There may be nothing more rewarding than the chance to empower young girls to climb out of poverty. On our inspiring 10-day tour of India, participants learn about the important work of the Kiran Anjali Project, whose mission is to help underprivileged girls in India get a good education.
The power of educating girls has a huge impact on all of society, particularly in developing countries where 31 million girls of primary school age are not enrolled in school. The positive impact of girls’ education has been shown to transcend generations, resulting in better health outcomes among women, their children, and eventually their grandchildren. For example, girls who receive an education marry later, have fewer children, and are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their children.
To learn more, we share this 2013 UNESCO report which reveals some important facts about the educating girls, which we have also highlighted below.
If girls stayed in school beyond grade 7, they would be:
More likely to marry 4 years later
Less likely to die in pregnancy/childbirth
More likely to have an average of 2.2 fewer children
More likely to have healthier children
More likely to send their children to school
Would you like to directly help a girl attend school in India, where there is a great need? The Kiran Anjali Project is a Washington State-based nonprofit that partners with existing charities in India working to educate some of that country’s poorest children. Two of the organization's important projects include:
Baale Mane is a long-term home for over 50 vulnerable girls ages 7 – 21 in a village outside Bangalore. Many of the girls are orphans or have been rescued from child labor, domestic violence, living on the streets, or dangerous family situations. Baale Mane provides a safe and loving environment for the girls, enrolling them in local schools.
Carnation Learning Center is a preschool and learning support center serving children from the inner-city slums of Bangalore. Carnation provides preschool education for up to 100 students using an English-based curriculum, teaching the basis of reading, writing, and mathematics. Students receive two nutritious meals per day, hygiene products, field trips, and other enrichment.
To learn more in person, please join Global Family Travels at the Kiran Anjali Project’s fundraiser luncheon on Thursday, March 21st. There will be a delicious Indian buffet lunch, henna artists and a moving presentation. If you attend, please stop by Global Family Travels table at the event to say hello, and learn about the KAP Donor Trip to India taking place June 22-July 3, 2019!
Learn more about this trip from Debra Williamson, 2017 trip participant of the KAP Donor Trip to India:
“I have always been fascinated by India, and getting the chance to visit this exhilarating country with other donors to the Kiran Anjali Project was the perfect blend of culture, charity and sightseeing. What touched me the most about this trip, organized by Global Family Travels, were the one-on-one experiences of seeing the projects that KAP supports. After visiting the Wings School, Carnation Learning Center and Baale Mane, I have a better understanding of what life is like in India if you are a child of poverty.” (read full blog post here: Finding Friendship with the Kiran Anjali Project).
The trip was also featured in AARP magazine with a nice quote from our client, Sarah LeClercq (see Girls Rising feature): Shaking Up Thanksgiving: Travel the Globe, Give Back and Raise and Activist along the Way!