When a father's peace of mind means so much

Happy Diwali from all of us at Project Help India! 🪔

As families across India and around the world celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful time together.

May the light of Diwali bring peace to your hearts, warmth and happiness to your homes, and renewed hope for the days ahead. And may we all be reminded of the difference a little kindness and compassion can make in someone else's life.

And now, here's your Sunday Good News Story!

This week, we're sharing a story that reminds us how compassion can touch lives in ways we don't always see.

It's about a young boy who's thriving in the safe, caring environment of one of our PHI Education Centres. But it's also about something just as important: the peace of mind this brings to his father, a hardworking man struggling with ill health, who wants nothing more than to see his two young sons grow up safely, make good choices and have opportunities for a better future.

Sometimes the difference we make in a child's life reaches much further than we realise.

“I am very proud of my son, Dev”

My name isn't important, but I would like to tell you about my son, Dev.

He is 12 years old, and I am very proud of him.

Dev loves going to school. He especially enjoys Mathematics and English, and he likes drawing and Art too.

Since he started attending the Project Help India Centre in July this year, he has hardly missed a day. He arrives on time, works hard and does everything his teacher asks him to do.

But what makes me particularly proud is that Dev is becoming a boy who looks out for others.

Shashila tells us that he helps her at the centre and takes care of the younger children.

As a father, that means a lot to me. Of course I want my son to do well in his studies, but I also want him to grow up to be a good person, someone who cares about others.

And I can already see that happening.

When you want to provide, but life gets difficult

Our family has lived in a rented home in Kashi Rampur Talla . This is a transient area, many families come and go. But we've been here for about 25 years. I have seen many changes in this community

I work as a mason. It's hard, physical work, but it's how I provide for my family.

Unfortunately, I've been suffering from a lung infection, and I'm receiving treatment.

It's made things very difficult.

When you're unwell and can't find regular work, you worry about how you're going to manage. There are the everyday costs of looking after your family, and then there are the medical expenses.

Like any father, I want my children to have opportunities in life. I want them to learn, to grow up with confidence and to have choices about their future.

But we simply cannot afford to pay for extra tuition.

So when we heard that Project Help India was providing free education for children in our community, we decided to enrol both our boys.

And I'm so glad we did.

Knowing my children are in good hands

One of the greatest comforts for me is knowing that Dev has somewhere good to go each day.

Somewhere he is welcomed.

Somewhere Shashila knows him, encourages him and takes an interest in how he's getting on.

Somewhere he can enjoy learning and be with other children.

When you're struggling with your own health and worrying about providing for your family, it means so much to know your children are being looked after.

I know Dev is learning his Mathematics and English and his grades are improving. I know he's enjoying his Art. And I know he's growing in confidence.

But it's more than that.

He's learning to be responsible. He's helping Shashila. He's looking after the little ones.

There's another thing that worries me as a father. Some of the boys in our neighbourhood are getting caught up in drugs and other trouble on the streets. I don't want that life for my sons.

Knowing Dev and his brother have somewhere safe to go, where they're learning, making friends and being encouraged by Shashila, is a huge relief to me. They're spending their time doing something positive, rather than being drawn into trouble, drugs and gangs.

And when I see how Dev is growing in confidence and helping the younger children, I feel even more proud of him.

I'm proud of the boy he is, and I'm excited about the young man he might become.

We are very grateful to Project Help India and to the teachers who give their time and care to our children.

I may not be able to give my boys everything I would like to give them.

But knowing they have this opportunity means more to me than I can say.

Our Slum Centre is where Project Help India began, back in 2010.

Over the years, we've come to know this community well, and they've come to know and trust us.

And that trust has been built through much more than education.

About 15 years ago, our Directors, Amit and Daisy, worked closely with local families to bring an end to a deeply troubling annual practice in which some children were deliberately injured as part of a traditional sacrificial ritual. Through patient conversations, counselling and education, they helped the community recognise the harm being done and move away from the practice. It was an important breakthrough for the safety and wellbeing of local children, and one that Amit and Daisy worked hard to achieve.

