Only 2 weeks until we 'shine' again

In just over two weeks the Project Help Team will host the SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conference in Punjab. We are very excited about the program that has been planned and we anticipate having a very powerful and special day, shared with about 500 delegates.

For India, our SHINE Conferences are unique and ground-breaking events, aiming to address the significant challenges that women face in local villages and slums. Life for many women in these communities is fraught with obstacles such as illiteracy, financial dependency, gender inequality, domestic violence, the alcohol and substance abuse of the husband and a lack of access to basic necessities like clean water, healthcare, and sanitation. These issues, combined with societal norms and discrimination, often leave women vulnerable and without a voice. Our SHINE Conference is dedicated to breaking this cycle of oppression and empowering women to take control of their own futures.

In Punjab, many women are trapped in a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and subjugation, which is further exacerbated by long-standing traditions like the dowry system. Families celebrate the birth of a boy but lament the birth of a girl, as she is often viewed as a financial burden due to dowry obligations and the limited opportunities afforded to women. This ingrained gender bias continues throughout a woman’s life, impacting her education, safety, and overall quality of life. Many women lack the skills or opportunities to support themselves, leaving them dependent on their families or spouses. Without access to education or vocational training, these women are trapped in a life where their potential remains unfulfilled.

Our SHINE conference is designed to disrupt this status quo. Through a series of talks across the day, the women (and quite a few men too) will gain valuable knowledge about their rights, personal safety, financial independence, and the importance of psychological empowerment. The conference will also address crucial issues such as domestic violence, gender-based discrimination, and the stigma surrounding violence against women. By equipping women with the knowledge and skills they need to break free from oppressive cycles, SHINE aims to foster resilience, self-sufficiency, and confidence. We also seek to educate community leaders (who have been invited to attend) making them both aware and accountable for providing resources and support to local women.

Ultimately, SHINE’s goal is to empower women not only to change their own lives but also to inspire and educate future generations about women’s rights and the power of self-advocacy. Together, we can build a brighter, more equitable future for women in Punjab and across India.

We cannot do this alone - can you support us?

The success of the SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conference depends on the generosity of supporters like you. Your donation will directly impact the lives of marginalized women, providing them with the resources, education, and tools they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and discrimination. By giving generously, you will be investing in the future of these women, their families, and their communities. Together, we can create lasting change and empower a generation of women to rise, lead, and inspire others. Please join us in making a difference. Every contribution counts. 

You can make your donation by clicking the DONATE button at the top of this page.

Thank you so much.

India is one of the most unsafe places for women and what we’re doing about it

Our second Annual SHINE Conference in Punjab will provide a platform for vulnerable women to gain critical skills, knowledge, and support, empowering them to assert their rights and secure a safer, more equitable future. Our first conference last year was incredible with most of the girls looking forward to coming again.

The tragic stories of sexual violence in India, such as the 2012 gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in New Delhi and the recent murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, highlight the stark reality that women in India continue to face. Despite the nation’s aspirations to be a global leader, it remains one of the most unsafe places for women. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, (24 August, 2024) these incidents expose the deep-rooted issues of gender-related violence, which persists even as Indian women make strides in the workforce and society.

In response to these ongoing challenges, Project Help India is proud to host its second 'SHINE' Women's Empowerment Conference in Punjab this October. This event is specifically designed for slum and marginalised women, who are often the most vulnerable to violence and exploitation. SHINE will provide a platform for these women to gain critical skills, knowledge, and support, empowering them to assert their rights and secure a safer, more equitable future.

The Supreme Court of India’s recent involvement in cases of gender-based violence reflects a growing recognition of the need for systemic change. However, true transformation requires more than just legal reforms; it requires a shift in societal attitudes and the empowerment of women at the grassroots level. SHINE aims to be a catalyst for this change, equipping women with the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their communities.

As we prepare for this important conference, we invite all those who are committed to gender equality and women's rights to support our efforts. The stories of Nirbhaya and the Kolkata doctor serve as painful reminders of the work that still needs to be done. By empowering women through education, skill-building, and community support, SHINE seeks to break the cycle of violence and help build a safer, more just society for all women.

