Urgent appeal from Punjab: Stand with families facing devastating floods

Today, I write to you with a heavy heart and an urgent plea on behalf of families affected by the floods in Punjab. The situation is worsening by the hour. Rain continues, with predictions for at least another week, and flood levels are rising across a vast expanse of land. We have grave fears for the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable and marginalised people, including many of the children who rely on our Project Help India Education Centres.

The devastation has been overwhelming. Entire villages are submerged, homes have been destroyed, and families are left stranded with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In Village Gatti Rajo Ke, where one of our centres stands at the border, the situation is especially dire. People who once had safe homes are now forced to live by the roadside, exposed to rain and hardship, without food, clean drinking water, or shelter.

Our immediate concern is ensuring that the families connected to Project Help India through our Education Centres receive the help they need. This way the children who attend our centres will be assured that we are standing by them. We want you to know that we stand alongside these families, easing their suffering and misery at this difficult time.

You must see these images to believe the extent of the flooding…

Right now, 50 families are in desperate need. To bring them relief, we aim to provide each family with a ration kit worth ₹2,500, containing groceries, sanitary pads, bottled water, dried milk, and other essentials to sustain them through these critical days. The total required is ₹1,25,000 (approx. AUD 2,180).

If we reach our target quickly, we will mobilise immediate relief—food that fills stomachs, hygiene items that protect dignity, and essentials that shield families from further hardship. Your timely support can mean the difference between hunger and nourishment, despair and hope. Every contribution—big or small—will go directly toward saving lives and restoring dignity to those who have lost everything.

In moments like these, compassion becomes the strongest form of action. Please extend your hand of kindness and stand with us in bringing relief to these suffering families. If you can, donate today and share this appeal with friends, colleagues, and networks across the world.

Together, we can be the reason someone sleeps with food tonight and wakes up with hope tomorrow. Please make your tax deductible donation by using the DONATE button at the top of this page.

With gratitude,

Saleem Masih

Director Project Help India, Punjab

A Beautiful Lesson from the Hindu Faith: Celebrating Raksha Bandhan

Last week across India, people of the Hindu faith celebrated Raksha Bandhan — a joyful and deeply meaningful festival honouring the bond between brothers and sisters. Raksha Bandhan means ‘safety promise.’ On this day, sisters tie a colourful thread, called a rakhi, on their brothers’ wrists as a symbol that their brother will protect them in every circumstance and not let harm come their way. Brothers, in turn, often give gifts to their sisters as a gesture of love and appreciation. If separated by distance, sisters will send their rakhis by mail, a tradition that continues no matter where life takes them.

This festival is more than a ritual. It is a heartfelt reminder of the unbreakable love between siblings — a love that protects, nurtures, and endures.

At our Project Help India centres, we embraced this celebration with our own students. Children learned about the tradition and then created their own “safety promise” bands by hand. They tied them to their siblings or friends, making heartfelt promises to look out for and care for one another. The classrooms were filled with joy, laughter, and an unmistakable sense of love and family bonding. It was a very special day.

For me, this experience was a powerful reminder that, when we choose to be open, we can learn so much from faiths and cultures different to our own. These moments can deepen our respect and empathy for one another as we share this world together.

The lesson of Raksha Bandhan is simple yet profound: love protects, promises matter, and family, in whatever form it takes, is worth cherishing and defending. Let us take what we have learned from this beautiful tradition and use it as an opportunity to reach out to our own brothers and sisters. May we choose to resolve conflict, heal old wounds, live in gratitude and remember the importance of family and the bonds that keep us together.

The smiles on the children's faces demonstrate their pride and happiness in having this opportunity to celebrate their brothers and sisters. At Project Help India, we think it's beautiful!​

Powerful Impact: Noisy Learning, and the Sound of Joy

Students at our Centre at Village Kadarganj - a traditional Islamic Village. Here the houses are mostly built of bamboo with thatched roofs, walls and floor of the village houses are painted by a mixture of dirt, grass and cow manure. Here there are no indoor toilets, and no electricity connected to the grid.

If you've ever heard the laughter of children as they sing and dance, you’ll know that music does more than entertain. It inspires, unites, and heals. In our 13 Project Help India education centres, where resources are few and life in extreme poverty is harsh, music is one of the most powerful tools we have.

For many of the children in our slum and jungle communities, music is the first learning “technology” they experience. It’s through simple speakers, YouTube clips and the like, that they learn songs, build confidence, and come alive, performing in class and on stage during cultural events. It’s how they learn, celebrate, and importantly for kids, they laugh and have loads of fun. .

Five years ago, thanks to the generosity of Australian donors, we equipped all our centres with music and PA systems. These brought joy and new opportunities to literally thousands of children. But after years of constant use in tough conditions, most of these systems are now broken or unreliable. With Indian Independence Day celebrations approaching on August 10, our staff and students are desperate to bring the music back.

We need to purchase 8 new good-quality music systems, each costing around ₹12,000 ($210AUD), for a total of ₹96,000 ($1,700AUD).

