Each year, Target’s International Giving Program provides volunteer hours and grants in countries where Target Sourcing Services and Target India team members live and work. This year was no different.  Working through United Way Worldwide, Target President of Community Relations Laysha Ward announced education grants to 14 Indian Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) last week in Bangalore, India.

In addition to providing the grants, Target also convened with NGO leaders to share objectives, best practices and challenges, as well as future opportunities to explore greater collective impact.

Laysha joined President and Managing Director of Target India Navneet Kapoor, in addition to other India and U.S.-based team members at Target India’s headquarters in Bangalore for a celebratory event last week. More than 80 children from the affiliated NGOs took center stage in reading activities, quizzes and even a traditional Indian Rangoli competition. Rangoli looks a bit like colored chalk, but is actually created on the floor with colored flour. These designs are meant to be good luck and are considered sacred.

“I enjoyed every minute of the educational celebration,” said Laysha. “From the artwork to the talent competition, the experience with the children was wonderful and truly humbling. Target is grateful for the local partners across India who make such a positive impact on children’s education.”

Activities also took place with Target Sourcing Services team members in New Delhi in support of NGO partner ‘Room-To-Read.’ The team members were on site to donate hundreds of Hindi and English books to kids.

In addition, Akshara Foundation Chairman Ashok Kamath had this to say about our partnership: “Our relationship with Target is a great example of how companies and social organizations can come together to bridge the literacy gap in India. The gift of education is perhaps the most valuable contribution one can make to a child’s life.”

In 2012, Target India team members volunteered close to 6,000 hours to various projects including library, classroom and auditorium makeovers, book distribution drives, career counseling for schoolchildren and teacher training programs.

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