Candlelight Rally

The work of Project Help India extends beyond immediate interventions to long-term education and empowerment, particularly for young students and especially girls. In conjunction with our efforts through the SHINE conference, we are deeply committed to raising awareness about women's rights and the importance of respectful relationships among the younger generation. This commitment was demonstrated just this week on Girl Child Protection Day when our Ladpura Slum Centre in Bijnor organised a peaceful candlelight rally, with all the children of the centre participating.

The primary objective of this event was to express dissent against the heinous crimes of violence, exploitation, and rape perpetrated against girls and women in society and the nation, and to educate them about their rights and entitlements, along with child protection safety lessons.

Such initiatives are crucial in equipping young minds with the knowledge and confidence to stand up for themselves and others. By educating students, especially girls, about their rights and the importance of mutual respect, we are laying the foundation for a future where gender-based violence is no longer tolerated, and where every individual, regardless of gender, can live in safety and dignity. The SHINE conference, alongside these ongoing educational efforts, underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of respect, empowerment, and equality from the ground up.

Together, we can help build a world where every girl and woman feels valued, protected, and empowered to achieve her fullest potential.

We need your help to do what we’re doing

1.     Please spread the word about our SHINE Conference in Punjab this October, and help us make a difference in the lives of women who deserve to feel safe, valued, and empowered. Share the link to our blog on your Facebook, repost on LinkedIn or other social media.

2.     Can you donate $150 (tax deductible) to sponsor 10 women to attend?

3.     Might your business, school or church like to be a major sponsor for our SHINE event. Your tax deductible donation of $7500 would cover the majority of our expenses. Please reach out to me (Doug) directly if this is something you might consider.

You can DONATE by clicking HERE

SHINE 2023 in Punjab delegates

Meet Our Team in Punjab

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Lives Transformed and Changed

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Meet our Team in Kotdwara, the remote Jungle villages in Uttarakhand and in Bijnor

Directors - Mr Amit and Daisy Samuel

Administration Staff – Anosh and Simran (full time)

Sewing Centre - Our teacher is Chanda.

River Slum Centre - Our teacher is Susheela, and our cook is Usha Kashyap.

City Centre - Our teacher is Simran and our cook is Tulsi.

Disability Centre - Our teachers are Mehrab and Koshelya. Due to significant food allergies for many students we are not able to provide meals at this centre.

Village Bagnala - Our teacher is Neelam, and our cook is Vajyanti

Village Parmawala - Our teacher is Rakhi and our cook is Savitri Devi

Village Kadarganj - Our teacher is Sanjay and our cook is Masar Bibi

Village Pranwala - Our teacher is Santosh and our cook is Santosh Family

Taking it to the streets - International Day Against Drug Abuse

This week (June 26th) Project Help India proudly organised a significant rally in Zira City, Punjab, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse. This event was a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to combat drug addiction and foster community awareness about this pressing issue.

The rally, which saw the enthusiastic participation of over 120 youths and women, began at Moti Bagh Park and proceeded to Clock Tower House. For two and a half hours, participants chanted powerful slogans and distributed informative pamphlets detailing the severe impacts of drug addiction. Our aim was to shine a spotlight on the growing menace of drug abuse among the younger generation and the detrimental effects it has on individuals, families, and society at large.

Drug addiction is a grave concern that leads to a cascade of problems including mental health issues, broken relationships, social isolation, and even death. The rally served as a platform to spread awareness about these challenges and emphasise the importance of prevention and support for those affected.

We were honored to receive special permission from the SDM office (Subdivisional Magistrate) for this event, and we greatly appreciate the support and encouragement from local police officers, community leaders, and residents of Zira City. Their involvement was instrumental in the success of the rally and showcased a collective commitment to addressing drug addiction.

Looking ahead, Project Help India is determined to expand this initiative across every village, town, and city in Punjab. Our goal is to transform Punjab into a drug-free state through awareness programs, creative educational skits, and robust community engagement. We are assembling a skilled team equipped with the necessary resources, including costumes and educational materials, to make our outreach efforts more impactful.

We are just devastated to see the constant impact of drugs on innocent children (nearly all who attend our centres are directly impacted in one way or another) - with some of the littlest of kids who we care for, addicted to heroin or smack. Some kids are brain damaged by accidentally ingesting drugs that their parents leave in the house whilst high. 

