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ABOUT US
Empowering one child, one family, one community at a time.
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Founded in 2015, Gubbachi is a Section 8 company* working towards the educational inclusion of marginalised children - typically from migrant families, as well as community interventions connecting migrant families to benefits and entitlements.
*What is a Section 8 company?
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The Companies Act, 2013 defines Section 8 companies as those with charitable and non-profit objectives, including education. All income and profits for such entities are put towards furthering their chosen cause, with no dividends being paid to any of their members.

MEET THE TEAM
From left to right: Rizwan, Preethy, Deyone, Mani, Nomita and Somya
gubbachi team
JOSEPH DEYONE JACOBI
CO-FOUNDER | MATH EXPERT
Deyone is a Math Educator with an engineering degree to boot. An MA in Education from Azim Premji University inspired him to act on the belief that universal quality education has the potential to solve many current social issues. He believes in the simplicity of Math and that every child can learn abstract mathematical ideas from daily life experiences. Developing ideas and materials to make learning Math a happy experience is what excites Deyone.
MANIMAKALAI RAJA
CO-FOUNDER | PROGRAM LEAD, TRANSFORM
After an MA in Women's Studies, Mani was involved in research and editing for documentary films. While working on projects related to education and pedagogical practices, she found her calling. She then pursued a Montessori Diploma in Elementary and Early Child Learning, following which she was a facilitator and mentor in the primary wing of Prakriya Green Wisdom School for five years. She enjoys working with children and creating interactive, hands-on lesson plans to make both teaching and learning enjoyable experiences.
NOMITA SIKAND
CO-FOUNDER | RESOURCE MOBILISATION
Nomita studied Microbiology (B.Sc), and has been a middle school teacher for seven years. An MA in Education from Azim Premji University strengthened her belief that quality learning is every child's right, and a strong literacy program is central to the ideas of equity. She consulted with APU to design and implement academic support for students in the MA programme as part of a student support initiative. She enjoys teaching and is involved with the English foundational program for Gubbachi Connect and Proactive. She is currently responsible for Resource Mobilisation.
PREETHY RAO
CO-FOUNDER | PROGRAM LEAD, BUDS & CONNECT
Preethy shifted tracks from being a Market Researcher to working in a school for marginalised children in 2008. Her interest in the idea of equity through literacy was sparked off during her MA studies in Education at the Azim Premji University. This led her to being part of Gubbachi’s founding team. Preethy is currently Program Lead of the Bridge program at the Community Learning Centre (CLC) at Bellandur, an alternative intervention to mainstream schooling for children who can't afford private schools.
RIZWAN AHMED
CO-FOUNDER | PROGRAM LEAD, ENABLE
Rizwan, a postgraduate in Business Finance, transitioned from a career in the financial services sector to the social development sector. After completing an MA in Development from Azim Premji University, he managed a community-based education program for government schools across six districts of Karnataka at Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement driven by his commitment to delivering quality education to marginalized children. With a deep understanding of the education ecosystem, Rizwan collaborates with diverse stakeholders to ensure the seamless operation of Gubbachi’s initiatives. He oversees community-related interventions and manages relationships with government agencies.
SOMYA NAND
CO-FOUNDER | PROGRAM LEAD, SCHOOL LEARNING PROGRAM
A Math major from Delhi University, Somya moved from a career in consulting for garment manufacturing to teaching. Her desire to understand and contribute towards the education of the underserved led her to an MA in Education at Azim Premji University, and to eventually to co-found Gubbachi. Somya is now the Program Lead for the School Learning Program at our partner government school in Kodathi.

ORGANISATION NUMBERS*
50 8 17 12 14 11 15
HEALTH ASSOCIATES
TEACHERS
COORDINATORS
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATES
ADMIN & OPERATIONS
VOLUNTEERS
CENTRE HEADS
* 2024-25
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