Your donation will go directly to:

• Replacing broken music equipment in 8 of our centres

• Supporting cultural education through dance, drama and song

• Giving children a voice - literally and figuratively

Our call for help isn’t just about sound systems. It’s about dignity, hope, celebration, and giving every child the chance to shine on stage and off.

If you’re in a position to help—even with a small gift—please consider supporting this appeal today. Let’s bring music, movement, and meaning back into these children's lives.

Donate now by clicking the DONATE button at the top of this page and help us make some beautiful noise for all the right reasons.

Our Lead photo is taken at Village Kadarganj is a traditional Islamic Village. Here the houses are mostly built of bamboo with thatched roofs, walls and floor of the village houses are painted by a mixture of dirt, grass and cow manure. Before and after rain, these houses need a maintenance every time. Most of the people who live in this village use to rear 2 or 3 cattle like cows or buffaloes for their milk and milk products, collectively they get 3 to 5 litres of milk every day. They travel 8 kms to the nearby towns to sell them in the market and get a fist full amount of money to buy some food. Selling milk is the only source of income for these people. One of the struggles these people face during monsoon is when it rains heavily they can’t reach to the town due to the flooded rivers that surround the village. There is no healthy water supply. River water, a well and a hand pump are the main source of water. There are no indoor toilets, and no electricity.

The educational status of the people in this village was not so good at all. ‘Project Help’ is the first organisation to think of their education and future. But now when we are running our child friendly education centre in this area, the kids are getting quality education and we have admitted them to government schools. As with the other villages, the government schools are 5 to 8 kms away and it is particularly dangerous for the girls to walk to school. Approximately 40 children attend this centre on a daily basis.

When the School Said No, Love Said Yes

16 Surgeries., and not giving up. Raghav attends the Project Help India Disability Centre with joy and enthusiasm every day. Here, he has face a place to belong. We love him and he makes our world and lives all the better for knowing him.

Twelve-year-old Raghav lives with his family in a slum community in Gadi Ghat, Kotdwar. Born with a severe physical disability -his legs joined together, he has endured 16 unsuccessful surgeries and is still unable to walk or be mobile without assistance.

His family lives in extreme poverty. His father, Rajeev, works as a casual labourer and cook at local weddings when work is available. His mother, Pooja, stays at home to care for Raghav and his two siblings. Life is incredibly difficult, and there are few resources to support a child with a disability.

Despite his desire to learn, Raghav was denied enrolment at the government school because of his condition. This discrimination is heartbreaking—and all too common, leaving many children like Raghav isolated and without hope.

Thanks to generous donors like you, Project Help India intervened. Today, Raghav attends our Disability Education Centre, where he is welcomed with open arms. He receives a free, inclusive education in a place where he is safe, valued, and supported.

Education brings hope and possibility for this little boy’s future -something his parents thought might never be possible.

This opportunity has transformed not only his life but the lives of his whole family.

Thank you for making stories like Raghav’s possible.

The Time Is Now

Over the past few months, we have shared some deeply moving stories from the heart of Northern India—stories of real people whose lives are being transformed through the work of Project Help India.

You’ve met the women empowered through our Sewing Centre…
The children walking barefoot for miles just to learn in our jungle classrooms…
The families receiving life-saving treatment at our pop-up medical clinics…
And entire communities being reminded that they are seen, known, and loved.

Alongside these powerful stories, we must now share a pressing reality. We’ve come to a critical moment, and we need to speak openly about where things stand.

While our impact is real and growing, our funding is not keeping pace. At current levels, we only have enough money to continue our programs for another 9 months.

To keep going strong for the next year, we need to raise a minimum of $25,000, which we are hoping to do by the end of the Australian financial year (30 June). This amount covers approximately three months of our operating costs, and with your help, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that we can continue to show up for the people who are depending on us.

So we’re asking:
If you’ve been touched by any of the stories we’ve shared—please act.
If your heart has been stirred—please give.

👉 [Donate Now] using the DONATE button at the top of this page

• Every donation over $2 is tax-deductible in Australia.

• $50 supports a week of school for a child.

• $100 provides training and supplies for a woman at our Sewing Centre.

• $500 can deliver medical care to a remote village.

If your organisation or business would like to partner with us or make a significant donation, please reach out to us directly. I would love to speak with you about how you can make a lasting impact.

Your generosity today will help us continue this essential work—not just for the next 9 months, but for the long haul. Let’s keep the hope alive.

With our heartfelt thanks,

Aarti’s Story: A Ray of Hope from the Slums of Ferozepur

In the narrow, dusty lanes of a slum in Ferozepur, Punjab, lives a bright-eyed nine-year-old girl named Aarti. She comes from a struggling family of seven. Her father, Gopi, works as a daily wage laborer (earning no more than $2 a day), and her mother, Mala, supports the family by doing household chores and cleaning in others' homes. With four siblings and limited resources, education was never a priority in their home, survival always came first.

From a young age, Aarti developed a deep fear of school. She once witnessed a teacher beating a child, and the incident left a lasting impression on her. Since then, she resisted the idea of going to school. Her parents, overwhelmed by their daily hardships and unaware of the value of education, never encouraged her to attend school. They didn’t even have her Aadhaar card* made, which is an essential identification document in India that is usually required for school admission and access to basic services.

