Kinjal Shah: Empowering dreams through Shwas

Shwas, which means “breath” in Gujarati, signifies the breath of hope and new beginnings for the children it serves. Kinjal, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, founded Shwas with a couple of friends, in 2008. Shwas began as a solution to intervene in the educational challenges such as low teacher-student ratio and lack of infrastructure faced by children studying at municipal or trust-run schools. Shwas seeks to provide them with the support they need for academics and beyond. 

“Working with underprivileged children over the years has made me realise that the only difference between them and others is the lack of opportunities. We believe that education is the breath of life that can transform their future and our mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. By bridging the gap between potential and opportunity, we want them to aspire to realise their dreams without being held back,” says Kinjal.

Shwas employs a two-pronged approach to empower children. Firstly, it runs learning centres that offer education with a teacher-student ratio of 1:10/12. This ensures that each child receives the attention they need to strengthen their academic fundamentals. Secondly, Shwas sponsors children’s education, providing financial assistance to help them pursue further studies.

“We identify communities and work with parents to make them realise the importance of educating their children. We rent infrastructure in the vicinity of children’s residences, provide full-time educators, and ensure they get skills and education,” she explains.

Shwas works across various verticals such as academic support, hygiene and nutrition awareness, skill development, and vocational training. All the children spend two hours in a safe and nurturing environment at the centres every day. Children get experiential learning, corporate outings, and fun times. 

“By offering them financial assistance, we allow them to realise their potential and achieve their dreams. We are committed to supporting talented and motivated children who aspire to pursue higher education,” she says.

Since being officially registered in 2013, Shwas has since expanded its reach, educating more than 3,000 slum children daily in 28 centres across Gujarat and Rajasthan. With a team of 50 people, Shwas continues to breathe new life into the dreams of these children. Kinjal has been recognised for her work as a TEDx speaker, has won multiple awards, and has been featured in “50 Inspiring Women of Gujarat” by KD Hospital.

Through Shwas, Kinjal Shah is not just providing education but also instilling hope and creating a brighter future for thousands of children.

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