During the COVID lockdowns, when the community was effectively cut off from the rest of Kotdwara, PHI was their only source of food and medical support.

We've also stood alongside these families during devastating monsoon floods, when many homes were washed away.

And we've worked to help families secure recognised addresses, something most of us probably take for granted, but which can make such a difference when you're trying to access essential services.

So when Dev's parents heard that PHI could help their boys with their education, they were coming to an organisation that had been part of their community for many years.

A bright face and a caring heart

When I look at Dev's photograph, I see a bright, happy-looking 12-year-old boy.

But knowing a little of his family's circumstances makes that smile mean even more to me.

His father is unwell. Money is tight. Life isn't easy.

Yet here's a boy who loves learning, turns up on time, works hard and is already helping to care for younger children.

And behind him is Shashila, a teacher who takes an interest in him, encourages him and helps provide the safe, caring environment every child deserves. This is what I love about our PHI Education Centres. Of course, we want children to learn to read, write and do their Mathematics. We want them to pass exams and have opportunities for further education. But we also want them to feel safe, valued and encouraged.

We want them to discover what they're good at, grow in confidence and learn to care for others.

And for parents like Dev's father, who are carrying worries most of us will never fully understand, knowing their children are in good hands can bring a little peace of mind.

Thank you for caring

To our wonderful PHI teachers, thank you for the love, patience and encouragement you give these children every day.

And to our friends and supporters, thank you for making it possible for children like Dev and his brother to have a place where they can learn, grow and feel cared for.

Sometimes the difference we make isn't measured only by exam results or school grades.

Sometimes it's seen in the bright face of a 12-year-old boy who loves going to his PHI Centre, helps his teacher and looks after the younger kids.

And sometimes it's felt in the heart of a father who can say, with gratitude and pride:

“I am so proud of my son, Dev.”

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

When a Grandmother's Love Changes Everything

A little good news for your Sunday

Last Sunday was Grandparents Day here in New South Wales, Australia, and I've been thinking about the special place grandparents hold in so many families.

For some children, grandparents mean holidays, treats, stories and a little extra spoiling.

But for others, a grandparent's love can mean something much more. It can mean a roof over their heads, food on the table, a safe place to sleep and the chance to begin again.

And often, it comes at a real cost to grandparents, who make so many sacrifices themselves.

Alshifa's Story

This week, I'd like to introduce you to Alshifa, an older teenage girl at our Project Help India City Centre in Kotdwara, Northern India.

Her story has really impacted me, perhaps because I'm a grandparent myself, but particularly because of what her grandmother did when everything seemed to be falling apart.

When there was nowhere left to go

Alshifa grew up with her parents, her younger sister Tasbia and her brother in a village near Dhampur, in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. It's in the plains south of the Himalayan foothills.

Life was already difficult. Her mother, Nazia Parveen, struggled to keep the family going while her father, Shakeel, battled alcohol addiction.

As his addiction worsened, he sold everything the family had, including the family home.

The family was left on the street, with nowhere to live.

It's hard to imagine what that must have meant for Alshifa and her younger siblings. The uncertainty, the disruption to their schooling, and the loss of the security every child needs.

But when Alshifa's Nani, her maternal grandmother, and Mama, her maternal uncle, heard what had happened, they stepped in.

They brought the children to the city of Kotdwara, where Project Help India is based, and took them into their own home.

And when you hear how small their home is, you realise just how much they've taken on.

Their home is very small, and the whole family shares the same sleeping space. There was no spare bedroom waiting for the children. No comfortable extra space. Just a grandmother and uncle willing to make room for three more young lives.

I don't know about you, but that really gets to me.

They also made sure the children were enrolled in a local government school. They didn't have much to offer materially, but they were determined to give these kids a chance.

A chance to catch up and hold her head high

There's another part of Alshifa's story that I think is important.

Although she's an older teenager, Alshifa is studying at 5th Standard level.

Now, that doesn't mean Alshifa isn't bright or capable. Far from it! She's simply missed out on years of schooling through no fault of her own.

