VIDYA Children's Education Fund
Donation protected
'Tis the season of giving and I thought I would give back to community in a different way this year. I have been working pro bono for a non-profit called VIDYA (means: Knowledge in Hindi) that caters to providing free education to children from marginalized communities primarily in urban slums across the major cities in India. For 32 years, VIDYA has been a grassroots organization addressing the lack of quality education and empowerment opportunities among lesser privileged children and youth through holistically-designed programs imparting skills to succeed to youth and fostering literacy and awareness among community members at large.
Annually, we impact 6000 children by implementing holistic learning programs and 250 youth through employability courses, while working across 8marginalized communities and 17 low-income schools. With 100% pass rate at SSC boards, empowered by the Scholarship Scheme, all of our alumni go on for higher education, many of them choosing medicine and engineering too, thus breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and lack of education. These youth are not only doing well for themselves but are also undertaking projects that transform the communities that they belong to! This is the social change brought about by VIDYA - from Education to Employability to Empowerment.
Why exactly are we introducing ourselves to you?
It's because 'YOU CAN HELP US CREATE A BIGGER IMPACT'
How, you may ask?
The Tata Mumbai Marathon is amongst the top ten fundraising marathons in the world. VIDYA has been a participant for over 7 years now. Last year we raised around 15 lakhs which has been utilized for imparting quality programs and Scholarshipaid to deserving VIDYA beneficiaries.
Now, it's that time of the year again! We want to raise more money so that we can use it where it's needed the most. You can #RUNFORVIDYA and help us achieve our goals!
This year, we are trying to raised approximately 8000 dollars, that will fund the entire education of the VIDYA children all the way through college. I am trying to do my part and raise $1500-$2000 (Which is insanely ambitious), but I would appreciate if we could get more people involved. In advance, I would like to thank you all for any contribution, small or large ($1, $5, $10, $20)! I am usually suspicious of charities, but this is a worthy cause that I believe in. The cost of a morning coffee could change a child's life!
You can learn more about what they do as well at:
http://vidya-india.org/
Organizer
Abhik Banerji
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
