TARA AKSHAR

TARA Akshar+

Adult Literacy Program

"Providing literacy solutions to empower lives"

TARA AKSHAR

About TARA Akshar+

TARA Akshar+, an initiative of Development Alternatives (DA) Group) is an ICT based program which aims to promote functional literacy among women in 56 days through Akshar Gyan and TARA Ganit, and thereafter through Gyan Chaupali in 6 months.
TARA Akshar+ program has been running in 8 states in India for over a decade. Through this initiative, over 2 lakh women have been made functionally literate.

How Do We Work

Voices from Field

Phoolpatti Devi

Village: Bodhipur, Block: Ramnagar, District: Jaunpur

TARA Akshar+ made me understand the true meaning of independence. My family didn’t allow me to study but I am making sure my children get an education. My two daughters are B.A pa...

Geeta Devi

Village: Danupur, Paschim Patti, Block: Abholi, District: Bhadohi

After TARA Akshar+, I gained the confidence to do any kind of work. After my husband's death, when all the responsibilities of the house came upon me, the learning of the TARA...

Manju Devi

Trilokpur Village, Aurai

Back in 2005, I was the Gram Pradhan of my village but I was unable to perform my duties adequately as I could not read official documents. Now that I have learnt how to read, wri...

Queresha

Chakjudawan Village, Aurai

Earlier when I did not know how to read, write and calculate, the carpet contractor duped me for a long time and paid me only half of my share of payments. After studying in TARA ...

Manju Devi

Lalanagar Village, Aurai

TARA Askhar+ gave us an opportunity which even our parents couldn’t provide. At the age of 48, I got to learn reading and writing. That is something I could never imagine

Awards

Awards & Recognition

Winner of WISE Awards 2016 (An initiative of Qatar Foundation) - For the most innovative and effective practices in tackling urgent global education challenges. This award is internationally recognized. Film by WISE team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jldwXwZec84
Winner eUttara Award, 2014 – For the best practices in the area of digital content, solutions and innovations
Recognized by Buckminister Fuller Challenge Award, 2011 – Recognized as an innovative strategies with the potential to solve humanity’s most pressing problems
Stockholm Challenge Finalist 2010
eIndia 2010 Award Finalist
Wall Street Journal, 2011 – States, “fastest literacy program in the world”
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Greviences (DAR & PG), Government of India, 2010 – Documented as best practice in Adult Literacy with well-structured programme design and an extensive operational plan.

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Endorsed By Funder

“We are proud to have supported Development Alternatives’ innovative programme teaching illiterate women to read, write and do basic math. We have seen really impressive results. This is not just a literacy project; it goes way beyond reading and writing. This programme empowers women to such an extent that they have the confidence to start businesses, improve health practices at home, and actively participate in decision-making in their villages.”
-Per Heggenes, CEO IKEA Foundation

Validated By Evaluators

“TARA Akshar+ is a well-defined and professionally implemented and managed programme. TARA Akshar+ graduates have made significant improvements in reading and numerical skills. Moreover, they are more confident, have a more nuanced understanding of gender rights and relate to the world differently. The program has also created social capital in the villages it was present in and also generated goodwill for itself”.
-India Development Foundation (IDF)