Happy Father's Day - The Power of a Dad

Here’s a great idea for your last minute gift for your dad this Fathers’ Day

It’s Father’s Day in Australia

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities.

At Project Help we especially count it our privilege to care for the poorest of the poor, helping dads who are doing their best, under difficult circumstances and few resources available to them. We see the good in so many men, who despite the poverty of their circumstances, work hard and never stop making personal sacrifices for their children. They dream for their children and are determined to provide for their family. We often see a stoic, brave smile that masks pain, shame and a lack of dignity because they cannot meet their family needs.

WE LOVE YOU DAD Campaign

The goal of our campaign is to raise $5000 to;

help dads to help their kids

help kids who don’t have dads

You can read the story of some of the kids and dads who we are helping by scrolling through our recent blogs. These stories will help you to understand where/how your donation will be used.

CAN YOU HELP?

if so, please make your donation by clicking the DONATE box at the top of this page.

Thank you

Naman - great sadness for his father's sickness

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. It’s especially not easy when you don’t have a dad to care for you and the family.

This Fathers’ Day it is our privilege to share a few of the stories of some of the beautiful students who attend our education centres. We love these kids supporting not only their learning, but caring and providing for their health and wellbeing with a daily meal, counselling and emotional support as they face some very difficult circumstances - which are compounded by the poverty that impacts them daily.

Naman juggles his studies and helping his mother, while his dad can no longer work due to a spinal tumour. The circumstances of this family are incredibly difficult with poverty knocking on their door daily. The Project Help team keep a loving eye on this kid, making sure that his physical and emotional needs are met, as much as possible.

Naman’s Story

14 year old Naman is one of our many students, who despite adversities, is making his father proud. Naman is an only child his mother's name is Mrs. Rajni Devi and his father's name is Mr. Dushyant. Naman is a diligent student who has been studying at our City Centre for a year.

Mr. Dushyant is a vendor who sells Indian street food (chat) on a handicart. Recently he was diagnosed with a tumour like disease in his spine, and since this time his health has deteriorated he cannot walk properly and is now unable to work. This has worsened their financial situation, as with no weekly earnings they have no money to spend for their survival.

Seeing his father's deteriorating health Naman assumed responsibility, and at one point he helped his father by walking him to his handicart to work, but his father still did not earn enough in this time. Naman’s school work suffered because of this.

When Naman began his schooling at our Project Help City Centre his marks increased expediently. Naman is a good learner, he enjoys learning new things, he enjoys dancing and art. Naman has said that he feels a lot of sadness around his father's sickness. Naman works hard in school and we look forward to seeing him achieve his dreams, and we know that he is making his father proud.

Farhan wants to be an army officer, and Sumaiya dreams of being a teacher

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. It’s especially not easy when you don’t have a dad to care for you and the family.

This Fathers’ Day it is our privilege to share a few of the stories of some of the beautiful students who attend our education centres. We love these kids supporting not only their learning, but caring and providing for their health and wellbeing with a daily meal, counselling and emotional support as they face some very difficult circumstances - which are compounded by the poverty that impacts them daily.

These 2 kids miss their dad, who recently was murdered by their uncle. They told us that he used to pick them up and drop them to school and he used to purchase dresses and toys for them.

Sumaiya and Farhan are siblings and students at our city centre school, in Grades 1 and 4. Their father's name was Mr. Shadab, he worked as a vendor selling goods. A year ago, he was horrifically murdered by his brother, a hammer was thrown to his head and he died instantly. Sumaiya and Farhan's mother Azmi has suffered, she was shaken by grief and loss. The death of her husband meant that she not only received no rights in her family but also no support, this worsened her family’s financial situation. Azmi works hard for her family and is working as a vendor selling ladies goods, but with this she does not receive enough money for her family's survival.

Sumaiya and Farhan have a younger sibling who has been diagnosed with a disease and is bed ridden, their home is small and there is not enough space for them all to sleep.

After the family tragedy Farhan and Sumaiya started attending school at Project Help. It was clear that they were grieving the loss of their father. They were quiet and reserved in their first days of classes. In counselling they expressed that they wished their father was still alive so that they could share their feelings with him. They told us that he used to pick them up and drop them to school and he used to purchase dresses and toys for them.

Since beginning school they have improved in their studies, they have said that staying at home and not going to school was dull and they did not have enough space to play. Since this time their learning has improved and they enjoy playing, dancing, singing, reading and writing. Farhan dreams of becoming an Army Officer as he would like to help his country and Sumaiya said she has been inspired by her teacher at Project Help and would like to become a teacher. We know that they have the potential to achieve their dreams, for a brighter future and for their father.

