Hope is a Two Way Street (Bringing Hope: Pt 2)

I find it a sad and confronting irony that this week, that some of the most disadvantaged children on this planet were doing their bit on ‘Earth Day 23’ to make their world a better place. I actually think it’s quite scandalous (and inspiring) that these children who have inherited basically nothing in life, except for a dirty slum, are the ones who, with smiles on their faces, are enthusiastically cleaning their patch and making a difference.

Kids are kids no matter where in the world

As I (Doug) mentioned in my previous blog - “kids are kids no matter where in the world”. I see exactly the same for the children who I work with and alongside at my school in Sydney. They are kind, compassionate, inclusive, creative and generous in their willingness to help and serve others and their community.

We would all agree that our planet needs hope. It makes me wonder what happens after childhood that hardens so many adults. I suggest that one way to make a significant difference is to give greater recognition to the precious stage of life called ‘childhood.’

Children provide us with both an opportunity and a solution

We must listen to children more - giving them a voice to bring their perspective, creativity and ideas for solving problems to shape and impact the world they are growing up in.

We must give children more opportunities to ‘be’ the solution - the smiles on their faces, energy and enthusiasm that I consistently see in all children, from the poorest of the poor to some of the most wealthy, is all the evidence I need to know that they can surely do a better job than most adults. Kids love to get their hands dirty but most of the time we don’t let them (oh dear, they might get germs!).

We must be committed to change and to be bringers of hope - why? because of our children need us to have hope. A vicious cycle is created when kids see adults as despondent, cynical and pessimistic about the future and life in general.

Education is key - to bring hope and to make change happen, priorities within the curriculum must be challenged. Let’s also consider how much time we are giving kids each day, whilst they are at school, to do the things that really matter, to have impact in their community and the lives of others, connecting with others - to be truly human.

Hope is a two way street

I am personally committed to make a difference in my life and work to bring hope to children. But when I think deeply about this, it’s actually the kids who bring and give me so much hope and inspiration. I’m sure there are children in your life who do the same for you.

“Let us be mindful of the children,
being born today,
in a world torn apart
by humans.
Let us show our children
a more excellent way
to walk on the earth and be human,
truly human.

Let us love this world
we’ve been breaking apart
and let our love bring wholeness.
And let us love one another
with a compassionate heart
for it is love that makes us human, human.
”

— Brian McLaren, ‘Weep for the World’ – (stanzas 2&3)

What the kids did on Earth Day 2023, inspired someone enough to tell the media about their initiative and efforts. Check out this news clip that featured on @Himilaya News. The item talks about Project Help India students who went into the slum river, jungles and fields to clean up garbage and plastics.

Top images - slum kids and below some jungle village kids

Love, Hope and Light at Easter

Beautiful eggs decorated by some of our students this week.

The mission of Project Help India is ‘to bring love, hope, dignity and purpose to the poor in India’, and what a perfect opportunity we have had to do this at Easter.

We are privileged to be educating over 600 children who come to our 13 centres 5 days a week to learn and receive a nutritious meal. On Friday at all of our centres our students also had the bonus of enjoying some chocolate that came packaged with lots and lots of love!

While our students come from mostly Hindu and Muslim backgrounds, Easter is recognised as an important religious festival. Irrespective of differences, great respect and reverence are given to learning about the things of God. Easter provides us with the opportunity to tell the children about how much they are loved and valued.

Poverty is cruel and these slum and village kids come from some very dark and challenging circumstances. Daily, they face situations marked by hunger, poor hygiene and sanitation, parent addictions and domestic violence, a scarcity of family resources, and certainly none of the comforts that we in the western world often take for granted. The message of Easter brings hope in times of present suffering and hope for all that is possible in the future. Where there is love, there is always light.

Kids are kids no matter where in the world. They love to listen to stories, wonder, learn, create, laugh and play games. Our lessons this week were filled with fun and discovery - along with the important reminder that each one of us is a precious child of God.

Thank you to our supporters. Your kindness and generosity this week brought chocolate, smiles, and hope to some very marginalised and vulnerable children – in a very remote part of the world where Easter eggs are not found in any of the shops. The kids send their love and gratitude back to you.

Any excuse for fun and mischief after lessons

‘Holi’ is a popular and significant festival known as the ‘Festival of Colours’, celebrating the arrival of spring in India, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and the sharing of stories about eternal and divine love - especially the triumph of good over evil.

Last week, one evening after lessons some of our City Centre students could not help themselves but to spontaneously break out into some crazy games and to throw the colour powders at each another. Any excuse for some fun and frivolity …something we suspect they had been planning for a while (ha!).

Our education centres and the kids who attend

At ‘Project Help India’ we recognise the privilege that we have in educating the now 320 children who come to our 8 centres 5 days a week to learn and receive a nutritious meal. Additionally, we are now supporting and partnering with 5 centres in Western Punjab that have recently joined the Project Help India family. There are 350 kids who attend these centres every day.

