Malabar Group Expands 'Hunger Free World' Initiative, Establishes 247 Micro-Learning Centres Across India

 

Mumbai: As part of its ongoing ‘Hunger Free’ World initiative, the “Malabar Group” has established 247 micro-learning centres across India to provide basic education to street children and facilitate their transition into formal schooling. So far, the initiative has enrolled 11,700 children, offering them a one-year foundational education program designed to integrate them into the formal education system. Each child’s education is supported at an annual expenditure of Rs. 10,000.

In a ceremony held in the East Govandi Tata Nagar slum, Mumbai, Malabar Group Chairman MP Ahammed inaugurated 101 Micro-Learning Centres as part of the project's second phase, spanning 11 states. Notable attendees included Vice Chairman KP Abdul Salam, India Operations Managing Director O. Asher, Group Executive Director A. K. Nishad, and Dr. V. Idrees, Chairman of the voluntary organization Thanal.

MP Ahammed, Chairman of the Malabar Group, stated: "This project reflects our commitment to creating a sustainable future for street children by providing them with the opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty through education. Through these Micro-Learning Centres, we are laying the foundation for thousands of children to have a brighter future, starting with access to basic education."

The ‘Malabar Group’ also announced plans to establish an additional 250 Micro-Learning Centres across 16 states in the next two months, expanding the initiative to serve 25,000 children annually. Children completing their 10th standard will be supported for higher studies, and special scholarships will be provided for girls as part of the Group’s commitment to women's empowerment.

Each Micro-Learning Centre operates with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:40, and children are provided with nutritious meals, including milk, bananas, and eggs. Upon completing the one-year program, students are helped to transition into formal schools. The Hunger Free World initiative also addresses other critical needs of street dwellers, such as healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and securing documentation for government benefits.

In collaboration with Thanal, the Malabar Group distributes 50,000 nutritious food packages daily across 80 cities in 16 Indian states and provides 10,000 food packets daily to schoolchildren in Zambia. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to reach 1 lakh people daily through 200 centres globally.

Malabar Group's CSR efforts also include the ‘Grandma Home’ initiative, which provides shelter to destitute women in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with plans to expand into Kerala, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. Recently, the Group announced Rs. 16 crore in scholarships for 21,000 girls, reinforcing their commitment to empowering women and girls across India.

Since its inception, the Malabar Group has spent over Rs. 263 crores on CSR projects in education, healthcare, and social welfare. Individuals or organizations interested in partnering with the Hunger Free World project can contact the Malabar Charitable Trust or Thanal Non-Profit Organization for more information (Contact: 0495 -2726919).