Here's the problem. In India's school system, children generally have to work their way through each academic level. So when a child misses years of schooling, they can end up in a classroom with children much younger than themselves.

Imagine how this kid would be feeling, especially after everything Alshifa has been through.

And in government schools where classes can have 50 or more students, teachers are often stretched to their limits. Even the most dedicated teacher may struggle to give a child like Alshifa the individual attention she needs.

That's one of the reasons our PHI Education Centres are so important.

When Alshifa's grandmother and uncle heard about Project Help India, they reached out to ask for our help and support.

At our PHI Centre, nobody is judging Alshifa because she's older than the other kids at her school level. Our teachers just want to help her catch up and do well.

They can spend time with her individually, help her prepare for exams and encourage her when things get difficult.

It's not just about passing exams. It's about helping Alshifa get her confidence back and feel good about herself again - especially after everything she’s been through.

And she's doing incredibly well.

Our team tells us that Alshifa is a happy, conscientious student who has made wonderful progress in her studies.

And the best part? She's growing in confidence and starting to believe in herself again.

Love, encouragement and a little room to grow

Rowena and I visited our PHI centres in February, and one of the things that always strikes us is the difference personal attention makes.

A teacher sitting beside a child who is struggling. A word of encouragement. The patience to explain something again. Belief in her abilities. The happiness of a student who suddenly realises, I can do this!

It's amazing what a bit of time, patience and encouragement can do for a kid who's had a tough start in life.

Looking at the photographs of Alshifa concentrating on her schoolwork, I think about the different people who have helped her get to this point.

Her grandmother and uncle, who opened their home when the children had nowhere else to go.

Her teachers, who are helping her make up lost ground.

And Alshifa herself, who is working hard and making the most of the opportunity she's been given.

Her grandmother couldn't change everything that had happened to the family. But she could open her door, make room in her home and give those children a fresh start.

And look at the difference it's already making for Alshifa!

Thank you for being part of her story

To all our friends and supporters, thank you.

Because of you, we can give children like Alshifa the extra help they need, while supporting families who are already doing so much with so little.

A message to all the Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles

And finally, to all the grandparents, aunties, uncles and extended family members who do so much for the children in their lives, please don't ever underestimate the difference you're making. Sometimes it might feel thankless, and you may wonder whether anyone notices. But those kids need you and they are watching, listening and learning from you. You're helping shape who they become, how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.

So please keep going. What you do really does matter.

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

Our Shaheen Is Getting Married ❤️

A little good news for your Sunday

With so much difficult news in the world, it's lovely to be able to share something genuinely happy.

Our Shaheen is getting married!

When Rowena and I last visited our Project Help India Disability Centre in February, Shaheen had something very special she wanted to show us. She proudly held up her phone and played a video of her husband-to-be, Mujjakir, playing a traditional Indian musical instrument. The excitement on her face was wonderful to see!

A very special young woman

We've known Shaheen for many years. In fact, she's been attending our Disability Centre since it opened about ten years ago. If my memory serves me correctly, she's now about 23 years old.

Shaheen grew up in a large Muslim family in the Kotdwara slum area. She is one of eight children—four sisters and four brothers. Her father works as a labourer, while her mother cares for the family at home. With so many mouths to feed and very limited income, life has not been easy. The family also faces the additional challenges of supporting one of Shaheen's older brothers, who has a disability affecting his leg.

Shaheen has been unable to hear or speak since childhood. Her parents worried deeply about what opportunities and future might be possible for their daughter. Although Shaheen studied up to Class 8, continuing her formal education proved extremely difficult. Like many children with disabilities in this part of India, she faced barriers to enrolment. Despite years of advocacy by our PHI team, school administrators continued to say they didn't have the resources to meet her needs.

When her family discovered Project Help India and enrolled her at our Disability Centre, it brought them renewed hope. Shaheen found a place where she belonged, and where she could flourish.

