The story behind our work and what shaped our commitment to building safe and supportive spaces for children.
Building emotional resilience in children through sport.
Children grow up in safe, nurturing, and stable environments.
At the heart of our work is listening, empathy, and deep understanding toward children and their communities.
I started KhelMel because of my own experience growing up in an unstable home environment, facing economic difficulties. I became a quiet child; however, engaging in sports helped me improve my confidence and become a better person, socially and economically. Building on my experience, at KhelMel, we use sports not just for physical activity or competition, but to create safe spaces for children to share their feelings and develop confidence and assertiveness.
When I was teaching a 4th-grade class, there was one boy who would always disturb the class. One day, I snapped and said, “Tu bada hoke gunda banega” — that you’re going to become a criminal. Later, I learned that his father would get drunk and beat his mother every night. I realised that children’s behaviour often reflects what they see and feel at home. And it wasn’t just him. I found that 60-70% of children in our community face neglect or violence in their homes and neighbourhoods.
KhelMel was founded on the belief that every child deserves positive childhood experiences. We use sports as a tool for development, not just to build physical strength or competition but also to promote mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Nishi works as a Senior Director at an IT company and is based in Bangalore. As a trustee, he provides valuable guidance on leadership and organisational growth, helping strengthen the vision and direction of the organisation.
Kavya has been associated with KhelMel for about a year. She and Kushal first met during the Leadership in Mental Health course organised by Sangath.
At KhelMel, Kavya contributes across multiple areas — including branding, program implementation strategy, and advising on organisational challenges and founders’ dilemmas. Her insights and support have been invaluable in strengthening the organisation’s overall direction and impact.
Gayatri has been associated with KhelMel for about a year. She and Kushal first met during the Leadership in Mental Health course organised by Sangath.
With extensive experience in research and sports, Gayatri contributes to the development of theoretical frameworks and impact metrics at KhelMel, strengthening the organisation’s evidence-based approach.
Ritesh has recently joined KhelMel as an advisory member. He brings with him over 15 years of experience in the field of sales and marketing, offering strategic insights to help strengthen the organisation’s outreach and growth.
