As of the 2021-22 school year, over 42% of students in Mumbai were enrolled in BMC schools. According to The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, the pupil-teacher ratio should be 30:1. However, in BMC schools, it stands at 41:1. Many students drop out before 10th grade, particularly first-generation learners from socio-economically marginalized communities who lack essential guidance, opportunities, education, and resources. Our experienced volunteers tutor, mentor, and guide these students, empowering them to become educated global citizens and transforming their futures, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a future where every child is guided by a caring and knowledgeable mentor, empowering them to discover and achieve their true potential.
Our Mission
To provide opportunities for dedicated and enthusiastic adults to mentor first-generation learners from underserved communities, we collaborate with local communities, schools, corporations, government agencies, and other developmental organizations. Our aim is to nurture young minds and prepare them for a brighter future through holistic development.
Our Milestones and Goals
In 12 years, we’ve grown in strength and numbers.
Track our milestones:
2012-13
First Centre launched in Bandra West, Mumbai with 80 children in April
Added Santacruz Free Learning Centre with 220 children in September
Total 300 children impacted
2013-14
Added our 3rd Free Learning Centre in Juhu
Santacruz Centre started evening classes
In-school English Program launched to teach English in vernacular medium municipal schools
Total 2480 children impacted: 780 children in Free Learning Centres and 1700 in In-School English Programs
2014-15
Added Andheri East and Sewri Free Learning Centres
Raised major corporate and institutional funding
Total 3280 children impacted: 1580 children in AXF Free Learning Centres and 2500 in In-School English Program
2015-16
Introduced standard curriculum, assessment practices and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) processes
Received significant local community support
2016-17
Added Malad, Colaba, and Powai AXF Free Learning Centres
Added 2nd centre in Santacruz
Total 3500 children impacted: 1000 children in AXF Free Learning Centres and 2500 children in In-school English Program
2017-18
Added Goregaon East, Versova and Amboli AXF Free Learning Centres
Launched community owned and managed centres at Poisar, Mulund and Ghatkopar with summer camps
Added new members to program team and advisory board
Sought freely shared spaces across the city, including schools
2018-19
Total 2000 children impacted across 17 AXF Free Learning Centres
Launched the Free Learning Centre (free franchise) concept
Commenced the development of a life skill curriculum on WHO-mandated topics, using stories and activities across age groups
Piloted a therapy-based Social-Emotional Learning program for Grade 9 students
Established a Youth Engagement Program to connect education to livelihood for students pursuing Degree, Diploma, or Vocational skill courses. The program focuses on career guidance, counseling, and job readiness through strategic collaborations.
2019-20
Total 2200 children impacted across a milestone of 20 Free Learning Centres, with the support of 700 volunteers. 11 centres are citizen-initiated and run.
Life skills program introduced along with self-development training for volunteers, enabling them to handle social/emotional learning for children
School subject tutoring for board exams for Grade 9 and 10
2020-2021
Relief distributed to 1400 student families throughout COVID-19 lockdown and 1000 more families supported with ration kits for hunger relief
Successfully pivoted to online studies for AXF students
2021-22
Added 11 Digital Centres to teach students online
Continued online classes at the existing 20 AXF Free Learning Centres
Impacted 2800 students
Added team members and new programs for students
2022-23
Returned to in-person learning at AXF Free Learning Centres
Increased AXF Free Learning Centres to 24 with 1500 volunteers
Impacted 2500 students
2023-24
Scaled to 30+ centres
Total 3146 students and 1260 volunteers
Reached a total of 36000 volunteer teaching hours
196590 tutoring hours received by students
We consistently enhance our format, curriculum and execution capacities
We want each child to grow into a well-rounded adult.
Our curriculum can be implemented by any group of educated volunteers
Impact stories
Girl-Power “I want to become an IAS officer and bring about gender equality in our society. I want to ensure that women get the same respect as men do…they are empowered to think and act freely,” says 17-year-old Khushboo Suman Jha, an 11th standard…
In the news
One can see the sense of pride that the volunteers have in the children they teach …