A chance to shine and flourish

4 year old Gurleen is not just from learning new things, she comes to school every day loved, known and valued. We are working hard to give her a bright future.

Last week we told you about our new centre close to the India-Pakistan border – Venturing Further Than Ever Before – A New Centre

We want to say a HUGE “thank you” to two Australian families who this week responded to our call, making a combined donation of $1709. Your generosity has made it possible for us to help this very poor community.

Just 3 weeks ago we started with 50 kids – most of whom have never been to a school before. The word has well and truly spread and this week even more new kids have shown up for the first time, and we now have 80 children most days. We anticipate that we will soon have 100+ enrolled.

Guleen’s Story

Whilst education is a human right, the majority of children in this isolated and marginalised district are unable to attend a local school. Little 4 year-old Gurleen Kaur (pictured above) is one of these kids. Gurleen is the eldest of 4 siblings. Her mother died during the delivery of her baby sister. Gurleen’s father is an addict in a community where drugs are cheap and easily available. He would only be in his early twenties, he never comes home and he is unemployed. The kids are looked after by their ill, elderly grandparents who live in a house that is falling down. Our new teacher Sonia Rani appealed to the grandparents to allow Gurleen to attend our centre and we are pleased that she now attends school on a daily basis. As well as starting to learn new things, we see Gurleen respond to the nurture and safety that school provides – for her this is a transformative experience.

Meet Sunita our teacher

Each one of our 80 students has a similarly sad story. Our work powerfully impacts their lives bringing love, hope and opportunities to shine and flourish. Even in these early days, we see small but significant changes. We are excited for the many possibilities.

We still require $791 to reach our target of $2500 which is needed to cover most of the costs required to provide 12 months of very basic education for 100 kids. Beyond this amount we will explore the possibility of providing all of the children with a daily meal as well - In our other projects, it currently costs about $40AUD a year per child to provide them with a daily meal - not including the cook's salary.

Can you help us to reach our target please? Your donation is tax-deductible.

Venturing further than ever before - a new centre

Saleem bringing love, hope and purpose to a marginalised group on the India - Pakistan border.

Last month, when Rowe and I were in India we met an inspiring Christian man, Saleem Masih (pictured above), who had travelled a very long way to meet us. Saleem wanted to tell us about his work with some very poor communities in western Punjab. Saleem was compelling, as he told us about a very needy group of people who have limited access to the most basic of life’s necessities. He described his small passionate team of 5 people who work on a minimal salary ($15AUD a week) to bring help through education to 200 kids in 3 small school centres. Most of these kids do not go to school.

Further to this, Saleem told us about a small and neglected population group in the Gatti District which is an isolated and very dangerous area due to its proximity to the Indian - Pakistani border. Little has changed in this area for the past 75 years. Access to services is available only possible by crossing the river by boat (at a fee), and this does not operate during the monsoon season. Most families do not have the money to regularly cross this wide river so therefore the children do not attend a school. Therefore, the kids, like their parents, are uneducated. The area is heavily patrolled by the military, especially by drones.

A Plea for Help

The reason why Saleem had travelled so far was to ask if we would consider taking on his projects and he indicated his need to be part of a larger team to collaborate with, and to work with others who would provide mentoring and guidance for how to develop and improve his projects. He knew he’d have a better chance of convincing us if he met us face to face. His efforts were not in vain because we were definitely stirred by his determination, love and compassion for these forgotten people. It was hard for us to not immediately say “yes” but we asked for more information and clarity around the amount of support required. We now are now in a position to make an informed initial commitment.

Our Commitment for 2023

We have decided to support Saleem initially for 14 months, commencing 1st November. ‘Project Help’ has started a fourth centre at Village Hajara Gatti in the Ferozepur District (location map). The people who live here are incredibly poor and most are illiterate. The district is in a very isolated area, and is situated between the Satluj River and the Pakistani border (which is a fence).

Some facts

-       50 children will attend our centre, 5 days a week. This is anticipated to grow to 100 students

-       $100AUS start up fees to set things up

-       $100AUS month (covers rent and a teacher’s salary)

-       We will review our commitment in 6 months and confirm our long-term support in November 2023

-       We will also work towards providing additional funding to improve the existing 3 centres, and (hopefully) provide meals for the children.

Welcome to our new team member

We welcome Gaura Chabra to the Project Help India Team.

We welcome Gaura Chabra to the Project Help India Team in the role as Office Secretary. Gaura is a graduated in Botany and has received a one year diploma in Computer application. She will  help us in the valuable role of reporting ,organising student and staff date, managing the office and writing our story content and updates for blogs and newsletters. We looking forward to getting to know her more.

Diwali Blessings - giving and receiving love

Some of our students enjoying their traditional Rangoli artwork

On the recent occasion of Diwali, the most famous festival in India, we organised the art and craft activity of painting earthen diyas (lighted lamp) and drawing the beautiful Rangoli (traditional Indian art from using coloured sand or powder to decorate floor) to bring out the creative talents of children.

The children from across all of our centres decorated the diyas which were then donated to both needy persons, and also to some police officers at the local station.