Over the years, she's made wonderful progress in her academic learning and developed skills in sewing and embroidery, becoming so accomplished that she now makes beautiful outfits, including the one she's wearing in one of our photographs. And here's another wonderful part of her story. Shaheen will take these skills with her to her new home and community, where she hopes to establish her own sewing business. We pray for her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter, using the skills she's worked so hard to develop.

But it's her gentle, caring nature that has made her especially loved.

Shaheen is always looking out for the other students, patiently helping those who need a little extra support. She's also become something of an unofficial second teacher's assistant, happily lending a hand wherever she can.

She's not just a student. She's part of the heart of the centre.

For many of our older students, the centre is much more than a place of learning. It's their home away from home, their family and their safe place. They continue coming, whatever their age, until a new chapter of life takes them elsewhere.

And we're all going to miss Shaheen.

A new chapter

Like many marriages in this part of India, Shaheen's marriage has been arranged. Mujjakir, her husband-to-be, also has communication disabilities and works as a barber in Najibabad, approximately 80 kilometres away.

When Shaheen showed us his video in February, there was such pride and happiness in that moment.

I find myself thinking about how different her journey might have been without the Disability Centre.

Here is a young woman who faced significant barriers to formal education, yet has grown into someone skilled, capable, confident and deeply caring towards others.

And now she's looking forward to married life.

We couldn't be happier for her.

A wedding gift from her Project Help India family

Shaheen has been part of our PHI family for about ten years, and we'd love to celebrate this special occasion with her.

Would you like to help us give Shaheen a wedding gift?

All the students who attend our centres come from families experiencing extreme poverty. As Shaheen and Mujjakir prepare to begin married life, a practical gift could make a particularly meaningful difference -helping them establish their new home and giving them a little head start together.

We're inviting our friends and supporters to contribute a small amount towards one collective wedding gift from her PHI family.

Whether it's $5, $20 or whatever you feel comfortable giving, every contribution will become part of something special. Once we know how much has been raised, our PHI team will choose a suitable gift for Shaheen and Mujjakir. To do so, you make make your gift by clicking the pink DONATE button above.

Thank you for helping us celebrate a young woman who has brought so much warmth, kindness and joy to our Project Help India family.

And please share Shaheen's happy news with someone who could use a little good news this Sunday.

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

A Big Win for a Small Village

A little good news for your Sunday

Sometimes good news comes in the form of a very proud 15-year-old boy holding an enormous trophy!

Meet Imran, from Kadarganj, a small, isolated village in Northern India, home to just 30 families.

And this week, there's something wonderful to celebrate.

First place!

On 5 October, Imran won first place in a drawing competition held at Sneh School as part of Wildlife Week 2026. For many, this does not seem like big news, but for Village Kadarganj - this is HUGE!

Imran’s achievement was recognised at the Kotdwar Range Office, where he received a beautiful award in the presence of senior forest officials and local dignitaries.

Imagine his excitement!

And imagine the delight of his father, Shera, when he received the phone call telling him his son had won.

But what I particularly love is the photograph of Imran surrounded by the other children from our PHI Kadarganj Education Centre.

Just look at those faces!

Kadarganj is a close-knit community of around 30 families - almost like one big family. And I suspect this is the kind of achievement many of these families have rarely had the opportunity to celebrate.

More than a drawing competition

For generations, education has been difficult to access in communities like Kadarganj. Many of today's children are among the first in their families to receive an education.

The village is very isolated, and most children must walk 8 kilometres each way to and from school, along a road through the jungle. It's a long journey, and one that can be dangerous because of encounters with wildlife. Sadly, there are also particular safety concerns for girls making this journey - which is why many village girls do not attend the local school.

During the monsoon season, flooded roads and a difficult river crossing can make the journey impossible, preventing children from reaching Sneh School for extended periods.

That's one reason our PHI Education Centre is so important - the children are so proud of this place!

Our centres aren't intended to replace formal schooling. They help children discover a love of learning, encourage school enrolment and provide ongoing support when attending school becomes difficult.

