Akshay Satheesh

About Akshay Satheesh

Witnessing the potential within individuals, especially in under-resourced communities, has always ignited a fire in my soul. This passion, fueled by the motto \"Come to learn, Go out to serve\"(Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya), led me to co-found Ratham Development Foundation. Here, we combine a professional approach with a deep desire to empower individuals and foster thriving communities. Through Ratham, we\'re working towards a future rich in cultural heritage, where socio-economic development unlocks the potential of every person. Projects like Sarathi, creating conducive learning spaces in villages, are particularly close to my heart. My experience at Udhyam Learning Foundation, impacting students through a student led classroom model in the Kerala LEAP project, solidified my belief in the transformative power of opportunity. This, along with my studies in Social Work and Rural Development at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, fuels my unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

Experience

1. Co-founder

   Ratham Development Foundation

   Jul 2023 — Present · Maharashtra, IN

   Co-founded Ratham Development Foundation with a vision to empower individuals, foster socio-economic development, and preserve cultural heritage within diverse communities. Over the past nine months, we\'ve implemented various programs across two key sectors: Education and Livelihood- Empowering Education (Project Sarathi): Spearheaded Project Sarathi, establishing study rooms in villages to provide accessible learning spaces for students. We promote the importance of traditional knowledge and culture alongside formal education. Our latest addition is the Pardi Nagpur study room, expanding our reach and impact- Livelihood Development and Collaboration: Established six self-help groups amongst tribal communities, providing livestock and other resources for sustainable income generation. We\'ve also conducted training programs for youth and farmers in collaboration with Samudra Tech, IFFCO, and other companies. Additionally, we partnered with Lokmangal Dairy to improve milk production and market access for local communities.

Education

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences

  BA (Hons) Social Work, Rural Development

  2018 — 2021

• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya - JNV

  Higher secondary education, Science

  2016 — 2018