United Way of Bengaluru

Lakes have historically served as the lifeblood of Bangalore. Regrettably, the consequences of years of economic growth and population expansion have become evident; within a mere 40 years, the 380 lakes in Bengaluru have dwindled to a mere 81.
The flagship campaign, Wake the Lake, strives to make a significant impact by rejuvenating the ailing lakes of Bengaluru. This endeavour stands as a powerful testament to the collaboration between civic organizations, corporations, and citizens for the greater good. Moreover, the Government of Karnataka has played a pivotal role in supporting this initiative. Over the past decade, Wake the Lake has successfully revitalized more than 20 lakes that were on the brink of complete degradation. This restoration process entailed the removal of sewage, enhancement of water quality, beautification of the lake surroundings, and their transformation into vibrant community spaces.

The One Billion Drops program is a proactive initiative designed to combat the declining groundwater levels in and around Bengaluru by focusing on rainwater conservation. This project adopts an integrated approach, encompassing social, technical, and environmental elements throughout its intervention phase.
Key elements of the intervention include the implementation of percolation pits, each measuring 12 feet in depth and 4 feet in width. These pits function as recharge wells, capable of storing up to 1,28,100 liters of rainwater annually. Notably, the Central Groundwater Board has identified excessive fluoride levels in the city's groundwater, which pose health risks. The percolation pits play a pivotal role in capturing and filtering rainwater, thereby enhancing groundwater quality.

In collaboration with the Women and Child Development Department, the campaign aims to create an optimal learning and developmental environment for children in selected urban and peri-urban anganwadis. The Born Learning Campaign operates on a highly scalable model, emphasizing the imperative need to make early childhood education a norm rather than a mere preference. This paradigm shift significantly enhances learning outcomes as children progress through their primary education journey.
The Born Learning Campaign strives to establish model anganwadis.
The Three Pillars of the Born Learning Campaign:
1. Fostering a Safe and Conducive Learning Environment.
2. Enhancing Learning Outcomes.
3. Mobilizing the Community.

The Rise for Rural program has expanded to encompass 100 villages across Bangarpet, Doddaballapur, Devanahalli, Alur, and Nelamangala taluks. Supported by various partners, United Way has effectively addressed several critical issues faced by rural communities, including:
1. Access to health: The mobile healthcare facility visits 24 villages each week to provide diagnosis, treatment, and health education, emphasizing better health practices and proper hygiene.
2. Early childhood success: Anganwadis in rural areas educate parents on the holistic development of children (aged 0-6 years), preparing them for school socially, physically, and mentally.
3. Economic mobility: Recognizing that education and skill levels may not be optimal in rural areas, we offer credit and hands-on training to empower rural populations. This support enables them to operate micro-enterprises and pursue skill-based occupations, ultimately reducing distress migration.
4. Upskilling the youth