The life-changing gift of a child's education this Christmas

These kids have had a great year, and we are so thrilled to hear that they have thrived in their learning at school - despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic. We are delighted that each has made remarkable progress, growing in their academic ability, social skills and self-confidence. As they tackle new concepts and embrace the challenges of their school work we see increasing self awareness and with this comes a realisation that their dreams for life are tangible and something that’s within their reach.

This Christmas, we thank our supporters for giving these kids (along with the other 550 children who attend our centres) the precious gift of an education. Because of you, these kids are flourishing not only with their learning, but in their health and nutrition, ambitions and personal aspirations for the future.

These kids, their families and teachers, send you a big 'THANK YOU’ - along with their greetings and best wishes this Christmas.

Manvi’s Story

Manvi has been a student at our Village Ladpura Centre for 4 years. Manvi has 6 siblings. Her father Mr Ravi Kumar works as a decorator for marriage ceremonies and the family’s financial situation is dire. Caring for a large family is extremely difficult and Mr Kumar has found that this has been exacerbated since the Covid pandemic due to a lack of work. Manvi’s mother, Mrs Baby is a housewife. As Manvi's parents are not educated, they have not been able to teach their children. When we first met Manvi she lacked confidence and openness and due to a lack of education, it was difficult for her to manage day-to-day tasks.  Now she is thriving and her parents say that she is a different child. Manvi tells us that she enjoys learning new things like singing, dancing, drawing, and listening to moral educational stories. She dreams of becoming a teacher so that she can educate children.

Karan’s Story

Karan is in 6th grade at our Village Bagnala Centre. Sadly, his father passed away leaving his mother Ruby Devi, to bring up her 3 children alone. Ruby works as a labourer in the fields and does not earn enough to meet the needs of her family. With barely enough to feed her children, education could not be a priority for Ruby. If it wasn’t for Project help, these kids would not attend school. Karan’s teachers say that he is constantly improving and growing in confidence, and because of this he now loves school.

Sehnaaz’s Story

Sehnaaz was once a very uncooperative, ill mannered and disrespectful child who refused to help comply with her parents. She currently studies the equivalent of Grade 5 at the Project Help India Kadarganj Centre where she especially likes sports, dancing, singing, storytelling and reciting poems. Since attending school many positive changes can be seen in her. She helps her mother and even wants to do extra studies at home. When talking with her family, they say that she has changed a lot. Once a very difficult child she now respects everyone now. This has also transformed her family and their home life and they all are very thankful. Everyone thinks that Sehnaaz will be very successful in life because of her fierce determination.

Prachi’s Story

This is 14 year old Prachi. She belongs to a very poor family. Her father’s name is Mr. Raju and her mother’s name is Samlesh. Her father is a labourer and her mother is a homemaker who fetches wood. They have 3 siblings. In a family of 5 members having only a single person employed brings many challenges. In the hard time of the pandemic Prachi’s father was unable to get work making it difficult for the family to survive a single day. Project Help India reached out to this family, supporting them with food supplies, as well as educating the children at our City Centre. Prachi is studying in class 9. Initially she was a very shy, under -confident girl who could barely read Hindi and English, now she excels. After becoming a part of the Project Help India family the change in her personality is visible. Her dream is to become an advocate to help others in need.

The complexity of Child Marriage and Guana

In our most recent blog we spoke about the two-fold nature of our work. At Project Help India our work balances between meeting the urgent and immediate needs of people, and also advocating and working against the systemic injustices that both oppress and reinforce their status and place in society. We believe that through this approach generational change and long-term community transformation is made possible.

Child Marriage and Guana

One of the most complex and challenging issues that we are responding to is the arranged marriages of young people, especially girls and women. In some of the communities where we work, child marriage is a common practice. Girls are married as children and then at age 18, the marriage is consummated and they must move into their in-law's house. This is in keeping with the traditional North Indian Gauna ritual ceremony. In previous generations Guana was common any time after a girl’s menarche, but it is now illegal in India prior to age 18.

As we work alongside these people it is not as simple as saying that there is a better way. Our approach provides a careful balance of building long term trust and respectful relationships, school attendance coupled with academic success, providing parent and family education programs, and also counselling. Our leaders and teachers who live in these communities are key to understanding and navigating the many personal and cultural sensitivities.

Don’t be quick to judge

Empathy and compassion are key to understanding the depth of complexity underlying childhood marriage. As with most of the social issues that we respond to, we see that poverty is cruel and is exacerbated by a vicious cycle of illiteracy, a lack of awareness, limited opportunities and often desperation. Due to poverty and the social context and structures of village life, a child’s marriage provides a way for parents to ensure their daughter’s future success and safety.

