Who we are
Vidya Shakti is a non-profit organization established in North Carolina (U.S.A) to empower girls and make them economically and socially independent. We identify children from known communities and through references provided by sponsors.
We currently support about 90 students. The girls are from various states in India – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Our goal is to focus on children from govt/government-aided schools/colleges as much as possible. The fund distribution in India is managed through our Indian foundation, Zandig Knowledge Foundation in Bangalore.
What Make Us Different
We Educate
We provide financial assistance to underprivileged girls, enabling them to pursue their academic aspirations and achieve their dreams.
We Help
We are committed to supporting all our girls financially and, if possible, extending our help to more students in need.
We Build
We hope to empower underprivileged women in India and make them economically and socially independent. The Empowered youth shall in-turn empower the Country.
We Donate
Our contribution will make a huge difference in their life. We hope you will continue to support them and make a positive impact in their lives.
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The Spark Behind Vidyashakti
Vidyashakti was born from a simple yet powerful idea: Education is the key to empowerment. What started as a grassroots level effort to support a handful of students has grown into a movement, connecting sponsors and volunteers with bright, determined girls across India. Each success story strengthens our resolve and widens our impact.
Millions of girls drop out of school every year due to poverty. We believe this is not just a personal loss—it’s a loss for society. Educating girls leads to stronger economies, healthier families, and more just communities.
Mission – To Provide Financial and counselling assistance to educate underprivileged girls and help them achieve their Dreams.
Vision – To empower underprivileged Women in India and to make them economically and socially independent
Our USP:
To provide continuous financial and counselling support to the girls right from primary school to graduation until they are employed and independent.
In Loving Memory of Mrs. Thangam, founder and pillar of Vidya Shakti – By Nitya Ganapathy, Co-founder of Vidya Shakti and Zandig Foundations
Thangam, my sister was a Guardian Angel and Godmother for our family, extended family members and friends around her. As the name implies, she had a heart of pure gold. She was the greatest soul, genuinely kind and compassionate. She was always willing to help needy people and I have never heard her say “no” to anyone who seeks help. I was always amazed to see how quickly she pulled together the finances and other resources to support others. She used to support so many daily vendors, especially women near her home by providing financial assistance. While she was working at the bank, she went above and beyond her job duties to support her customers’ needs. That is how, she introduced Aruna (Vidya Shakti co-founder) to me when she came here to do master’s in NCSU. Aruna’s dad was a customer at her bank since 1983 and they all always checked on each other’s family. In 2006, when Aruna was moving to US to pursue her master’s at NC State, her dad and mom were very worried as she was the first one in her family to step out of India. Thangam immediately called me and connected us. This was a very small gesture but it meant a lot to Aruna’s parents. Because of her open heart, our families have been close since then. Her life was filled with similar incidents, helping others within the family, friends, and community. Thangam was one of the pillars of Zandig/Vidya Shakti foundation. She and I started this small initiative almost 10 years back, supporting a handful of children. As we were getting more requests for education help, we decided to expand by reaching out to friends in the Triangle community. The expansion wouldn’t have been possible without all your overwhelming support. We miss her a lot!. We are committed to continuing her passion and growing the seed she planted into an everlasting tree, providing nourishment to many more children and families. By Nitya Ganapathy, Co-founder of Vidya Shakti and Zandig Foundations
In Loving Memory of Mrs. Nalini, another pillar of Vidya Shakthi – By Aruna Munikrishna, Co-founder of Vidyashakti Foundation.
Always smiling, cooking, cleaning, helping. My mom’s kindness had no bounds. Anybody who came home left with a full heart and stomach. No matter what time we had guests, she will have a full spread of food for the guests. Helping the needy and volunteering were just in her nature. My mom did not wait till she had all the money in the world to help family and friends in need. Growing up with limited income, I still remember my mom helping the families in need with necessities like grocery for family, textbooks or uniforms for students. I remember she would pack an extra lunch every day for my friend when I was in school. It was the little things that made a difference to somebody’s life. All her good deeds were paying off and my family was doing much better financially, and both my parents dedicated themselves to volunteering through Lions Club. They ran several blood donation camps and eye camps in villages, organized mass wedding events, and setting up homes for new married couples. They adopted a Government School in Ulsoor Bangalore where my mom studied when she was a little girl and helped improve the infrastructure, provided school supplies and technology, and got jobs for several teaching assistants. She always focused to empower women to have their own source of income, trying to get them jobs, and advising them about finances. The list is endless.
With a dimple smile and kind words she has made a difference in so many lives. She has taught me the only ingredient to make the world a better place is the desire to help. My mom has been a part of Vidya Shakti since 2018, identifying students and families in need and providing guidance. She did not have the opportunity to continue her studies when she was 16, but she made sure I got a great education so I can be independent. She also made every effort to encourage families to send their daughters to school and get a good education. She met several Vidya Shakti students based out of Bangalore, encouraged them to work hard. We will forever miss her smile and guidance.
~ By Aruna Munikrishna, Co-founder of Vidyashakti Foundation.