But Aarti's life began to change when she started attending a free learning centre run by Project Help India. Under the compassionate care and guidance of her teacher, Blessy, Aarti found a safe and welcoming place where learning was joyful and encouraging. Her natural intelligence quickly became evident, and she began taking great interest in her studies.

Seeing her potential, Blessy took the initiative to go beyond the classroom. She helped Aarti’s family apply for and obtain her Aadhaar card - something they had never managed to do before. Blessy then reached out to local government schools to secure Aarti’s admission. Initially, the school authorities were hesitant. They were very reluctant to enrol a nine-year-old girl who had never attended formal education before. But Blessy did not give up. After many conversations and follow-ups, her persistence paid off. The school finally agreed to admit Aarti in the upcoming academic session.

Today, Aarti continues to attend the Project Help India centre with enthusiasm and is preparing to step into formal schooling for the first time in her life. Her parents, once indifferent to her education, are now supportive and hopeful. They are amazed at the progress Aarti has made and are thankful for the second chance their daughter has been given.

Aarti’s story is not just about her, - it is about the power of compassion, commitment, and community. It shows how a caring teacher from Project Help India centre supported by the generosity of our many donors and supporters, can transform the life of a child, giving her not just education, but dignity, identity, and hope for a brighter future.

Help Us Reach More Children Like Aarti

There are hundreds of children in the slums of Punjab with the same potential, but without the opportunity. Your support can help us bring education, care, and hope to them.

With your donation, we can provide school supplies, basic documentation like Aadhaar cards, nutritious meals, and a safe place to learn. It costs approximately $50AUD a month to educate a child at one of our 13 centres across Northern India. All up we have approximately 600 students attending.

Be the reason a child like Aarti gets her first chance at school.
Together, we can break the cycle of poverty—one child at a time.

Partner with Project Help India today. Every contribution counts. You can make a life-changing donation by clicking the DONATE button at the top of this page.

An Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India. It serves as proof of identity and address and is essential for accessing various government services and financial transactions. The Aadhaar system aims to provide a universal identity for all residents, facilitating social and financial inclusion. 

Stitching a New Future: Empowering Women Through Tailoring

Over the past 7 years, Project Help India’s Sewing Education Center has transformed the lives of 84 women and girls from some of the poorest communities we serve. Through our 6-month, fully-funded training program, these women—who would otherwise have no opportunity to learn—are mastering the art of tailoring and gaining skills that empower them to earn an income with dignity.

Today, many of these women work from home or operate small shops, stitching garments like Indian salwar suits, shirts, pajamas, and kurtis—clothing always in high demand in India. With their new skills, they are now able to cover essential household expenses including rent, groceries, electricity, and their children's school fees.

The Sewing Center is more than a classroom—it’s a lifeline. With your support, we provide sewing machines, fabric, threads, and all necessary materials. But we need your help to keep this vital work going and to expand our reach to more women in need.

Impact at a Glance:

• 84 women and girls trained in 7 years

• Free 6-month tailoring courses

• Women now earning an income and supporting their families

• Breaking cycles of poverty through practical education

• Access to counselling and emotional support

• A safe, welcoming haven away from abuse and hardship

• A place to laugh, grow, and build lasting, trusted friendships

Together, we can stitch hope into the lives of many more women. Your donation goes a very long way and makes a huge difference in the lives of these young women - it’s a dream come true for them and a chance to escape the vicious cycle of a life in poverty. You can make your tax deductible donation at the top of this page.

Learning in Forgotten Places

In October last year, Rowena and I (Doug) had the privilege of visiting our 14th and newest education centre, deep in the remote jungle village of Puranwala, near Kotdwara. This community—where nearly 100% of the population is illiterate—is now experiencing the transformative power of education for the very first time.

We were inspired by Santosh, our enthusiastic local teacher, whose passion is lighting the way for children who had never before set foot in a classroom. We met village elders, heard their stories, and as always, were moved by the children who are so full of energy, determination, and genuine gratitude for the opportunity to learn.

Many of the 32 students at our Puranwala Centre walk courageously for hours in both directions, through the jungle five days a week. They travel muddy tracks, cross riverbeds, and face dangers most children will never know—all to reach a small centre made of hope and courage. The village itself, located inside Jim Corbett National Park, has no school, no electricity, no transport, no market, and no healthcare. But it now has something powerful: the light of learning.

Despite the dust, the rain, and the long journey, these children show up each day with joy in their eyes and dreams in their hearts. They know that education is their only chance to change their story.

Their hunger to learn is humbling. Their resilience is inspiring.

You can help them write a brighter future.

Sponsor a day of learning, joy, and hope for just a small monthly gift. Your support helps us provide teaching, supplies, and a safe place to learn right where no one else will go.

👉 Please donate now to sponsor a month of learning at Puranwala. $50 a month is all it takes. Click the DONATE button at the top of this page.

Let’s walk with them—every dusty step of the way.