Happy Horizons Trust works to improve the quality of education in schools by empowering the youth. Our core belief is that strengthening the primary school education at the grassroots level and empowering women are the key for the development of societies. We are looking to raise $15000 USD to be able to cover the scholarship costs for the year.
Cost Breakup
Total Scholarship for champion per year 400 USD X 30 champions = $12000
Program Coordinators Salary = 250 per month X 12 months = $3000
TOTAL : $ 15000
YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Happy Horizons Trust focuses on the development of society by strengthening the primary school education by empowering the youth. Through the Youth Leadership Development program, we train young girls to engage with primary school children in various educational activities. In a two-way process of learning and development, our fellows (girls) are empowered through various training on storytelling and activity based learning. Monthly stipend provided in the form of academic scholarship, allows them to feel financially empowered. Repeated sessions in the classrooms, enables the professional and personal development of the girls. The students participate in highly engaging sessions of learning driven by storytelling and rooted in activities.
WHO ARE THE GIRLS WE EMPOWER
The social fabric of where we work, rural Bihar is really complex. From early girl child marriages to high dropouts from schools, from lack of opportunity to often being called a burden to the family; the society has everything that prevents the girls from progressing. They are often not encouraged to think independently and have no say in important matters related to their own life (marriage, working, higher education). 
A lot therefore just comes down to access and low exposure to what’s possible. By providing opportunities we are able to bring in an immense personal and professional transformation amongst the girls. 
THE LEARNING CRISIS IN CHILDREN
A lot of the poor learning in schools is attributed to the lack of motivation amongst children, who themselves are first generational school goers. The shortage of teachers and the highly disengaging classes does not create a conducive environment for learning. To make matters worse a majority of the children in the schools have suffered from malnutrition in their early childhood years, and as a result show stunted growth and reduced learning abilities. As a result many students do not have age appropriate levels of development. For example, 50% of children in grade 5 could not read a grade 2 text. 
Activities in the schools are designed to emphasise on the overall learning and development of the child. 
Here's a small video that explains the work and its impact. (Hindi with English Subtitles)
THE IMPACT WE HAVE SEEN
Over the past 5 years, we have empowered 31 champions (youth girls) working with different schools outreaching over 6000 students in Saharsa district of rural Bihar in India. Few of our alumni have continued to work on education as teachers in private schools, some have started giving tuition classes to the students and some have joined Happy Horizons Trust as the Champion's Coordinators. Some of them have become entrepreneurs by setting up their community level start-up of designing, stitching, weaving and embroidery on fabrics. The children show better learning abilities, are more inspired to come to the schools. they have better reading abilities and there is a substantial increase in the attendance in the schools.
FUNDING BREAKUP
The cost for supporting the training of one champion for a year is approximately 400 USD. Currently we need to support 30 champions. This includes their stipends and contributes to their training cost. That is only 33 USD per month. Each champion then goes on to impact another 150-200 students in schools.
Total Scholarship for champion per year 400 USD X 30 champions = $12000
Program Coordinators Salary = 250 USD per month X 12 months = $3000
TOTAL : $ 15000
ABOUT ME (FUNDRAISER)
I am a Indiana University graduate of the class of 2009. Post my graduation I moved back to India in May 2009, to help more children in schools in rural India get a better education. I am committed to the cause of empowering women and children in Rural Communities in India as I strongly believe that it is a key aspect to the development of society. Moreover, education is the only tool that provides a pathway out of poverty.
The non-profit organisation Happy Horizons Trust I established in 2013 with my wife is been working in the state of Bihar (India's most backward state) for the past 6 years now. We have been working with an amazing set of women, and have seen ample evidences of change in the classrooms and the empowerment of girls. This fundraiser will help us engage with these girls for another year.