EMW-CEF: 2025 Year in Review

By Naraindra Prashad, President, EMW-CEF

January 13, 2026 — As we reach the end of the first year of operation for East Meets West – Children’s Education Fund (EMW-CEF), it is the perfect moment to reflect on our achievements and look ahead to the future. 2025 has been a tremendous success and truly a cause for celebration.

Celebrating our impact 

The progress we’ve made would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers, and the leadership of our committed board members. The numbers tell a powerful story: nearly $37,000 raised from more than 100 donors through the tireless work of volunteers and board members, amounting to an impressive total of nearly 2,000 hours. In this blog, we share the stories and context behind the numbers. 

Key milestones 

A significant milestone occurred on February 25, 2025, when EMW-CEF was officially granted charity status by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This status was granted for two charitable purposes: supporting children in need through scholarships and bursaries, and providing school aid. 

Our commitment to compliance 

CRA regulations are stringent—your tax-receipted donations can only be used by our international partners, or “intermediaries,” for these two specific purposes. Our partners include JBPS (Jyotirgyan Bhavan Paropakari Samaj), Khushi Charitable Society, and Oaks of Righteousness. The term “intermediaries” may seem unusual, but it is essential in the context of CRA requirements. 

Our relationships with these international charities are governed by rigorous agreements. Detailed contracts outline each party’s obligations, and our intermediaries are required to provide regular updates and comprehensive reports, including purchase receipts, photos and budgets. Charitable status is a privilege, not a right, and EMW-CEF is subject to audit by the CRA at any time. Adhering to the CRA’s rules remains a top priority for the EMW-CEF Board. 

Direct impact: scholarships for students 

In April 2025, five outstanding students from Khushi Charitable Society received scholarships to continue their education. In India, government support for education ends at grade six. Without the CEF scholarships, these students would not have been able to pursue their studies further. 

What we’ve learned and our vision 

EMW-CEF envisions a world where every child, regardless of their background or country, is equipped with the tools to succeed. Our vision is to foster a future enriched by learning—where education inspires curiosity, health strengthens children, and nourishment fuels dreams and limitless opportunities. 

Early on, we realized that the two charitable purposes permitted by the CRA are too narrow for our broader vision. We aspire to support children and students with after-school programs that include food, shelter, health care, and medical care. Consequently, we are in the process of requesting permission from the CRA to expand our mandate. We will keep you updated on our progress.