"Sister Aid"

Directly funded "Sister Aid" Programs

India ranks 122nd of 138 nations on gender equality. In some rural areas, more than fifty percent of girls are married before age fifteen. An estimated six thousand women are killed every year due to low dowry. Female literacy is still considerably lower than male literacy.

However, women make the best poverty fighters. Women use their earnings not only to feed their families, but to improve their families' quality of life as well as fund their children's education, giving the next generation a much better chance to live out of poverty. With $25 a month, a struggling woman can start her own business, a child can go to school.

EDUCATION and ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE: The Keys to Sustainability

In 2010, YGB developed "Sister Aid" to directly fund programs for education and the economic empowerment of mothers, daughters and orphans. So far, we have selected, visited, and partnered with successful Non Governmental Organizations NISHTHA in West Bengal, Deenabandhu in Chamarajnagar, and Grameen Koota in Bangalore.

We are thrilled to share the great outcome of YGB's direct funding program "Sister Aid" from its first year:

• Out of 22 women who received micro loans, 20 are successfully running their business today
• Most women repay fully by May 2012, and will get the 2nd loans
• Total income increased 400% among these women
• 22 daughters all remain in school, with 12 of them A grade
• One son advanced into the 2nd year at Dental Medical College, one girl advances to 2nd year in college and plans to major in fashion design technology
• Six children at orphanage remain fully educated and boarded

Based on this success and the growth in our revenue, YGB added 22 more mothers for micro loans and 22 daughters for education funding at NISHTHA, West Bengal. At D Trust Home in Karnataka, we added four more girls for their education and one mother for her business loan. With your continued support, we are committed to fund these 103 direct fund recipients for five years.

Read below to see how your contribution is transforming these women's lives.

Yoga Gives Back FUNDED PROGRAMS:

"Sister Aid: NISHTHA"

"Sister Aid: Deenabandhu"

"Sister Aid" Map

Donate and help YGB win"The Riser For Women Challenge", between April 24th and June 6th YGB was invited to enter this competition by Arianna Huffiington (the Huffington Post), Skoll Foundation and Half the Sky Movement!! Click below now.