Real Life Stories

40 Stories for 40 Years

To celebrate our more than 40 years of service, we are sharing 40 of our beneficiaries’ powerful stories with you — stories of hope, compassion, and determination. We hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspire us.

Single Scholarship Empowers Varsha’s Entire Family

As a child, Varsha Baraiya loved music, painting, henna art, and cooking. She was a fantastic student, and she loved helping her siblings study and succeed in school, too. She aspired to become a doctor, and her hard work in school paid off, earning her a place in the K.J. Mehta General Hospital and College of Medical Sciences in Gujarat. Read more

Gayatri Has Hope for a Bright Future

Gayatri Shinde is a 9th-grader who lives with her parents in a rented room in the Asalpha village in Mumbai. She is a sincere and hardworking young girl who loves to dance and excels academically. Two years ago, her father, the sole earner of the family, lost his job, and the family has struggled financially since. Read more

Mayuri Is Given the Chance to Excel and Thrive

Mayuri Kaushik Kumar Rawal is a bright, ambitious 8th-grade student in Mumbai. Her father is the sole earner for her family of six, and as a florist making just Rs. 36,000 per year, he struggles to cover basic living expenses, leaving no room in the family’s budget for school fees. Read more