18 years in Karnataka, since 2008
Young women rebuilding their lives through clay, craft and design.
Headstreams works with adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 29 who have dropped out of formal education. Many of them have experienced abuse, abandonment, violence or trafficking as children. Through craft and design education, with ceramics at its heart, we help them build well-being, skills and financial independence, and live lives of their own choosing.
- Registered society since 2008
- 12AB, 80G, CSR-1 & FCRA registered
- CII Compendium on Rural Development 2026
- NASSCOM Foundation Social Innovation Award in Education
- LEGO Foundation & Ashoka: Pioneer in Learning through Play
18+ years
- people reached directly
- 33,900+
- children reached through play and learning
- 25,500+
- young people trained for work and further study
- 6,200+
- women building livelihoods
- 2,200+
People reached directly, 2008-2026, each counted once per programme. How we counted
At the heart of our work
A life of her own choosing.
Skills and income matter. But what we most want for every young woman is a life of choice and dignity, where she has the power to make choices that fit her own values and goals.
Read about our approachOur work
Build. Connect. Prepare.
Three pillars help every participant in our programmes navigate their lives with confidence and dignity: building their sense of power and skills, collaborating with peers and nurturing others with their learnings.
Building capabilities for youth through creative livelihood education.
- Yuva Shilpi Training
- Youth Internship
- Livelihoods Facilitator Programme
- Prarambha Community Programme
Promoting collective power and economic inclusion for women.
- Aalamba Livelihood Collective
- Chakra Kalé: Pottery On Wheels
Nurturing creative confidence in children and adolescents.
- Play & Learn Facilitators
- Anu Akka Tackle Caravan
Pay it forward. Everyone who trains with us in Build and Connect also learns to facilitate play and learning spaces for children through the Anu Akka Tackle Programme.
One young woman's journey
In a safe place, creating a life of her own making.
Girls of 15 to 18 years in institutionalised care join the Yuva Shilpi Training Programme; young women of 18 to 29 years join the Youth Internship Programme. Trained alumni are supported to connect with learning or livelihood opportunities matching their interests. Those who like to continue in the creative livelihood sector join the Aalamba Livelihood Collective.
- ArriveA safe, trauma-informed space, with psycho-social education and peer support from day one.
- LearnCraft and design, ceramics, goals clarification, 21st century skills, digital and financial literacy.
- Earn while she learnsAdvanced internship training with a stipend, product sales and commercial orders.
- LeadAs an "I am a changemaker" intern, she facilitates the setup of craft and design training in other CCIs and NGOs.
- OwnA place in the Aalamba Livelihood Collective or with Pottery On Wheels, then her own independent path.
- Give backAll along the way, she runs play sessions for children through the Anu Akka Tackle Caravan Programme.
In her words
"I became really good at glazing and mosaic work... I believe we should be able to take care of ourselves without depending on others. This helped me achieve that this year."
For donors and CSR partners
Accountable, audited, recognised.
Annual reports since 2008, audited financials, and internal policies in place.
We are grateful to those who have supported and worked with us over the years: Adobe, Atkins, Atlassian, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Charities Aid Foundation, Fossil India, Let's Do Some Good (LDSG), Microsoft, Mphasis, NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore), State Street, TCS, Thoughtworks, Titan, Vinir Engineering, WOW Kitty and several other organisations and individuals.
Reports & governance- Registered. Society since 2008; 12AB, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA registered.
- Measured. Every programme reviewed for model clarity, delivery and impact.
- Validated. Included in the CII Foundation's Compendium on Rural Development, 2026.
- Safe and trauma-informed. Staff trained in trauma-sensitive practice; a Child Safeguarding Policy for our work with children under 18.
Help a young woman choose her future.
Your gift pays for training, materials, stipends and psycho-social support. Eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G.
From the studio
Follow the makers, new pieces and events as they happen.