Shmitra’s Story

Shmitra* is 17 years old and currently studying at one of our Education Centres. She belongs to a local tribe and lives in the mountain foothills. Shmitra joined our centre 4 years ago and is currently learning at a Grade 4 level. Before attending classes, she was not allowed to attend school at all. As per tribal rules girls are not allowed to go outside of their communities unless they are supervised by a male. When the Project Help Centre began, Shmitra’s parents (along with many other parents) agreed that their daughters could now attend school as the centre is within the boundaries of the community.

Shmitra was married when she was a child. When she turns 18, she will move to her in-laws for the Gauna ritual ceremony. After this, Shmitra must stop attending school and will be limited to completing household chores and taking care of her family. Due to their strict traditional beliefs the men must work in the field to earn income and women are responsible for the household chores. Education is not a priority for anyone.

Neema’s Story

Neema* is also 17 years old and a student at one of our Village Centres, and she too was married as a child. Before attending classes Neema was unable to read or write, she could not write her name. Neema is very determined. Since she began her education, she is reading and writing both in English and Hindi. Through her education Neema has expressed that she does not want to live under societal norms but rather in her own words, she wants to;

“create my own identity.”

Naeema has asked Project Help India for us to start sewing classes as an extra-curricular activity so she can earn some money.

Finding their voice

Currently there are three teenage girls whose families we are working with, as well as a number of younger children whose lives have been planned according to this tribal practice.

Attending school has given the girls hope to be educated and feel confident. Both Neema and Shmitra have asked Project Help India to encourage their family to support their dreams. Both want to continue studying after the Guana ceremony. We are by conducting meetings with the families to understand the importance of education. Neema has also asked us to speak to her parents about supporting her ambitions of starting a small business. Project Help India is also helping the families by providing them with necessities such as sanitary pads, some financial support, rations and clothes, as well as the education and the daily healthy meals received each day at school.

* names have been changed

Across October - happiness, joy and big achievements

To our Friends and Supporters,

Firstly, we want to express our sincerest thanks and gratitude to you. Your generosity is having impact in so many ways, and at many levels.

At Project Help India we are seeing transformation in the lives of individuals and their community. Our work balances between meeting the urgent and immediate needs of people, feeding them, teaching, providing counselling, and also advocating for the marginalised and working against the systemic injustice that both oppress and reinforce their status and place in society. This is how generational change and long-term community transformation is made possible.

October flew by and our team delivered many exciting programs. We are so proud to tell you about some of our achievements over this past month. In doing this we seek to highlight how impact is the balance between responding to immediate needs of people as well fighting for the cause of justice to create a better world for those who are powerless ...and ultimately for us all.

Empowerment through Education

Early in October our staff and two police officers visited the Kadarganj Centre to conduct a session on the ‘importance of education’. All 40 students (ranging from 4 to 17 years old) are from the Gujjar tribal community, where education is disregarded and children are encouraged to work, completing household chores which then becomes the sole pathway for the rest of their lives. It’s a vicious cycle that has been compounded by a lack of awareness for generations. Our goal is to encourage and prepare children for their future, by changing their mindsets as well as the attitudes of their parents. Read more here

Women's Small Business Training

On the 6th of October we delivered a Self-Employment Training Workshop in partnership with Uttarakhand Police Wives Welfare Association. The objective of this workshop was to highlight the importance of self-employment for women, to create business opportunities, as well as increase their personal self-confidence. Through our Women’s Empowerment Centre, our long-term goal is for women in slum communities to become financially independent, to support not only their families but also themselves. Read more here

Health and Nutrition

On the 16th of October, we celebrated World Food Day. We prepared a delicious and healthy meal for our students, teaching them about the importance of eating healthy meals, hunger and malnutrition. We had a fun day learning so many new things as well as celebrating the blessings of food, friendship and coming together around the shared family table. Read more here

Inclusive Education

On 20th October 2021, we held our Annual Function with enthusiasm and happiness. There was much to celebrate! Our chief guest was Mr. Navendu Singh Ezekiel, a minister/politician in a minority community of Uttar Pradesh. The students of Disability Centre students performed a welcome dance, which without a doubt, was the highlight of the night. This was the very first time any of these children had performed on a stage. Emotions were high because these children were once not even capable of doing daily tasks and now, they were performing in front of a large audience. There were many tears in the room. This moment represented the importance and power of inclusive education, something that is not understood, and certainly not valued in much of India. Read more here

Together, we are making a difference
Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to our projects. Please reach out to any of us if you'd like to know more.

Thanks again, with love from the Project Help India team.

Annual Function 2021 - so much to celebrate

Students from our Disability Centre brought tears of joy and happiness. This significant moment represents the importance and power of inclusive education.