Over the past ten years, we've seen a wonderful change in parents' attitudes towards education. Where families were once hesitant about sending their children to school, more parents are now recognising the opportunities education can bring and encouraging their children to attend.

And perhaps one of the loveliest signs of that change is seeing a whole community celebrate the achievements of a young person like Imran.

Imran attends both Sneh School and our centre.

His father proudly credits the PHI centre for helping his son achieve this success. And Imran himself thanked Project Help India for inspiring him to attend school and continue learning.

A little village with big dreams

One boy. One drawing. One very proud father.

And a whole community with another reason to believe in what their children can achieve.

Congratulations, Imran! We're proud of you too.

You make stories like Imran's possible

To everyone supporting Project Help India—thank you.

Your kindness helps children in isolated communities discover opportunities that previous generations may never have enjoyed.

Not every gift changes the whole world. But it can help change someone's world.

You can make a one-off or monthly tax-deductible $AUD donation by clicking the pink DONATE tab at the top of this page

And please share Imran's story with someone who could use a little good news this Sunday.

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

Satyam’s Dream for His Mother

This is where the magic happens for Satyam! A place to learn, make friends, dream big and discover what his future might hold.

A little good news for your Sunday

With so much difficult news in the world, it's lovely to be reminded that good things are happening too.

Sometimes it's a small act of kindness, an opportunity to learn, or a child beginning to dream about a different future.

That's why we share our Sunday Good News Stories—a little hope and encouragement to carry into the week ahead.

And this week, I'd like you to meet Satyam.

A boy with a big dream

What does a 12-year-old boy dream about?

Perhaps becoming a famous cricketer, travelling the world, or having an exciting career.

But Satyam, a young boy from a slum community in Bijnor, Northern India, has a dream that's especially close to his heart.

He wants to give his mum a better life.

Satyam's father has passed away, leaving his mother, Ram Kali, to care for their five children. She works in other people's homes to support her family.

Life isn't easy, but Satyam has been thinking about his future -and his mum's.

He wants to study, find his purpose and one day earn enough to support his family, so his mother won't have to work so hard.

That's quite a dream for a 12-year-old.

Somewhere to begin

During our visit to India in February, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting our Project Help India Bijnor Education Centre, where we briefly met Satyam.

He's now attending the centre, enjoying his learning and looking ahead with hope.

His bigger dream may still be some years away. There's a lot of growing and learning still to come.

But perhaps, for his mum, part of that dream is already coming true.

Seeing her son enjoying his education, growing in confidence and dreaming of a better future for their family - what joy and delight this must bring to her!

I can only imagine how much it means to Ram Kali, knowing that her son is not only thinking about his own future, but hers too.

At Project Help India, we believe education can open doors not just for a child, but eventually for their family and community too.

Sometimes a child's biggest dream isn't just about what they want to become.

It's about what they hope to make possible for the people they love.

You make stories like Satyam's possible

To everyone who supports Project Help India—thank you.

Your kindness helps children like Satyam learn, grow and discover new possibilities.

Not every gift changes the whole world. But it can help change someone's world.

You can make a one-off or monthly tax-deductible donation by clicking the pink DONATE button at the top of this page.

And please share Satyam's story with someone who might appreciate a little good news this Sunday.

As you head into the week, never underestimate the difference a little kindness and encouragement can make.

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

Nawab Has Caught the Dream

A little good news for your Sunday

There is plenty happening in our world that can make the news feel a little heavy.

But quietly, often in places far from our own lives, good things are happening too. Someone reaches out. A child is encouraged. An opportunity opens a door. Hope begins to take hold.

That’s what our Sunday Good News Stories are about.

One small, true story each week to remind us that kindness matters, hope is powerful, and sometimes the smallest steps can have a much bigger purpose.

This week, I’d like you to meet Nawab.

I remember this boy

Earlier this year, in February, my wife and I (Doug) travelled to India and had the privilege of visiting each one of our 14 Project Help India centres across Northern India, spending time with the children, their families and our wonderful teachers and staff.

One of those visits took us to our Ferozepur Slum Education Centre.

Although the word centre might give you the wrong picture.

