Come and join Pratham AUS and help educate underprivileged children of India
Be the first to join Pratham Australia and help educate underprivileged children in India. Together we can make a difference!
Pratham, an NGO, was started in 1995 by setting up balvadis (children centres) in Mumbai by Dr Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay to educate underprivileged children under the age of five. Dr Chavan was awarded the WISE Award in 2012, which is the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in education.
Pratham has now set up its volunteer-run, not-for-profit chapter in Australia, called Pratham AUS. It has the patronage of ex-cricketer Greg Chappell MBE, journalist Peter FitzSimons AM, LBW Trust co-founder and chairman of The Chappell Foundation Darshak Mehta OAM, the Hon. John Faulkner and chairman emeritus of the AIBC Neville Roach OAM.
Of India’s 210 million children, almost half are unable to read with more than 60 per cent being girls. Pratham’s programmes aim at improving the literacy of pre-school, primary and secondary school children as well as vulnerable children working in sweat shops, girls who drop out of school and also in upskilling for youth employment through vocational training.
Pratham AUS’ board member Sarita Chand, an architect by profession, says, “It’s time we in Sydney came on board to help and support this organization which is doing wonderful work for underprivileged children. It now operates in 21 states of India and has evolved to educating as many as 45 million children by introducing many worthwhile programs supporting children, in particular young girls, who have to drop out of school for family commitments and work to support their families.”
“We are starting to get many Aussies who are happy to donate but would like Sydney’s Indian community to get involved with Pratham AUS and help with its fund-raising activities to support Pratham’s praiseworthy philanthropic works in India.”
Sarita explains they are also organizing tour groups to India during which it will be possible to visit Pratham centres in action, to see how disadvantaged children are benefitting from its various programmes.
Pratham is based on the firm belief that education is the fundamental right of every child and that no child should be deprived of this basic right. “93 per cent of every dollar donated to Pratham goes straight to the beneficiary,” says Sarita.
“Pratham AUS is a registered charity with DGR status. Which means all donations above $2 are tax-deductible” she adds.
Pratham Australia is organizing a Fundraiser Diwali Evening at Aki’s Indian restaurant in Woolloomoloo, well known for its fine Indian cuisine, on September 28th, 2017 at 6.30pm. Director, Art Gallery NSW, Dr. Michael Brand will be the guest speaker on the night and there will be board members available to answer any query people may have about Pratham, how to join and become its member as well as contribute any help they can provide as volunteers to help with fund-raising.
Please visit: https://www.pratham.org.au/ or contact Sarita on email: info@pratham.org.au
Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=9612