On 20th October 2021, we held our Annual Function with enthusiasm and happiness. There was much to celebrate, especially given we could not meet last year. The whole function was organised following COVID protocols like wearing masks, handing out sanitisers and maintaining proper distance.

The program began with a prayer and our director Mr. Amit Samuel and General Secretary Mrs. Daisy Samuel gave a warm welcome to our chief guest Mr. Navendu Singh Ezekiel, who is currently a minister/politician in a minority community of Uttar Pradesh.

Next was perhaps the highlight of the function. Our Disability Centre students performed a welcome dance. This was the very first time any of these children had performed on a stage. The atmosphere was emotional as these children were once not even capable of doing daily tasks. Now they were performing in front of a large audience, creating a proud moment for everyone. There were many tears in the room.

India is very rich in culture. So many cultural activities were performed gracefully by the students of our respective centres. Their happiness could be seen through their performances. We also distributed some gifts and chocolates to these children as a token of our love and appreciation.

Our Director Mr. Amit Samuel shared a few words about the works of our organisation and of our centres which work on different aspects of lives of children like to educate them, to make them confident, to maintain hygiene and good health, and most importantly to have a good life and hope for the future.

Our General Secretary Daisy Samuel read our Annual Report which summarised our work for the past two years. Daisy highlighted our response to COVID, with Project Help providing thousands of meals and food supplies to slum families and the homeless, who were jobless and starving. During the lockdown we also distributed worksheets to the students of our centres so that their studies would not be affected. Goodie bags were also given to the community front line workers- the street cleaners, police and hospital staff who worked so tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

We honoured the Kotdwara Police Anti Human Trafficking Unit. During the pandemic the team worked very diligently with their ‘Red Rescue Campaign’. Through this they rescued 35 people, and another 20 missing people were located and helped back to their homes. We are also happy to honour them as they are always ready to partner with Project Help India. The police were very grateful for Project Help India.

A few inspirational words were given by our Chief guest who gave high praise and honour to Amit and Daisy Samuel. He also acknowledged our team of teachers and support staff who make such a difference in the lives of the people, especially the children.

We concluded our function with a vote of thanks to each and everyone who have given their precious time to attend, and for their support of our work over the past 2 years. The event was a huge success and we look forward to another year of serving our community and helping those in need.

World Food Day …it's Delicious!

On the 16th of October, we celebrated World Food Day. We prepared the students from across our centres with a delicious and healthy meal. We partnered with Uttarakhand Police Wives Welfare Association, the Kotdwara District Food Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police. World Food Day aims to create an awareness of global hunger and strives to eradicate hunger across the world. This year’s World Food Day theme was “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”.

The United Nations estimates that there are 195 million undernourished people in India, meaning that India shares a quarter of the worlds global hunger burden. 

Our goal as we celebrated World Food Day was to educate our students on the importance of eating nutritional healthy meals, hunger and malnutrition, as well as sustainable food production. Our fabulous staff members worked diligently to prepare meals that were rich in iron, calcium, vitamins and protein. Each dish had its own nutritional value, and there was much to be learnt;  

- Salad: Boosting the immune system, adding fibre to the body and good for eyesight and digestion. 

- Palak ‘Spinach’ Paneer ‘Indian Cottage Cheese’, a North Indian curry dish, with fresh spinach, onions, spices, paneer and herbs. This dish is known in India as a good source of protein. 

- Lauki kofta ‘bottle gourd’: Helps digestion and weight loss, benefiting the heart and reduces stress.

- Raee ‘Green vegetable’: Contains vitamins, minerals, and fibre. 

- Veg Pulao ‘rice and vegetables’: Contains carbohydrates, fibre and iron. 

- Chapati ‘tortillas’: Contains fibre. 

- Burrito with kidney beans: Provides rich proteins. 

It was evident from the children’s faces that they were satisfied and happy with their meals. When you can enjoy three meals each day you are blessed. World Food Day is an opportunity to learn to respect food, as food is an essential requirement for the sustenance of life and we hope we will not forget to celebrate this blessing. We made a promise to ourselves that we will not waste food this is a contribution, a small action that will make a big difference to this world. 

Food, family, friendship

We had a fun day learning so many new things as well as celebrating the blessings of food, friendship and coming together around the shared family table. We thank God for Project help India.

https://in.one.un.org/un-priority-areas-in-india/nutrition-and-food-security/

Women's Training

We are providing training with skills to set up small businesses

On the 6th of October, Project Help delivered a Self-Employment Training Workshop in partnership with Uttarakhand Police Wives Welfare Association. We had two guest speakers from Dehradun who trained participants to start a business from home, making and selling candles, incense (dhoop), and incense sticks (agarbatti). There were ten participants from Project Help India, including staff and students from the slum communities and 10 participants from the police force.