Meet 3 gorgeous kids who don't have a dad

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. It’s especially not easy when you don’t have a dad to care for you and the family.

This Fathers’ Day it is our privilege to share a few of the stories of some of the beautiful students who attend our education centres. We love these kids supporting not only their learning, but caring and providing for their health and wellbeing with a daily meal, counselling and emotional support as they face some very difficult circumstances - which are compounded by the poverty that impacts them daily.

These little kids have been dealt some really heavy blows. We are so proud of their efforts and hard work every day at school.

Himanshu, Lakshmi and Viman’s Story

Himanshu is 8 years old and is in 4th Class, Lakshmi is 6 years old and in 2nd Class. Both attend our Bijnor Education centre. Viman the youngest is 5 years old has not started school yet. These three kids have faced much tragedy and yet persevered despite their young ages and the hardship and poverty of their circumstances.

Their father Mr Monu passed away in 2017, he was a labourer and his body was found hanging from a tree close to their home. His friends discovered the body when they came to get him for work.

Mr Monu was the backbone of their family and they were reliant upon him for financial support. The children have spent time with a Project Help Counsellor, sharing about the love they had for their father and grief that came with his death. His death was a shock and they continue to be impacted to this very day. Although they were young at the time, they miss their father and have seen the grief and heartbreak their mother has had to endure since his death. Their mother Mrs. Anti is illiterate and has been labouring in order to afford food and the most basic of needs for their survival.

Himanshu and Lakshmi both want to be police officers when they grow up. Since beginning their studies they have developed new interests and have enjoyed playing with other children. Our staff have seen a great improvement in their studies, they are intelligent and we look forward to seeing their bright futures ahead. We know that their father would extremely proud of his children.

Meet some of the kids who attend our schools - Mariyam's story

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. It’s especially not easy when you don’t have a dad to care for you and the family.

This Fathers’ Day it is our privilege to share a few of the stories of some of the beautiful students who attend our education centres. We love these kids supporting not only their learning, but caring and providing for their health and wellbeing with a daily meal, counselling and emotional support as they face some very difficult circumstances - which are compounded by the poverty that impacts them daily.

2 years ago Mariyam’s father died due to heart disease. Through her hard work at school she now wants to honour her father by achieving her dreams and making him proud.

Meet Mariyam a 14-year-old, who studies at our City Centre School. Mariyam has 4 siblings, her father died of heart disease when she was just 12 years old and her mother Najmeen is struggling to care for her family. Mariyam's father used to sell vegetables and was the sole provider for the family. In India it is difficult for woman within rural communities to find employment due to a lack of education and opportunities. Najmeen begun to work as a maid for wealthier families but this has not been enough to care for her 5 children and without the support of the Project Help Education Centre it is unlikely that Mariyam would ever have had the opportunity to attend school and receive an education.

Mariyam has received counselling, she has told us that she misses her father. She has said that if he was still alive, he would have done anything for Mariyam and her siblings if they wanted ice cream, he would have purchased it. If she wanted a doll or a dress... He would have purchased it.

Mariyam has said that despite their financial position her father sacrificed everything for their family and only wanted to see his children happy.

Mariyam has great dreams and aspirations, now she wants to honour her father by achieving her dreams and making him proud. Since Mariyam joined our education centre she has enjoy exploring new passions and dreaming of the future. Her interest in her studies have increased and her teachers have said that she likes to ask them many questions. We look forward to seeing her bright future and we know that her father would be proud.

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 3) Sunjay - a passionate, persistent and inspiring father figure to many

Proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika, as well as a father figure to more than 500 children who would not have attended school if it wasn’t for his vision and determination for his community.

Project Help India seeks to bring about community change and generational transformation

Through a remarkable man, Sunjay, we see the power of this vision. We are especially delighted to give this update to our supporters, many of whom about 8 years ago, provided the financial support to help Sunjay with his law degree.

Sunjay’s Story

This story is about Sanjay, a teacher and leader within Project Help India. Sanjay's story is about struggle, hope, persistence and love. Sunjay grew up in a very remote village. He still lives here and married to Rahi who is also a teacher at the Village Kadarganj Project Help Education Centre. Sunjay is proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika. His dream for his daughter is that she will leave their small village so that she will be successful. 