Our Director Mr. Amit Samuel said the main objective of this activity was to explore the student’s imagination and creativity and explain the word ‘equality’ to the children and to reinforce the importance of showing respect and having an understanding of community religions and important celebrations.

As an opportunity to share love some of the students of our Bijnor Center) also took part and visited to respected Officers (District Magistrate (DM) Mr Umesh Tyagi, Mrs. Indoo -Superintendent of Police, and Sanjiv Tyagi) bringing their best wishes, decorated diyas, sweets and colourful greeting cards.

Mr Umesh Tyagi returned the blessing giving gift hampers to the children. Mrs. Indoo gave Rs 500 to each child 500 rupees as a token of love and to buy a Diwali gift.It was a very special moment.

The officers honoured and appreciated the remarkable work done by Project Help India in their locality of Bijnor and for its role in helping humanity, and specifically the poor and needy in one of Bijnor’s poorest slums.

And we made the local news once again. We are so proud to be respected and acknowledged for the work we are doing in the community.

State Media Praise for Project Help India

So proud of our amazing teachers who made the celebration of World Food Day, and the teaching of special lessons possible.

We were delighted to get a special mention in one of the statewide newspapers praising us for our work helping the needy and feeding the hungry.

World Food Day 22 - So grateful for a full tummy

Project Help India celebrated World Food Day this October by having lessons and a special healthy meal at each of our centres. We are thankful for our Coordinator, Mrs Shalini Singh and our teachers who made this possible. Emphasis was placed on the importance of valuing nutritious food with the slogan “bringing our hands together for needy persons.” Sadly, we currently see the incidence of hunger growing in the slums where we work, due to the significant escalation in the cost of essential food items at the markets. The increase in the cost of living impacts the poor and needy in the slums before others.

When our kids come to class every day, they each receive a nutritious meal. For every child this is the most substantial meal that they receive. They are grateful for a full tummy …and boy do some eat a lot! Thank you to the generosity of our supporters who make this possible.

A very lucky escape for our student - Adnam rescued from kidnappers

We are so thankful for Adnam’s safety and for the education he has received.

This story is a significant one and demonstrates the power of child safety education. Adnan has a cognitive disability. Ever since a toddler he has roamed the streets unsupervised - vulnerable and highly at risk. Attending our centre has minimised this somewhat, yet he continues to be vulnerable. Our students receive frequent safety lessons and we are pleased that he knew to yell for help. We will continue to reinforce a number of safety lessons in all of our centres. Our Field Worker reported…

Adnan is a student at our Project Help, Disability Centre, and has been receiving education at our Disability Centre for three years. Adnan’s cognitive disability sometimes imapcts his judgments about other people's intentions or social situations. Adnan likes to go for long walks in the market all by himself, he often goes for long strolls without informing anyone at home. He always comes back safe and sound but last week a very serious incident took place.

On 9th October when Adnan was as usual wandering in the Kotdwara Railway station, a group of men kidnapped him by luring him with money. The men asked him to come along with them on the train ride, promising him money. Adnan naively sat with them. The men along with Adnan got as far as Najibabad station some 25km away. Reaching there he asked the men for the money and didn't receive any. Perceiving that something might be wrong Adnan started crying out for help. His screaming grabbed the attention of his brother's friend. He reached out to Adnan and noticed that he was with a group of unknown men. He asked Adnan about his whereabouts and how he reached there. Adnan narrated the whole incident His brother's friend quickly informed some nearby shopkeepers and hawkers asking for help. All of them beat up the men and rescued Adnan who was later dropped back home by his brother's friend. Adnan is currently doing well and is safe with his family.

Adnam came to school the next day with a big story to tell. We thank God for his safety.

Fabulously good news - especially for 12 kids

One of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of our work in India is when we can share good news stories about the people we are able to help. Recently I have written to you about Project Help India's anti-human trafficking work. I had mentioned to you that we are working with the state police to help vulnerable children through Operation Mukti. This week 12 kids were given a hopeful and much brighter future because of the concerted efforts of the Operation Mukti team. We wanted to pass on this news to you straight away because it really is fantastic and the support you give through your donation has made this great news possible.

Operation Mukti anti childhood begging

In partnership with the Government Railway Police, this week some of the Project Help team travelled to the Haridwar Train Station – a renowned busy place where religious pilgrims, travellers and tourists gather and where children beg. This week, Operation Mukti identified and worked alongside 25 vulnerable children. These kids would normally spend the day begging by the railway, fossicking for recyclable rubbish with many preyed upon to work with local mafia gangs. Many of the girls are sexually abused too, which then ultimately leads to their involvement in prostitution. Through counselling and an intervention program 12 of the kids were enrolled in a local school. Project Help India gave them each a school bag with school books, stationery items and some chocolate too. The police will ensure that these kids are monitored and supported over time. We know from previous experience that starting school plays a vital role in ensuring children's safety and long-term positive life outcomes ...so again, thank you!

Also this week, Project Help India was pleased to make a small donation to the Railway Police Station, by purchasing a drinking water dispenser. The police were thrilled and most grateful.