Our Kennedys IQ team based in Kerala is deeply connected to the communities where they live and work. The team regularly supports local initiatives that aim to improve lives in meaningful ways.

The recent Youth Enrichment Programme reflects that approach in action.  By working in partnership with The Women Empowerment and Human Resources Development Centre of India, and other NGOs that truly understand the needs of under-resourced communities, our team helped bring high-quality learning and support to children and young people who have limited access to such opportunities.

Over 750 students from Kerala’s coastal communities took part in the 2024-2025 Youth Enrichment Programme.  It was run by WHI (Women Empowerment and Human Resources Development Centre of India) with support from Kennedys IQ.

The sessions were held in 10 neighbourhoods across the Veli sector.  Most students came from fishing and daily wage worker families. More than half were girls. They joined to improve their English, learn digital skills, and become more confident.

The Veli sector sits along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram. It includes areas like Vettukadu, Chakai, Vallakkadavu, and Kannanthura. These are densely populated, working-class neighbourhoods. Many families here face challenges like poor access to educational support, unstable income, and limited exposure to digital tools or English-language learning.

Students from seashore communities actively participated in the sessions, making the program inclusive and community oriented.

These areas were selected to ensure outreach to underrepresented and vulnerable highly populated areas – where children and young people live.

“With the partnership of Kennedy IQ, WHI’s youth enrichment programme can now aim to make a radical departure from the sweatshop livelihood priorities… and move towards the task of accelerating high skill-socially committed talent from the most marginalized coastal communities into the socio-economic transformation of the innovation driven future.” – Dr. KG. Vijayalekshmy, Chairperson of WHI

The programme

The programme included 27 sessions.  Students worked on English speaking activities, writing stories and teamwork challenges.  They learned to use MS Word and explored topics like cyber safety, gender rights and mental health. 

In small groups, they practiced public speaking and discussed ideas like robotics, child rights and climate change.

“Youth enrichment program is a comfortable space where I started practicing my English without judgement… I was encouraged to do many creative activities in English. This has helped me a lot in my school, my studies and my everyday life.” – Fida, participant (17)

“Earlier, I did not discuss great ideas like artificial intelligence or robotics with my friends. At the Youth enrichment program, I made many friends who liked discussing about new ideas and technology.” – Ruksana, participant (16)

What changed?

WHI tracked 587 students who attended at least two sessions.  They measured behavioural changes session by session.  The biggest impact was seen in soft skills and child rights awareness.  These got an average score of 9 (out of 10).  Life skills, hygiene, and mental health scored 8.  English communication, gender awareness, career clarity and drug awareness scored 7.  Digital literacy scored 6, showing that students need more time and support in this area.

Students became more confident.  They started asking questions.  They showed up cleaner and more prepared for school.  They were less afraid to speak.  Some started mentoring their classmates.

You can read more about these outcomes in the full Youth Enrichment Programme Impact report here.  It includes case studies, photographs and a breakdown of behavioural shifts across all sessions. 

Tailored support for 220 students

Kennedys funding allowed the team to add a new feature this year – individual-level tracking and support.  Out of the 745 students, 220 were identified for targeted mentoring.  The project team worked closely with teachers and parents.  They followed each student’s progress in detail.  This helped them support those with higher potential more effectively and allowed for deeper learning between sessions.

In the previous cycle (2023-2024), follow-up was limited to the sessions themselves.  With this upgrade, coordinators could go beyond attendance and really focus on helping students grow.

This also helped WHI prepare a plan for the next cycle (2025–2026), which will focus more on high-end tech skills, hands-on learning and preparing students for innovation-led careers.

About Thrive Together

This initiative forms part of Thrive Together, Kennedys’ global volunteering and pro bono programme.  It supports colleagues to give their time and skills to support the causes they care about and to projects that benefit under-resourced communities.

In this case, we supported young people in coastal Kerala through our NGO partner, WHI’s education and skills programme.  This initiative helped over 750 students build confidence, improve their English and access early digital learning – for many, it was their first time using a computer or speaking English without feeling embarrassed.  It also supported targeted mentoring for 220 students identified for further learning intervention.  

The programme contributes to SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth by helping prepare children and young people from low-income communities gain better access to education, training and future work opportunities.

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