Havas Group, AFAL launch unique programme for underprivileged students

HavasImpact+ (Havas Positive Impact), the global CSR unit of Havas Group India, and Akshara Foundation of Arts and Learning (AFAL), a Mumbai based not-for-profit public trust, have launched a unique programme for underprivileged students. 

Through this programme, HavasImpact+ and AFAL have launched a series of workshops that not only provide education but also impart vocational training. The workshops constitute knowledge-sharing sessions designed specifically for students aged 11-15 years. The first workshop recently concluded in Mumbai. Through these hour-long training sessions, volunteers from Havas Group India visit AFAL premises to interact with the students, imparting training on 3 topics: Design Thinking, Public Speaking and Introduction To Art. The curated sessions are designed to provide the students with the necessary tools to create a foundation for them to build upon, thereby moulding them into future leaders. 

HavasImpact+ is deeply committed to making a positive impact on society through actionable steps that are inclusive and sustainable in the long run. It’s driven by the ethos that Meaningfulness and Corporate Social Responsibility should coexist in harmony. Under HavasImpact+, Havas Group India and AFAL have been working together since 2020 towards the upliftment of underprivileged children and students. 

Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India, said, “At Havas Group India, we believe in using business as a force for good. HavasImpact+, Launched in 2020 and organized around three key pillars – Environment, People & Meaningful communication – Havas Impact+ celebrates Havas’ commitment to positively impact the world we live in and act toward a more inclusive and sustainable society. As part of this meaningful partnership, each year, volunteers from Havas Group India engage with AFAL students through career-focussed initiatives that enables and empowers them because we believe every child should get equal opportunity to grow and flourish. 

Vandana Tilwani, CHRO, Havas Group India, said, “Our association with AFAL has been a 3-year journey. To be able to support them in providing quality education to the underprivileged children has been an extremely satisfying experience for us. It is my belief that children should be nurtured and have strong foundations that can help them build stable careers and lives. Havas Group India stands for progressiveness, and we always strive to be a future-ready network that puts our global Better Together philosophy at the heart of all that we do. This association with AFAL is a testament to our commitment to that philosophy.”

Kunal Chakravarty, Director, Communications & Fund Raising, the Akshara Foundation of Arts and Learning, said, “At Akshara, we have always believed that one of the most precious gifts you can give is the gift of quality time. While over the last two years we have been investing towards building customised development programmes for AFAL students, the 2022 programme with Havas Group, goes a step further in adding more value to our mission by introducing offline training workshops for the underprivileged students. So, thank you, from all of us at Akshara, for being our friends, bringing happiness to the children, and to all of us, continuously!”