The kids who attend our schools do so with enthusiasm. They are respectful, cooperative and committed to learning. They are also grateful knowing how lucky they are, because for most there is no other school to attend.

None of our students pay to attend a Project Help Centre. It is thanks to our supporters, who make all of this possible. Currently, it costs approximately $30 a month to pay for a child’s education and meals, and approximately $40 a month to pay for a child’s education and meals at our Slum Disability Centre in Kotdwara. (This cost is currently rising due to a significant increase in the price of food.) This is why we need your ongoing support.

If you don't already, would you consider making an annual tax-deductible donation of $360 or $480 to cover the costs associated with a child’s education? Your donation has a very big impact. 

Advocacy and Giving Voice = Love in Action

Our forum was a powerful occasion providing many marginalised community members the opportunity to give voice to their needs and expressing their complaints, concerns, fears, and hopes they have for the future.

Last weekend our team organised and hosted an important community forum in Kotdwara. Attended by 350 people, State and Local Government officials met seeking to listen, understand, and respond to the welfare needs of minority groups. These people were specifically those who Project Help India directly works with in slum communities.

The forum (which the locals call a "camp") provided the opportunity for people to speak directly about their circumstances. It was a very powerful occasion with many of the parents and community members giving voice to their needs and expressing their complaints, concerns, fears, and hopes for the future. Further to this, those who attended were educated and informed about their rights, government schemes and resources that they could have access to.

Many issues were raised including access to health and medical support, the nutrition and education of children, women’s empowerment opportunities, age care and agricultural support. Issues of police discrimination and how illiterate people can access government administration and resources were also raised and discussed.

We are pleased to report that some issues were immediately resolved including an action item to introduce access to a pension for the elderly.

Project Help India was thanked and praised for their efforts in reaching these minority groups and for providing them with a safe space for speaking directly with the government officials. The Forum itself was regarded as an innovative way of connecting marginalised people with the government help that they so desperately need. Due to the success of the forum the idea was considered as a model for emulation in other communities across Uttarakhand. We are so proud of our team and thankful for their efforts to advocate for the poor and needy. We are grateful for the funding provided by our supporters whose generosity made this event possible. We look forward to future forums in Kotdwara and further afield.

Chief Guest, Chairman of Minority Commission Dr. RK Jain and Secretary JS Rawat attended the Forum. Here they are listening to local farmers talk about some of the current challenges that they are facing.

Members of the Project Help India team with guests and officials

Thank you for helping us to SHINE

We quickly wanted to let you know that we are grateful.

'SHINE' Conference last weekend was just wonderful.

Thank you to the many people whose generous support made our conference possible.

Thank you to Daisy Samuel for hosting. You inspire us Daisy and we love you.

Thank you to the amazing Project Help team for your hard work, boundless energy, passion and commitment to serving women, their families and communities. You made this conference happen!

Thank you to our speakers and esteemed guests of honour. Thank you for sharing your expertise, stories and wisdom. Your vulnerability, love and kindness was a blessing to us all.

Thank you to our 600 delegates, some of whom travelled 500km to attend. We had over 100 women attend for the very first time. We are so glad that you had a fabulous time. Thank you for your friendship - we are in this together.

May the experience and what you learnt bring strength, a sense of purpose and a knowledge of your personal worth empower you in all you do. As you SHINE, may your beauty, your dignity and resolve -bring hope and change for the better, to your life and circumstances.

We believe in you. You are loved.

Let’s do this all again soon. We can't wait another year!

Empowered to SHINE - Asha's Inspiring Story

Asha is mother of seven children, four daughters and three sons whom she has raised alone after her husband passed away. Asha was married at the early age of 16. Not only was the loss of her husband emotionally devastating, it was magnified by the long term struggle for basic needs, their human rights, and dignity.  Single mothers who live in poverty have specific, urgent needs, and their voice and circumstances are often absent from policies that impact their survival.

Asha is 47 years old and she works as a cook and assistant at Project Help India’s City Slums Centre. She was struggling with severe depression and high blood pressure since losing her partner. It’s been 15 years now that she is a widow, overwhelmed at the prospect of providing for herself and her children on her own. She lived in a rented single small room and once described her life as miserable. 

Asha describes the importance of SHINE Conference and her job;

“not only has Project Help India enabled me to provide for my children, it has become my sanctuary. I am surrounded by children who are also overcoming similar situations. We become each other’s support system. I also hope other women find inspiration in my story, seeing how far I have come as a woman, despite the circumstances. SHINE Conference is one of the highlights of my life every year."

Before her job as a cook in Project Help India Asha had been a domestic worker, spending long hours at her employer’s home, caring for their children, and away from her own. This was not enough earnings to meet all the needs of her family. Now with her new job as a cook she makes enough of a handful of money (3500rupees = $70AUS) per month with which she can fill the basic needs of her family of 7 kids and she can spend time with them too.

