values marked as ‘masculine.’ At Project KHEL, we have spent over six years attempting to redefine this space — crafting a mixed-gender, feminist sporting environment where girls feel welcome and boys learn to build healthier relationships with other genders.

read more
Why Every KHEL Team Member is a Practitioner

Why Every KHEL Team Member is a Practitioner

by | Apr 30, 2025

What if everyone in an organization — regardless of role or rank — was actively involved in fieldwork? What if every team member wore multiple hats, personally knew the beneficiaries, and met them regularly? What if accountability was universal, and skills weren’t...

read more
The Project KHEL Logo

The Project KHEL Logo

by | Feb 11, 2023

Logos are the first visual explainer of a brand’s identity. The colours, the shapes, the text, the font, the size, the shape, every aspect of it has a purpose that signifies what an organization stands for.When we started Project KHEL 7 years back, we wanted to invest...

read more
View More Stories

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