MELA : A Celebration of Change in Urban Lucknow
MedicalEntitlementsLiteracyAssistanceMELA (which means ‘festive fair’ in Hindi) is a grassroots initiative working in the heart of urban Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This vibrant state capital, home to over three million people, also holds within it hundreds of slum communities where families live in informal settlements—often beside railway tracks or sewage canals—struggling without proper access to education, healthcare, or government support.
MELA brings hope and dignity to these underserved areas by enabling access to health, entitlements, literacy, and other assistance—through compassion, cost-effective interventions, and community-led action.
Small actions can make a big impact. Here’s how even a modest donation can change someone’s life:
Help someone get their eyes tested and a pair of glasses. This can ease headaches, improve reading ability, and help them return to work.
Help a widow, senior citizen, or person with a disability apply for a government pension. This provides them with a lifelong monthly income of ₹1,000 and stability.
Support a family in switching from wood to gas for cooking. This improves health, reduces pollution, and saves time—especially for women and children.
Sponsor a child’s 6-month one-on-one Hindi literacy journey. This boosts school success and long-term confidence.
These are not just costs—they’re investments in a better future. We estimate that our interventions return over 10 times their value in long-term impact.
Navigating the public healthcare system can be overwhelming. We help by:
Since inception, we’ve supported over 3,000 patients—from broken bones to chronic illnesses—helping many recover from life-threatening conditions.
From Aadhaar cards to pension applications, we assist people in availing their rightful benefits. One key focus is gas connections, which many families avoid due to high upfront costs. We step in by covering 50% of this cost. We collaborate with local government agencies to help them conduct their community activities – including vaccination drives, Anganwadi surveys, health awareness camps and more.
To date, we’ve helped:
Using the ALfA (Accelerating Learning for All) method, our literacy program is joyful, interactive, and child-led—far more effective than traditional rote methods. We currently run:
We also train a handful of interested adults who missed out on formal education, restoring their confidence and ability to participate in society more fully.
We also support their personal development through training in admin, computers, documentation processes, and healthcare knowledge. They’re not just workers—they’re change agents.
Whether you’re an individual, a corporate partner, or just someone who wants to make a difference—there’s a place for you in MELA. Help us bring light, literacy, and lasting change to thousands of families in urban slums.
