“This is my dream job.”
– Rekha Naskar, SHE scholarship graduate, West Bengal
Ten years ago, we visited Rekha Naskar and her family at their home in a rural village of West Bengal. They were facing poverty, and Rekha was nearly subjected to marriage when she was fifteen but YGB’s SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) Program offered her a different path. Today, having earned a Bachelor’s degree, Rekha teaches 30 children from the lower caste at a night shelter in the red district who are not able to attend school during the day due to stigma.
Rekha’s story exemplifies how YGB’s programs provide more than money: most importantly, they offer opportunities to build sustainable, independent livelihoods through which they can pursue their dreams and create their own true happiness in life.
We visited NISHTHA, our NGO partner since 2010, in South Kolkata, West Bengal. Today, we empower 546 mothers with micro-loans and more than 600 young daughters with primary education. Our SHE Program now supports 300 girls every year to aim for college degrees. We’ve witnessed nearly 200 girls graduate with bachelor’s degrees and become real change-makers in their families and communities.
YGB is blessed to work with incredible leaders at NISHTHA. Mina Das, Manami Das and all the social workers’ dedication has empowered nearly 40,000 underserved girls, women, and families in this poor rural region since 1970’s.
Global Ambassadors – Anouk Prop (The Netherlands), Harmony Slater (Canada), Kay Epple (USA), Lauren Peterson (USA) and supporter Kendy Veazie (USA) joined me on this trip.
Your support is truly making generational impact with true empowerment.
MORE FROM OUR SEVA TRIP…
DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM HELPING VILLAGERS
Two girls who were trained at YGB’s Digital Center have opened “Village Service Center” to teach basic computer skills to youth in their community and help villagers deposit money.
FATHERS MEETING
Engaging fathers is critical to promote girls education. Many fathers are now recognizing its value and support their daughters’ education for brighter future.
EDUCATED DAUGHTERS TEAMING UP WITH MOMS
One SHE scholarship graduate is teaming up with her mother to grow their retail business. Another student is helping her mom with the expansion of their tailoring busines.
