The uniform worn at PPES!

Studies conducted by Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) out of Yale University have shown that providing a girl with a school uniform has a dramatic influence on school attendance and drop out rates. In addition to depositing 10 rupees (~$.25) in a nest-egg for each day a girl attends school, Pardada Pardadi also provides all students with a uniform set at the beginning of each year, which can be donated for just $18 dollars!

The breakdown of costs is:

450 Rupees (~$10) – Two sets of school uniforms
300 Rupees (~$6) – One sweater, and one pair of shoes and socks
100 Rupees (~$2) – Uniform delivery

For Asha (literally ‘Hope’), life was once without options. She spent the entire day in household tasks. She never went to school. And she had no say whatsoever in her life.

Until the day she walked into the Pardada Pardadi Girls Vocational School and destiny smiled. Within months, she picked up basic academic skills. And with each passing day, her leadership skills blossomed. Soon, Asha was declared the best student in class and flew to the US on a two-month exposure program.

Today Asha teaches at the Pardada Pardadi school. She is financially independent and secure. Her life revolves around multiple options. In her village, Asha has become every little girl’s living inspiration. Her life is indeed full of ‘Asha’…

Courtesy of Pardada Pardadi

With a father who sold produce in the village and a mother who stayed home with the kids, Kusum didn’t have much glamour in her life. In fact, when she looked around at the other families in her village, she was pretty depressed: fathers working long hours for little pay, mothers taking care of the family, both powerless to change the course of their lives.

However, in 2000, Kusum and her family found a glimmer of hope – Pardada Pardadi Girls Vocational School. There, as she learned English, math and science, she also learned self-confidence, empowerment and the value of social and financial independence.

While at school, Kusum began to sketch, and the school manager quickly noticed her talent, encouraging her to take a fashion design course. Just like that, Kusum’s interest was sparked, and she had a new dream to follow.

Kusum is now living a transformed life in a city almost 400 km away from her village. After completing her 12th standards, Kusum was accepted into a fashion design course at the Rai Foundation near Jaipur, with all expenses sponsored by PPES. There, her life has completely changed from what it was. Instead of spending her days in the field, Kusum now is learning the glamorous and exciting work of fashion design.

In just three years, when her courses are complete, Kusum hopes to continue her professional development by working in a renowned fashion house in Delhi. She also can’t wait for the chance to give back to PPES by contributing to the marketing department as a designer.

Kusum’s experience has been a wonderful one, and now her dream (well, one of many!) is that even more girls from her village will follow her lead to become socially and financially independent women.

Courtesy of Pardada Pardadi

Like all PPES girls, Chhaya was born in a village where girls are unwanted and married off between the age of thirteen and fourteen. But with her dreams to pursue higher education and with the help of PPES, she has the opportunity to fly high.

Born in 1990, Chhaya lived in a small village, Bichola, with her mother, grandparents and younger brother. Her father was mostly absent, which added a lot of stress to the family.

But Chhaya was not discouraged by her circumstances, and joined Pardada Pardadi Girls Vocational School in 5th class and quickly became a star pupil. She loved school, and went on to be sponsored to attend SNDT College in the western Indian city of Pune to complete her 12th class. She then went on to pursue her Bachelor in Arts from the Rai Foundation in Jaipur, with a focus on their Air Hostess course.

After being interviewed in early 2009, it was clear Chhaya was thoroughly enjoying her Air Hostess course. She loved learning about the hospitality and travel industries, and was confident she would be hired by the most prestige airline in India, Kingfisher Airlines. With her confidence, intelligence and ambition, PPES is sure she will leave her own mark in this patriarchal society no matter what she pursues.

Courtesy of Pardada Pardadi

Kavita has a smily face!

Kavita is a 4th grade student from Uttar Pradesh, India.  She has been studying at Pardada Pardadi for two years.  Although her parents are unable to support her tuition, a generous donation has allowed her to continue her studies!  At Pardada Pardadi, every day Kavita attends school, ten rupees will be placed in her bank account! Kavita can look forward to graduating with the equivalent of a high school diploma, marketable skills in textile work, a nest-egg of approximately 30,000 rupees ($600), social and developmental skills, and an assured job at PPES!

Curriculum

Pardada Pardadi is a vocational school, which means half the day in school is spent on regular studies like Math, Science, and Hindi and the rest of the day is spent learning vocational skills.

Students learning to cook!

Our students also gain life skills such as learning about leadership, current affairs, dance, theater, music, sports, health and hygiene, family-life issues, gender issues, money management, rural development, and goods production and management.

Vocational Training

One key mission of PPES is to enable our students to be economically independent. To change the current trend of total reliance on husbands, these girls need marketable skills. Thus, in addition to their value-based education, starting in 6th grade, our students are trained in the art of producing textiles. This includes fine hand-embroidered, machine-embroidered, applique work and block printing to create home furnishings like table covers, duvets, sheets, curtains, and gift items like picture frames, trays, dairies, and coasters.

Students in the classroom

The goods produced by the school are then sold through the Pardada Pardadi website, exhibitions and melas, and other partnerships with designers. All proceeds are then reinvested in the school to help cover the cost of student education.

Health

Health and hygiene are key practices PPES teaches and encourages within the school. Immunizations are provided to our students as needed. Total check-ups are provided as students join the school. During their tenure, periodic check-ups are conducted for all students, and students are trained about the importance of a balanced diet. Recently PPES has also initiated an Adolescent Health Training course for its students.

Computer Center

In 2004 the school received a grant from the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy to provide computer education. The computer lab, named after Helen Keller (an American icon for the physically challenged), is equipped with twenty computers and two printers. The lab runs on diesel generators because the area experiences erratic power. Students are taught basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

In the computer lab

School Costs

Program and operational costs include:

• Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks given during the school day
• Material for the students’ uniforms
• Academic supplies (textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils, etc.)
• Vocational materials (cloth, thread, sewing machines, embroidery machines, cutting machines, wooden frames, blocks and paint, etc.)
• Student field trips
• Finishing units for home furnishings: automatic washing machine, drying, ironing, and packaging supplies
• Computer equipment
• Transport and power supply in the school
• Teachers for English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Math, Science, Drawing, and Social Studies
• Vocational teachers for home furnishings and textile work
• Administrative and development staff
• Building materials and construction costs
• Diesel generators for power supply, as electricity in this area is not reliable
• Furniture for classrooms and offices