In our first session, trainers explained how to make five types of candles. These candles are easy to make at home, and you can buy them from any general stationery store or online. Candle making is cheap and less time-consuming; therefore, it can be beneficial for women to start their business by selling homemade candles, earning extra income for their families. Participants were very excited to participate and took notes of the whole session.

The second session was on the making of incense (dhoop). The trainers gave a detailed explanation, making four types of incense. Incense is in vast demand during the festive season. The materials are natural and quickly found; the process is cheap, easy to make, and consumes less time. In the last session, trainers made charcoal incense sticks (agarbatti). The process is also easy, making it a perfect business start-up.

Project Help India’s primary objective in conducting the workshop was to highlight the importance of self-employment for women, to create business opportunities, as well as increase their confidence. Through our Women’s Empowerment Centre, we will be providing them with an office and funding all the required materials, tools, money, and marketing to help them start their business. Our goal is for women in slum communities to become financially independent, to support not only their families but also themselves. We look forward to creating further opportunities for training, upskilling and supporting the slum women to set up small businesses.

Education is the key

This month our staff members and two police officers visited the Kadarganj centre to conduct a session on the “importance of education”. All 40 students (ranging from 4 to 17 years old) are from the Gujjar tribal community, where education is disregarded and children are encouraged to work, completing household chores which then becomes the sole pathway for the rest of their lives. It’s a vicious cycle compounded by a lack of education, generation after generation.

We interviewed students asking how they have progressed and what they find challenging. A key challenge for the students is a lack of educational support from the community. In this light our guest speakers spoke about the significance of education, providing some very important messages; 

"Today education is a necessity to earn a basic livelihood."

"Education awakens curiosity to learn new things and develop a sense of innovation and creativity."

The students listened intently. Since joining the centre students said that they have seen behavioural changes and they are concentrating on their health and education. The students were grateful for Project Help and the opportunity to be educated. They recited the alphabet, numbers, poems and described their hobbies to staff members. Akram, a 10-year-old student with a mild intellectual disability, eagerly showed staff members the sounds of vehicles and animals. He is quickly learning sounds, pictures and names, and we are so proud of his progress.

We hope that this session bought an awareness to the importance of education bringing value and purpose to their life. Our goal is to encourage and prepare children for their futures. We have big dreams for them.

School's Back Bringing Hope, Health, Happiness …and Magic

The kids are back at our Kotdwara Slum Centre and they are very happy.

School is back and we are all relieved and delighted

For the past 2 weeks our 9 education centres across three states in Northern India have resumed their full delivery of classes, along with a daily meal for each child, 5 days a week. COVID has not stopped the kids from coming to school, in fact we have more students than ever! Another 100 students have started at our 2 centres in Punjab bringing our current total enrolments across the 9 centres to 542 students.

18 months of continuous lockdown for most children

With the exception of a few short weeks last week, our centres have not been fully ‘open’ since March 2020. We honour our teachers, project officers and the leadership team who despite the most difficult of circumstances have worked tirelessly to continue to care for our students and their families - feeding them when hungry, supporting mental health issues, checking in on their physical safety, not to mention providing for their ongoing learning with the delivery of worksheets and lessons when possible to their homes.

The children are smiling and great happiness fills the classrooms. Isn’t this what it’s all about! When I reflect on the core purpose of Project Help India, it starts with the kids. The COVID lockdown and the challenges that we have and will continue to face remind me of why I am so passionately dedicated to the cause of education. Globally, we must get children back to school safely and quickly. Whether it’s in Australia, or in one the remotest parts of the planet in Northern India... schools worldwide, are places of hope, health, happiness …and magic!

Hope

When I think of hope I think of children learning - equipping them with the skills for their success both for their present life circumstances as well as giving them a sense of purpose, confidence and optimism for a bright future. Hope is found where parents work hard for their family, contributing to the good of others and the strength of the community for generations to come.

Health

When I think of health I think of children’s safety - their physical and emotional health and wellbeing, their nutrition and not going hungry. Health is found in an inclusive community where all children, regardless of their gender, creed, abilities or disabilities have equal access to the resources required for them to live and to learn well.

Happiness

When I think of happiness, I think of the joy and wonder of childhood, the friendship, fun games, sports, and having a second family at school where they are loved, valued, are ‘known’ and belong. Happiness is found in a place filled with culture, art, dancing, music and curiosity – discovering and nurturing the talents and gifts of each remarkable individual child. Happiness is found in a community where children laugh with joy, bringing smiles and fond memories to the elderly who sit and watch nearby.

It’s at school where the magic happens

Please help us to make the magic happen. If you can, we would value your generous donation to resource our schools. We can’t wait to share some of the stories about our schools and students over the weeks to come. Thank you.