That afternoon, the classroom was a large groundsheet spread beside the road, on the edge of the slum. Children gathered with their schoolbags, shoes scattered neatly around the edge. There were lessons and laughter, friends chatting, children showing us their work - and, quite a bit of excitement when some chocolate appeared!

It was wonderfully ordinary childhood.

And among those children was a boy I remember particularly well.

Thirteen-year-old Nawab.

He was respectful, eager to learn and took his studies very seriously. He delighted in showing me his schoolwork. When I praised him and handed him a few stickers, the pride on his face was priceless.

But there was a cheeky streak too! Around his friends I saw another Nawab emerge, and I had the distinct impression some of the other children looked up to him.

So when a recent report from our team in India landed on my desk, his name immediately jumped out at me.

I knew this boy.

And I couldn’t wait to discover how he was getting on.

The news was very good.

Nawab nearly lost something precious

What I hadn’t fully appreciated when I met Nawab was how easily his life might have taken a different direction.

His father, Shankar, collects scrap to support his family. Nawab began accompanying him and saw that there was money to be earned.

For a 13-year-old growing up in poverty, that immediate reward was understandably attractive.

He started working more often. Gradually, school became less important. His attendance dropped and his studies suffered.

His parents wanted him to continue his education—but poverty has a way of narrowing a family’s choices.

Then Nawab’s mum stepped in.

Worried about her son, she approached Asha, our PHI teacher.

Asha asked her to bring Nawab to the centre.

Just once.

And when he came, something beautifully simple happened.

The other children welcomed him warmly.

He joined in. He participated in the activities. He made friends. He discovered that he liked being there.

Then Nawab came back.

And kept coming back.

Eventually he began attending the centre on his own and returned to formal school. He had fallen behind and had forgotten some of what he’d previously learned, but with encouragement and consistent support, his studies began improving.

And the latest report from Saleem?

Nawab continues to attend both school and our PHI Education Centre regularly, and he’s making good progress.

That’s good news worth sharing.

Because a child should have the chance to be a child

Looking again at my photographs from February, this is what strikes me.

I see children sitting together on a mat beside the road. Schoolbags. Friends. Laughter. Learning. A little mischief. Chocolate.

Childhood.

And that’s part of what we are trying to protect.

At PHI, we work strategically with local police and other agencies to support children involved in child labour, helping them access education and greater opportunities for their future.

This is just one part of PHI’s wider work advocating for vulnerable children and helping protect them from exploitation and human trafficking. If you’d like to understand more about this important work, you can read our recently published Child Advocacy & Anti-Human Trafficking report.

Click here to read the full report — “CHILD ADVOCACY & ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Protecting Children. Restoring Dignity. Strengthening Communities.”

We also work collaboratively to protect vulnerable children and families from organised criminal networks that seek to exploit poverty and desperation.

But we never stand in judgement of struggling parents.

We stand alongside them.

That became very real to me during our visit. I had the opportunity to sit and talk with many of the parents from this community, and something struck me.

Many of them were still so young themselves.

Young mums and dads carrying the responsibility of raising children while navigating poverty, insecure work and circumstances that often leave them with very few choices.

It reminded me that vulnerability doesn’t suddenly disappear when someone becomes a parent. These parents love their children and want something better for them, but many are trying to create that “something better” while facing enormous challenges of their own.

Nawab’s family is a good example. His father works hard collecting scrap to support his family, while his mother was concerned enough about her son’s education to seek help from Asha.

The problem isn’t a family doing what it can to survive.

The problem is when poverty begins deciding a child’s future.

I think Nawab has caught the dream

And that’s why I keep thinking about the boy who proudly showed me his schoolwork.

Knowing his story now, those moments mean even more.

Perhaps Nawab understands that education isn’t something to take for granted.

Perhaps he’s beginning to see that his future can be bigger than the circumstances surrounding him today.

I don’t know where Nawab’s education will eventually take him. None of us does.

But I think Nawab has caught the dream.

And judging by the latest report from our team, he’s holding onto it.