We seek your support as we embark on this ambitious journey to help individuals break free from the chains of drug addiction and build a healthier, stronger community for the future. Someone has to do this. There is no one else in this community who is taking a stand ...so Project Help India is fighting this curse to our children, their families and community and taking it to the streets. Say no to drugs!

It got up to 52.9 degrees in the slum this week - this is how we helped

It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. Northern India is presently experiencing an unprecedented heat wave. The temperature has been ridiculously hot, with no respite in sight. When you live in a slum, there’s certainly no western comforts , no AC, no cold fridge to keep your food fresh, just relentless heat made worse by corrugated iron sheeting and black plastic roofing. Add a sewer that flows by your door, you can probably imagine how bad it is.

I’m so proud of our team, who exemplified kindness and compassion in action … they couldn’t do much but they came up with the idea to deliver cold drinks - offering a friendly smile, a word of encouragement as well as checking in on the welfare of the elderly, mothers with babies, and with the parents of children who attend our centres. If you look closely at some of the images below, you will see that many families are still living on a busy roadside- still displaced from the monsoon floods from back in August last year.

Basically it sucks! Yet in the midst of the many desperate moments, there is friendship, resilience, some laughs, conversations, human connections and smiles to be found.

Jesus commands us to love our neighbour - for me this is what I think he was talking about. No matter where you are - can I encourage you to look out for your neighbour, what is the human need that you see in front of you? If you are serious in doing so, open your eyes, that need and the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life will not be hard to find.

Remember, It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.

We can't do any of this without your help. Might you be able to pay for another round of cold drinks? $100 is all it costs and the impact is immeasurable. Click DONATE above. Thank you.

Yuvraj's Story - Inclusive Education changes lives

We are so proud of Yuvraj and believe that the sky is the limit for him. 

When a family's helplessness stops their son from going to school

…and when a teacher intervenes and brings hope.

Yuvraj, a 13-year-old from a small village called Phillaur in Western Punjab, has faced significant obstacles to his education due to familial dysfunction and financial constraints. Conflict and disturbances at home disrupted his studies, causing Yuvraj to pull out of school. His mother's mental health issues, and his father's despondency compounded the challenges, resulting in neglect and abuse towards their son. Without parental support and lacking financial resources, Yuvraj's future appeared bleak - both of his parents were in a state of helplessness and in no place to think about their son's education, so essentially he spent most of his days keeping out of harm’s way.

However, intervention from Anjali, a teacher from the local Project Help India Education Centre, offered a glimmer of hope. Anjali introduced Yuvraj and his family to the centre, highlighting the benefits of education. Encouraged by the potential opportunities that were presented by Anjali,  Yuvraj's father enthusiastically enrolled him.

With support and guidance Yuvraj has flourished academically, emerging as one of our brightest students. His renewed interest in learning prompted him to rejoin his local school. Once again, it was Anjali who assisted his enrolment, advocating for Yevraj's situation.

Through consistent attendance and application to his studies, Yuvraj's father talks proudly about his son's remarkable progress, bringing newfound happiness, and a sense of hope to their home. The transformation in Yuvraj's life underscores the vital role of the Project Help India Education Centres have in intervening for these marginalised kids and offering them a pathway to a brighter future - breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and bringing hope and purpose to their lives.

We are so proud of Yuvraj and believe that the sky’s the limit for him. 

www.projecthelpindia.co
Project Help India tackles the dire circumstances faced by India's marginalised Dalit community, offering education to children living in slums or remote villages, who would otherwise be vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. By providing education centres (with meals where possible), parenting programs, and counselling, we seek to change societal attitudes towards education, particularly for the most marginalised, especially targeting children with disabilities. Our holistic approach aims to break the cycle of inequality and poverty, advocating for, and bringing hope and opportunity to some of the world’s poorest children, who would otherwise be trapped in a life of hardship, deprivation, and limited opportunities.

Project Help India has 6 centres in the state of Punjab with 222 students (ages 4 to 17) at a recent count. All up we have 13 Education Centres across 3 states in Northern India with a little under 600 enrolments in total.