Rice Kids Partners with Sunaayy Foundation to Augment Educational Access for Children Across India

Youth-led nonprofit Rice Kids joins forces with Delhi-based Sunaayy Foundation to continue work that is breaking cycles of poverty through comprehensive education programs.

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J., Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rice Kids, a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged children through education, has formed a partnership with Sunaayy Foundation. The collaboration will focus on supporting children who struggle to access education through traditional means.

Founded in 2009, Sunaayy Foundation has been addressing educational challenges for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through learning centers that combine academics with nutrition and holistic care. The organization operates innovative in-person and virtual learning environments that serve thousands of children in multiple regions across India, including Delhi/NCR, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The organization also empowers women to play an active role in society and become economically independent.

This partnership combines Rice Kids' comprehensive support model with Sunaayy Foundation's established network of learning centers. Together, the organizations will provide educational resources, nutritional and wellness support, and skills development programs designed to create sustainable pathways out of poverty for vulnerable families.

"Sunaayy Foundation's commitment to holistic education perfectly aligns with our mission," said Anakh Sawhney, founder of Rice Kids. "Their innovative approach to serving children who have been left behind by traditional systems creates real opportunities for young people to build better futures, and allows us to reach more children while supporting an organization that truly understands how education transforms communities."

This important work addresses a critical gap in educational access across India, where millions of children from marginalized communities face barriers to quality schooling. By combining educational programming with subsistence needs, both organizations recognize that learning cannot happen when fundamental needs remain unmet.

"Partnering with Rice Kids strengthens our ability to serve families and kids more effectively," said Richa Prasant, founder of Sunaayy Foundation. "Their support, front-line work, and community-driven model aligns with our programming and makes it more holistic, while maintaining the quality that helps children thrive academically and personally."

Rice Kids, founded when Sawhney was nine years old, has grown to support thousands of individuals through education, nutrition, and health initiatives. The organization operates across five U.S. states and multiple regions in India, working with more than 300 partners to create sustainable change in communities affected by poverty.

Sunaayy Foundation's approach includes providing freshly prepared meals daily to students while delivering a curriculum that incorporates social and emotional learning alongside traditional academics. Their programs have demonstrated success in improving attendance, academic performance, and long-term educational outcomes for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

The partnership reflects both organizations' commitment to addressing interconnected challenges that prevent children from accessing quality education. By focusing on comprehensive support rather than isolated interventions, the collaboration aims to create lasting change that benefits entire families and communities.

About Sunaayy Foundation
Sunaayy Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 in New Delhi, India, focused on providing education to children from economically weaker backgrounds. The foundation operates holistic learning centers that address education, health, hygiene, and nutrition outcomes for underprivileged children. For more information, visit www.sunaayyfoundation.org.

About Rice Kids

Rice Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged children through comprehensive education, nutrition, and health support. Founded in 2018, the organization has supported thousands of individuals and operates programs across five U.S. states and multiple regions in India.

Press Contact:

Lisa McCormick
(908) 396-6849
https://www.ricekids.org/

SOURCE Rice Kids