One concerned mum.
One teacher who reached out.
One warm welcome from some other children.
One boy who decided to come back.

Small steps. Big purpose.

You make stories like Nawab’s possible

To everyone who supports Project Help India - thank you.

Your generosity helps keep our education centres open and teachers like Asha present in vulnerable communities. It gives children like Nawab somewhere to learn, a nutritious meal, friendships, encouragement and, perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to imagine a different future.

Not every gift changes the whole world. But it can help change someone’s world.

You can make a one-off or monthly tax-deductible donation by clicking the DONATION tab at the top of this page.

And please share Nawab’s story. Send this little bit of good news to someone who might like some cheering up this Sunday.

As you head into the week ahead, perhaps his story can remind us all:

Never underestimate the impact you can have in someone else’s life.

Reach out with kindness. Encourage someone. Believe in their future.

Sometimes changing a community begins right there.

#SmallStepsBigPurpose

The Gang Who Discovered School

There is plenty in our world that can weigh heavily on us. But sometimes, in the most unexpected and far-away places, something quietly wonderful is happening.

A child is given an opportunity. Someone reaches out with kindness. A little hope takes hold ...and life begins to move in a different direction.

That’s why we’re beginning the Project Help India Sunday Good News Stories.

Each Sunday, we’ll share a short, true story from the communities where Project Help India works - a small but powerful reminder that kindness matters, lives can change, and there is always hope to be found.

We hope these stories bring a smile to your Sunday and a little encouragement to carry into the week ahead.

And for our very first story, we’d like you to meet a rather special little gang...

Meet the gang

Pankaj, Dhiraj, Rohan, Deepali, Vaishnavi, Madhuri, Bharti and Dolly.

They were quite a little gang ...growing up together in the remote tribal village of Bagnala in northern India, their days were spent playing marbles, getting into mischief and, at times, gambling. Their language was very “colourful”, personal hygiene wasn’t much of a priority—and school certainly wasn’t!

But behind all this mischief was a much bigger story.

Bagnala is a small, isolated village in Northern India where Project Help India has been working alongside the community for around 14 years. There is no school in the village. Poverty is a daily reality for many families and, for generations, education simply wasn’t an opportunity available to their children. These eight children had little reason to imagine school—let alone a lifetime of education—as part of their future.

Then, last year, the gang came to our Project Help India Education Centre.

For three hours each day, they found a place to learn, a placed where they were safe and 'belonged'. They received a nutritious meal. And perhaps most importantly, they found teachers who cared about them, encouraged them and believed they were capable of more.

Slowly, something began to change.

The gambling stopped. The constant swearing disappeared. They began taking pride in themselves, in their appearance, and in their achievements.

But something much more important was happening.

A little spark for learning had been lit.

Today, all eight children have been enrolled at our school.

And the really lovely news?

They happily go to school every day.

They still come to the PHI Education Centre too - learning, sharing a meal and being encouraged to keep going.

And just look at these smiles.​Their story is far from finished. We don’t know where education will eventually take Pankaj, Dhiraj, Rohan, Deepali, Vaishnavi, Madhuri, Bharti and Dolly.

But we can hope.

We can believe in them.

And we can keep giving them opportunities to discover just how much might be possible.

Small steps. Big purpose.

At Project Help India, we often use the words #SmallStepsBigPurpose.

This is exactly what we mean.

Eight children getting up and going happily to school might seem like a very ordinary thing.

In Bagnala, it is anything but ordinary. After 14 years of walking alongside this community, we are seeing something beautiful beginning to happen. A new generation of young parents has grown up seeing - and, in some cases, experiencing for themselves - the difference education can make.

Children who once had little or no access to education are learning.

Parents are beginning to see new possibilities for their children.

And eight mischievous little members of “the gang” are happily heading off to school.

Small steps? Perhaps.

But imagine where they might lead.

This is how we hope generational transformation begins: one child, one opportunity, one family at a time.

You helped make this possible

To everyone who supports Project Help India - thank you.