Sunjay is a quietly spoken, humble and determined man. He does not like to be the centre of attention, yet he will repectfully speak his mind. It was in 2010 that Sunjay, having heard about Project Help’s work helping kids in the Kotdwara slums, he approached Amit Samuel (Project Help Director) asking him to consider bringing education to the remote jungle villages. Sunjay was persistent in his advocacy for the many children, who did not have access to any form of education. The following year in 2011, the first of now three Jungle village centres commenced. We now have 120+ children attending Project Help schools 5 days a week. Almost all of the children who have attended our schools over the past decade would not have attended school -certainly not the girls. Over these 10 years both Sunjay, and Rakhi have worked tirelessly with the parents to challenge their entrenched mindsets in believing that girls do not go to school. Through their wisdom, love and compassion they have assisted Project Help to develop village community programs including anti-trafficking awareness, drug and substance abuse education, and importantly women’s empowerment.

Sunjay grew up with few opportunities in life. His father Mr Ram Kunwar passed away in 2009. Savriti, his mother is very poor and has suffered many health issues over recent years. She presently enjoys being one of our cooks, daily preparing healthy meals for the children who attend the Village Kadarganj school.

For most of his life Sunjay has carried the weight and burden of his family and neighbours on his shoulders. For a short period of time (which is when I, Doug first met him in 2013 - see images below) he even set up a small ‘pharmacy’ in his village – bringing simple medications from the city to the villages, and selling these items only just to cover his costs, to give to the poor people who otherwise had no access to medical help. Through his ambition and determination, he approached Project Help India for financial support to commence a law degree. He has studied hard, and this year he is working as an intern with a senior lawyer one day a week, anticipating to be able to set up his own legal practice after graduating at the end of 2021. 

Images above: The village, the pharmacy and the very small classroom where it all began in 2013 and below photos taken just this week outside one of the Project Help village classrooms.

A role model and father figure to hundreds of children

Sanjay and his wife Rakhi are happy in their work. Aware of the power of education they have a big vision for their daughter and their students. Sunjay is a father figure to the children in the villages. He is trusted and respected by their parents and the village elders who often seek his advice and guidance. While we know that he will one day leave the village, and move into town to set up his business, we know that he will always support and serve Project help for many years to come.

Can you help us to honour and thank Sunjay

This Father’s Day we will honour and thank Sunjay by gifting him with a fridge for his house, as well as a lovely hamper filled with sweet treats for him and the family. It is because of his passion, dedication, and constant hard work, Sunjay has made it possible for over 500 children, who would never over-wise, have received an education … and through this, the wider community has changed and grown in health and strength.

We would be most grateful for your donation of $300 to pay for the fridge.

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 2) Rakesh - working hard for his 4 gorgeous kids

Meet Rakesh - fighting for his daughter who was sexually abused when 8 months old. We are hoping to make his dreams for his children come true this Fathers’ Day.

It will be Father’s Day in Australia in two weeks

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities. 

Please join our WE LOVE YOU DAD Campaign

Across these 3 weeks we hope to raise $5000 with the goal to;

• help dads to help their kids

• help kids who don’t have dads

At Project Help we especially count it our privilege to care for the poorest of the poor, helping dads who are doing their best, under difficult circumstances and few resources available to them. We see the good in so many men, who despite the poverty of their circumstances, work hard and never stop making personal sacrifices for their children. They dream for their children and are determined to provide for their family. We often see a stoic, brave smile that masks pain, shame and a lack of dignity because they cannot meet their family needs.

Meet Rakesh - working hard for his daughter to give her every chance

Imagine the deep sense of guilt and shame that comes from knowing that you did not protect your baby daughter. Back in 2016 Rakesh was at work labouring, when an intruder sexually abused his baby daughter Lata. This was while his 75yr blind elderly mother in law was in the room unaware and helplessly unable to intervene. Rakesh still lives with the trauma and stigma of this terrible incident. He is a hard working daily labourer who earns about 200rupees ($4AUS) a day. His work is dangerous as it involves operating sand excavation machinery in river beds. Sometimes these rivers flash flood with no warning.

Our Project Help field worker provided this update about the family just the week;

This story is about a father and his adorable daughter Lata, we can see pureness in her eyes and beauty as she smiles. She has two sisters and one brother. They all were admitted to school when Project Help India insisted that their parents take them to the local school. Lata is the youngest of all. The oldest is Neetu who is 11 years old, studies in 7th class. Secondly Bharti, she is 10 years old . She studies in 6th class and then Ajay who is 6 years old and studies in 1st class. Lata will soon start to attend school. Both parents are laborers. They Both leave their home in the morning and come home late .

Lata was eight months old, when one day her parents left for work and her siblings were also young . They were home alone when she got raped by an unknown person working near their house. Her condition was so serious  and worse that time , she could barely survive. The local police were distressed by the situation and called Project Help to help. We took this case  under control and started making efforts to save Lata. She got treated very well even after so many complications she survived and recovered and proved herself as a warrior. The rapist got the punishment of life imprisonment.  Now Lata has grown up and is 5 years old now. Poonam, her mother said that Lata sometimes has pain in her urinary tract and she needs this to be treated as soon as possible.

