Happy Horizons Trust
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Formation | 2012 |
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Founder | Kshitiz Anand, Vatsala Vikram |
Type | Non-profit organization |
Purpose | Education, Healthcare, Social Empowerment |
Headquarters | Saharsa, Bihar, India |
Region served | Bihar, India |
Key people | Kshitiz Anand (Co-founder), Vatsala Vikram (Co-founder) |
Website | happyhorizons |
Happy Horizons Trust (HHT) is an Indian non-profit organization based in Saharsa, Bihar, founded in 2012 by Kshitiz Anand and Vatsala Vikram. The trust focuses on improving education and healthcare access in rural Bihar through design thinking, participatory learning, and community-driven initiatives. HHT works with rural government schools and underserved communities, aiming to address systemic challenges such as education inequity, digital literacy gaps, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.[1]
History
Happy Horizons Trust was established in 2012 with an initial seed funding of ₹5,000 from Kshitiz Anand’s grandmother.[2] Inspired by their personal experiences with poverty and education challenges in Bihar, Anand and Vikram launched the trust to transform rural education and empower communities. The organization has grown to work with 75 government schools, impacting approximately 35,000 students across Saharsa and surrounding areas.[3]
Programs and Initiatives
Education
HHT’s flagship education program focuses on enhancing the quality of learning in rural government schools through innovative teaching methods such as storytelling, video-based learning, and design thinking.[4] The trust collaborates with organizations like Teach For India and Pratham Books to develop engaging curricula and teacher training modules.[5]
In 2014, HHT inaugurated a computer center in Saharsa to promote digital literacy among students, teachers, and local farmers.[6] The READY (Rethinking Education and Development of Youth) program, launched in 2016, empowers girls through workshops on digital literacy, internet safety, and leadership skills.[7] The program addresses findings from the Annual Status of Education Report, which highlights low learning outcomes in rural schools.[8]
Healthcare
In June 2020, HHT launched Happy Horizons Healthcare (HHH), an initiative to address healthcare disparities in rural Bihar. The trust is developing a 25-bed hospital in Saharsa, set to open in August 2021, to provide affordable healthcare services.[9] HHH employs telemedicine, community health education, and awareness campaigns to combat illegal medical practices and improve healthcare access.[10] The initiative collaborates with Fondesan, Anand’s design studio, to create user-friendly telemedicine interfaces.[11]
Design Thinking Approach
HHT integrates design thinking into its programs, using methodologies like empathy mapping, co-design, and iterative design to create tailored solutions for rural communities.[12] The trust’s “Community-Driven Design Framework” involves stakeholders—students, teachers, and parents—in the design process to ensure solutions are culturally relevant and sustainable.[13] This approach has been recognized for its effectiveness in addressing systemic issues like low teacher motivation and inadequate infrastructure.[14]
Impact and Recognition
Happy Horizons Trust has been lauded for its contributions to rural education and healthcare. In 2016, Kshitiz Anand was selected as one of eight entrepreneurs for the Teach For India X Fellowship for his work with HHT.[15] The trust’s digital literacy initiatives were highlighted in a 2019 report by UNICEF India for their role in empowering rural youth.[16] In 2021, HHT received the Bihar Social Impact Award for its contributions to education and healthcare.[17]
Partnerships
HHT partners with organizations like Teach For India, Pratham Books, and UNICEF India to scale its impact.[18] Its collaboration with Fondesan has enabled the development of innovative educational tools and healthcare interfaces.[19] The trust also works with local government bodies to align its programs with state education and health policies.
References
- ↑ "About Happy Horizons Trust". Happy Horizons Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "A Small Gift Sparks Big Change in Bihar". The Hindu. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Happy Horizons Trust Reaches 35,000 Students". India Today. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Education Programs". Happy Horizons Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Happy Horizons Partners with Pratham Books". Financial Express. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Saharsa Computer Center Launched by HHT". The Telegraph India. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "READY Program Empowers Bihar's Girls". The Week. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ Annual Status of Education Report 2020 (Report). ASER Centre. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Happy Horizons Healthcare to Launch Hospital". Hindustan Times. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Healthcare Initiatives". Happy Horizons Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Fondesan Designs Telemedicine for HHT". Business Today. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Design Thinking in Rural Education". The Hindu Business Line. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Our Approach". Happy Horizons Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "HHT's Innovative Approach to Education". The Indian Express. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Teach For India X Fellowship 2016". Education World. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ Digital Literacy in Rural India (Report). UNICEF India. 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Happy Horizons Trust Wins Bihar Social Impact Award". The Times of India. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Our Partners". Happy Horizons Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "Fondesan and HHT: A Design Partnership". Financial Express. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2025.