Stories like this are possible because people choose to care. Your generosity helps us keep our education centres open, teachers teaching, meals being served and children learning. 

Please don’t underestimate what even the smallest donation can make possible in someone’s life.

What may seem like a modest gift from our side of the world can become a meal, time with a teacher, learning materials, encouragement - or an opportunity for a child to take those first steps towards an education.

Not every gift changes the whole world. But it can help change someone’s world.

Sometimes changing a community begins just like this: reaching out with kindness, believing in a child’s future, and helping them discover their purpose.

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Thank you for being part of these stories, for believing in these children, and for helping make their next small step possible.

SHOWING UP IN AUGUST: Friendship, Courage and Community in Action

Sometimes friendship is found in the simplest of moments. Two young friends in Zira, Punjab, remind us that kindness, connection and caring for one another are where stronger communities begin. There is a special happiness in sharing life together — learning, laughing, encouraging one another and knowing that we belong. These simple bonds of friendship can help shape children who grow to care for others and contribute to their communities.

Showing Up for One Another

Sometimes the most meaningful change begins simply by showing up for one another. Across August, we saw this expressed in many different ways: children learning about friendship and citizenship, teachers helping protect vulnerable young people, women developing skills and independence, and our teams continuing to serve through monsoon rains and seasonal illness. Together, these stories reflect our mission to bring love, hope, dignity and purpose — and remind us that lasting change is built through thousands of everyday moments.

Friendship that builds stronger communities

International Friendship Day brought plenty of colour and laughter to our Education Centres as children made friendship cards and bands and explored what it means to be a true friend.

At our Zira Centre, students took this further through role-play, exploring how friendships and the choices we make can influence our lives. It was a simple but important lesson in kindness, honesty, respect and supporting one another — values that reach well beyond the classroom.

Advocacy is prevention

Protecting children begins with knowledge.

Our Zira team recently trained teachers in child protection, children’s rights and human trafficking awareness, equipping them to take age-appropriate safety education back into our Education Centres.

Through posters, discussion and role-play, children learned about personal boundaries, recognising potentially unsafe situations and, importantly, speaking with a trusted adult when something feels wrong.

This is only the beginning. We plan to extend these workshops to parents, community members and local leaders, because informed adults, confident children and engaged communities together create stronger layers of protection.

Celebrating India — and good citizenship

August 15 is one of the most important days on India’s calendar, and Independence Day was enthusiastically celebrated across our centres with flag raising, the national anthem, cultural activities, games and, of course, sweets!

Beyond the celebrations is an important lesson. We encourage our children to understand that being a good citizen means respecting India’s extraordinary diversity, living peacefully with others and contributing to the greater good of their communities and nation.

Skills that create opportunity

There was also plenty to celebrate at our Tailoring Centres in Kotdwara and Zira. Young women proudly displayed garments they had designed and made themselves.

Our six-month tailoring program provides vulnerable women with practical skills that can become a pathway towards earning an income or establishing a small business — building confidence, dignity and greater independence along the way.

Through the monsoon

Heavy monsoon rains and flooded or damaged roads made getting to class difficult for some children during August, affecting attendance. We are especially grateful, however, that our communities experienced less serious damage and fewer associated health problems than in some previous monsoon seasons.

As one season ends, another challenge begins

As August ended, our teams began seeing significant influenza, viral fever and dengue illness affecting children and communities around us. Vulnerable and undernourished communities can face particular challenges when illness spreads, making our ongoing work in nutrition, hygiene education and practical support especially important.

And so we keep showing up.

Thank you

To our approximately 30 staff across three states of India, our volunteers, and our generous Australian and international supporters and friends: thank you. None of these stories happens in isolation. Together, you make this everyday work possible.

If you would like to help us continue bringing education, nutrition, health, protection and opportunity into vulnerable communities, we warmly invite you to continue standing with Project Help India. Your support helps us keep showing up — where and when it matters.

Knowledge helps protect: One of our students shares what she has learned about personal safety — recognising danger, being cautious with strangers and knowing when to seek help from a trusted adult.