Mom Develops Safety Curriculum for 60000 Kids
Empowering Children Through Safety Education: The Story of Hapchi
Children possess an innate magic - their laughter, unending curiosity, and candid questions. Yet, beneath this charm often lies a harsh reality: many children lack the tools and guidance to express emotions and protect themselves effectively. This realization struck Dr. Kanika Sharma during a simple conversation with her son about "good touch, bad touch," leading her to pioneer an innovative initiative for child safety and mental well-being.
A Personal Journey to Transforming Child Safety
Dr. Kanika's journey towards founding Hapchi started long before her entrepreneurial endeavors. Raised in a traditional family, she initially followed a path in medicine and healthcare management. However, the birth of her own child reignited a desire to make a broader impact, sparking an exploration into child safety education in India.
She discovered a significant gap in how safety, especially body safety, was taught to children. Driven by this disparity, she authored a series of children's books to foster awareness in a child-centric manner. Recognizing the limitations of sporadic workshops, she envisioned a structured system embedded in schools to instill lasting change.
Revolutionizing Child Safety: The Birth of Hapchi
In 2021, Hapchi emerged as a specialized organization dedicated to child safety, life skills, and mental well-being. Unlike conventional workshops, Hapchi offers comprehensive year-long programs in schools supported by digital tools for effective tracking and implementation. The flagship program, HapSafe, introduces a progressive curriculum spanning abuse prevention, emotional resilience, online safety, and more, empowering children with practical skills for real-world scenarios.
Transforming Schools with HapSafe
HapSafe has significantly impacted schools like New Horizon Gurukul, enhancing student well-being through structured class-wise discussions on critical topics like body safety and emotional awareness. The program not only fosters openness among children but also equips educators and parents with valuable insights to support students effectively.
Beyond the Classroom: Introducing HapSmart
Looking to ensure ongoing support beyond school premises, Dr. Kanika launched HapSmart in 2025, a pioneering SaaS platform focusing on prevention-led child safety and well-being. This platform integrates with schools, providing personalized reports, expert-curated content, and a chatbot for age-appropriate guidance to students and parents, facilitating a holistic approach to safety education.
Impact and Growth of Hapchi
Since its inception, Hapchi has collaborated with numerous institutions, impacting over 60,000 students, 10,000 parents, and 5,000 educators. The organization's commitment to structured safety education has garnered increasing recognition and demand, with partner schools consistently renewing engagements.
A Visionary Future of Child Safety Education
Dr. Kanika envisions a society where child safety education is not taboo but a fundamental aspect of life skills training. Through Hapchi, she aspires to create a future where every child feels secure, valued, and empowered to voice their concerns freely, fostering a culture of safety and respect.
Schools interested in partnering with Hapchi can contact them via email, explore their website, or connect on LinkedIn for more information. As HapSmart evolves, parents can anticipate a dedicated app for direct access to child safety resources by June 2026.
All images courtesy Dr. Kanika Sharma
Source: The Better India