Lata is an intelligent girl, good in studies and learning as well. Her father told his grief regarding his daughter and we felt really heartbroken  as a father always dreams best for his children and  any father would never ever think about that grim thing to any of his children. The financial condition is also not good and the lockdown made it worse for them but still he works harder for his kids for their needs for their dreams. He loves his daughter Lata very much and wants her to achieve what she aspires to in life. He hopes that she will have everything she dreams in the whole world. He wants her to be well educated, to earn a good living, live in a good house and above all to enjoy a good life.

We pray and hope that Lata and her father’s dream will come true .

How can you help?

We want to bless Rakesh and his family this Fathers’ Day. We are seeking an Australian (or international) sponsor who can pay $360-$500 a year to pay for Lata's ongoing medical expenses and to assist with the children's school fees.

Your tax deductible donation will help Rakesh's dreams for his family come true this Fathers' Day. 

WE LOVE YOU DAD (Pt 1) Kaviraj - He has leprosy and he's an inspirational father

Imagine despite your own chronic health struggles, begging on the street every day to care for your family, doing all you can to give him every opportunity to flourish and succeed in life. This year we want to give Kaviraj the Fathers’ Day gift that he has been praying for … his son’s education.

It will be Father’s Day in Australia in three weeks

Fathers’ Day provides us with the opportunity to show our love and appreciation by honouring the dads and father-figures in our lives and communities.

At Project Help we especially count it our privilege to care for the poorest of the poor, helping dads who are doing their best, under difficult circumstances and few resources available to them. We see the good in so many men, who despite the poverty of their circumstances, work hard and never stop making personal sacrifices for their children. They dream for their children and are determined to provide for their family. We often see a stoic, brave smile that masks pain, shame and a lack of dignity because they cannot meet their family needs.

Please join our WE LOVE YOU DAD Campaign

Over the next 3 weeks our goal is to raise $5000 with the goal to;

* help dads to help their kids

* help kids who don’t have dads

Meet Kavi-Raj

Kavi-raj is an inspiring father who we have helped for a number of years. He has suffered from leprosy since he was about eight years old and abandoned by his parents who on learning of his diagnosis placed him at the front door of a temple. He is now 56 years old and married to Kanti-devi. They have a son Karan Dalei who is 14 years old and in the 8th Grade at school. Karan is healthy and fit but he is often taunted and ostracised by the other children because of his father’s condition.

Kavi and his family live in the Leprosy Colony by the riverside slum of Kotdwara. Here they live with 2 or 3 other families where each has a member of the family with leprosy. Kavi’s family is doing well these days but due to the lockdown Kavi has recently suffered a lot. His health has not been good and he must take great care due to his vulnerable health condition. Understandably he is fearful of COVID -anxious and scared for himself and for his family. To earn an income Kavi begs every day on the street. He has basically done this every day of his life since childhood. The current lockdown curfews reduce his ability to beg. On a good day he will earn about 200rupee ($4AUS) a day. Project Help has been giving him additional rations and food to support the family’s needs during the COVID crisis. 

Kavi says that he has never had a friend, other than the people he lives with. He appreciates the love that is shown to him from Project help, because he is regarded as untouchable. People do not talk to him and people on the streets treat him poorly. For me (Doug) I count it a privilege to call Kavi my friend. He has taught and inspired me so much over the years. He has a fabulous sense of humour and he makes me laugh. I cried the day he told me that I was the first friend he could remember who had held his hand and hugged him.

Kavi’s dream is to make a home for his son as he thinks that in case he dies his wife and son must have a shelter over their head. His future hopes are only for his wife and son and for the help they need. He prays for Karan to be successful in the future. He is an intelligent boy who works hard at his studies. Kavi knows that his school education holds the key for a bright future. 

How we need your help

We want to bless Kavi and his family this Fathers’ Day. Karan’s school fees are 1500rupees ($30AUS) a month. We are seeking an Australian (or international) sponsor who can pay this amount. All up this is $360 a year. If we top this to $500, we can provide Kavi’s family with some needed utensils and goods for their home. A donation (tax deductible) of $2500 would see Karan’s education through to university. Please let us know if you can help, so we can connect you with Ravi should you wish. WE WILL GIVE KAVI AND HIS FAMILY YOUR PHOTO AND A MESSAGE FROM YOU.

TOP IMAGE: With his friends at the colony. Each of the men on the right have leprosy and have much in common with each other. BOTTOM: Kavi-raj with his wife and son (and my son Gulliver).