The TARA Foundation is working to break the cycle of poverty among underprivileged communities by focusing on early education. The foundation believes that accessible learning opportunities from a young age are key to transforming lives and preventing school dropouts.
“Only through education — and specifically early education — can we break the poverty trap,” said Dato Pardip Kumar Kukreja, TARA Foundation’s Chairman and Founder.
“We are here to build a community that grows together, learns together and thrives together.”
The foundation focuses its work within Malaysia’s B40 communities, the country’s bottom 40% income group, offering free educational support services to children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Our aim is to keep children in school and provide them with the knowledge and values to build a better life,” said Dato Pardip.
Unlike many initiatives that rely on short-term aid, the foundation is driven by a long-term mission.
“Every ringgit raised is channelled directly into education. The goal is to prevent dropouts by offering consistent academic support, structured after-school tuition and mentorship — all provided free-of-charge to students who need it the most,” he added.
“We do not believe in one-off projects. Every centre we run is part of a broader mission,” Dato Pardip explained. “Our values are simple — to give as many children as possible the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.”
In line with that mission, the foundation hosted a gala fundraising dinner last night under the theme ‘Mission: Zero Dropouts’. The dinner raised RM1 million in total, a testament to the goodwill of corporate donors, philanthropists and well-wishers who believe in the foundation’s noble cause.
Dato Pardip expressed heartfelt gratitude to Tan Sri Vincent Tan, whose generosity included a further donation of RM100,000 from the Berjaya Foundation, as well as hosting the event itself which had raised the RM1 million for Tara Foundation. Additional pledges from other guests brought in RM250,000 in sponsorships, pushing the Foundation closer to its mission goals.
“We are truly grateful to Tan Sri Vincent and to all the generous souls who showed up for the children,” said Dato Pardip.
“Also, a special thanks goes to tech entrepreneur Ganesh Kumar Bangah, who connected Tara Foundation with Tan Sri Vincent and the Berjaya Foundation. All of us need to be the change we would like to see in Malaysia and throughout the world. Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Recognising Real Impact
Ganesh, often referred to as the “Bill Gates of Malaysia” for his tech industry success and philanthropic drive, praised the unwavering dedication shown by Dato Pardip and his team.
“In the past five years — including during the difficult Covid years — the foundation has successfully established 30 learning centres,” said Ganesh. “That’s essentially one new centre every two months. It’s a remarkable pace and a real testament to their commitment to accessible, quality education.”
TARA Foundation is believed to have built the largest network of free tuition centres in Malaysia, currently supporting over 3,000 students through 28 active centres nationwide.
During the gala, two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for the establishment of two additional learning centres, a sign that the momentum is only growing.
Each centre is staffed with a full-time teacher and supported by passionate volunteers. The aim is to provide structure, encouragement and opportunities for children who might otherwise be left behind.
“We have learned that 90% of B40 children, if not educated properly, are likely to follow in their parents’ footsteps,” said Dato Pardip. “If the parents are labourers, the children may end up in the same fate. Through education, we are breaking this cycle and offering them a real shot at something better.”
One centre stands as a powerful example: out of 21 students from underprivileged backgrounds, 16 have gone on to university.
“Once they graduate, their futures become filled with promise — not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. That is the power of education, and specifically early education.”
The foundation’s next centre is slated to open in Pulau Kapas, Banting, continuing the momentum of its national outreach.
“We may not change the whole world in a day,” said Dato Pardip, “but for each child we reach, we change their world forever. And that’s a good place to start.”