Because of SHINE Conference and the things she learns as a Project Help team member Asha says that she can push through the barriers in pursuit of a life with dignity, joy and positive aspirations for the future. 

Savriti - Superwoman and loved by all

Savriti is loved by all. From fighting superstitions to helping other women become independent, Savitri represents the true strength of an empowered woman.

In a traditional patriarchal society, where the identity and value of a woman is determined through her husband, widowhood is about much more than losing a husband. From changing the way she dresses to being treated with contempt by family members, especially in her marital home, there is a lot that she has to bear, often without complaining. From humiliation, harassment, loneliness and abandonment, there is nothing that a widow in India does not have to encounter. However when the going gets tough, there are those who rise up to the challenges, whatever the odds.

Savitri's Story

Here is an inspiring story of Mrs Savitri Devi, who did not have the means but still fought against all the absolute traditions that she was expected to follow after the death of her husband. 

Savitri is 60 years old. She lost her husband late Mr Ram Kumar in the year 2009. Incidentally Savitri has no savings as she hails from a lower middle income family and was not employed when her husband was around. She currently works as a cook in our Parmawala Jungle Education Centre. She takes out time to specially counselling young girls and their family members to say no to early marriage/child marriage, Savitri basically belongs to Bihar peoples and she was one who faced the consequences of being married in her childhood.

Savitri was once a very different person. She used to have a strong mindset believing in superstitions and casting spells. But after being part of Project Help India and after the education she received from the Women's SHINE Conference, and asking for follow up counselling and guidance she is no longer superstitious. She says that she has a sense of purpose and worth, and she no longer listens to messages that tell her that she is helpless and cannot make decisions about her future.

Savriti says that she now loves and values her daughter in law, whom she once hated. Her family is so much stronger and happier because of this.

Over ten years ago, after seeing her family’s miserable condition ‘Project Help India’ had also offered her son Sanjay a job as a teacher in Kadarganj Jungle Centre. He is now a torch bearer for the whole community of the village. 

Savitri says that she loves to attend the Women's SHINE Conference every year and she is one of the most excited ladies of all who attend. She loves to learn new things and she cherishes being a woman. Savriti is now regarded and celebrated as a "superwoman" (this is what many others in her community call her). She manages her family, she has a job making delicious food for our students, and even for guests from different parts of India and from abroad as well. She is determined to change the next generation too.

Savriti is loved by all. From fighting superstitions to helping other women become independent, Savitri represents the true strength of an empowered woman.

Empowered to SHINE

Seema is a young mother of four children. Despite living in significant poverty she is standing proudly in her house, which is located in a slum community in Bijnor. Two of Seema’s children attend our Bijnor Education Centre. At the end of 2022 we helped Seema by making some repairs to her house and providing her with new beds, warm blankets and kitchen utensils. Many women with a similar story to Seema will be attending SHINE. We hope that Seema is able to attend as well. We count it a great privilege and responsibility to advocate for her needs and to bring love and fight for greater equity to her life circumstances and her children’s future.

#Embrace Equity

Our fifth Women's SHINE Conference will be held this coming Saturday, 11th February. This annual event coincides with International Women’s Day which will be celebrated on 8th March. The theme for IWD this year is ‘embrace equity’ which is a theme that has great relevance for the many women who we work with and walk alongside through our many projects across Northern India.

This year SHINE will again be led by our local ‘Project Help India’ team. We are honoured and delighted to have between 500-600 delegates registered to attend. We have an amazing lineup of guest speakers who include; Mrs Ritu Khanduri -President Legislative Assembly, Mrs. Shweta Choubey -Senior Superintendent of Police, Miss Evangeline -Gynecologist and Women’s Health Expert, and Anukriti Gunsai who was former Miss India Grand International, crowned Miss World (Asia Pacific India) 2014. Anukriti is now a politician, an active social worker and advocate for minority groups across Northern India.

There is certainly a sense of excitement as we meet and talk with women in the community. Preparations are in full swing with buses booked to transport 200 women from a number of towns, villages and slum communities.

Through our work at ‘Project Help India’ we are providing hope through education and opportunities that many girls and women living in poverty would never have thought possible. Many of the women are the mothers of the kids who attend our education centres

Our conference aims to educate and empower women and in doing so, raise a new generation of women whose dignity, individual strengths, talents and purpose will create a strong, happy and healthy India. Through this conference we want to give them an experience they will never forget. The women especially love the opportunity for singing and dancing together.

Most of our delegates are women who live in slums, in poverty. These women can't afford to pay, so we are not charging them. 'Project Help India' covers all costs thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters. This year SHINE Conference will cost us a minimum of $7500 (which is $12.50 to $15 per delegate). Might you be able to sponsor some of our delegates? Your donation

We thank you for your ongoing support, prayers, interest and belief in what we are doing and achieving, with love from the Project Help India team.

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One of Seema’s neighbours who has also been invited to attend SHINE Conference