At the heart of sustainable social development lies a simple truth: when you educate a girl, you don’t just change her life — you create a ripple effect that transforms her family, her community, and future generations.
Another truth is that for many academically brilliant young women in India, overwhelming financial barriers block their path. The cost — tuition, books, boarding, and everyday expenses — too often squashes dreams of an education.
The Share & Care Foundation, in partnership with the Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF), bridges this gap through our Educate 2 Graduate (E2G) program. Together, we ensure financial constraints never stand in the way of academic promise. To date, we have committed to supporting 47 bright “LILA Daughters” pursuing professional undergraduate degrees in Engineering, Pharmacy, and Nursing.
But this partnership is about much more than tuition. We are providing a holistic sanctuary of development, one that allows young women to thrive in the corporate world and become leaders in their communities.
A Shared Vision
LPF was established in 1995 with a powerful vision: to empower deserving and economically disadvantaged Indian girls to pursue professional education. Inspired by the historic journey of Mrs. Lila Poonawalla from a refugee to one of India’s pioneering women industrialists, LPF has spent the last three decades successfully building pathways from education to employment.
To truly understand the power of Share & Care’s E2G program, we invite you to meet two of the incredible young women whose lives have been completely transformed by this partnership.
Prajakta’s Journey from Uncertainty to Software Developer
For Prajakta Shivaji Tambe, a brilliant student who scored 97% on her 12th board exams and 98% on her CET entrance exams, admission to a prestigious engineering college should have been a moment of pure celebration. Instead, it was overshadowed by financial anxiety.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the construction site where Prajakta’s father worked as a supervisor was halted, and he lost his job. The family suddenly had no source of income.
“I was worried about my academic fees at the time of admission as my family was struggling financially,” Prajakta recalls. “I was quite a shy and reserved person, and I wanted to overcome my fear of connecting with people [at college].”
Prajakta discovered the scholarship program offered through E2G. She applied, poured her heart into her interview, and was approved!
Prajakta’s four-year journey in Computer Engineering at PCCOE College, Pune, transformed her. She attended 22 holistic skill-building sessions covering everything from technical skills like IT Infrastructure Landscape, Robotic Process Automation, and Digital Marketing to essential life skills like Self-Defense, Mental Well-Being, and Confidence Building.
Prajakta graduated in August 2025 with an exceptional overall CGPA of 9.05 (10-point scale) and secured a coveted final-year placement at PTC as a Software Developer with a starting salary package of ₹9 LPA (Lakhs Per Annum), which is approximately $9,500 annually.
Bridging the Gap: Prajakta’s professional success lifted her family out of their financial hardship and set a new standard in her community. “As I am building a good career for myself, the aim in my life is to make myself so resourceful that I can donate to help another young needy girl and contribute in building a good society for our future generations,” she says.
Mayuri’s Story of Pharmacy and Poetic Reflection
Mayuri Mahadev Gawali’s father worked hard as a farmer while her mother managed the home. Mayuri had a deep passion for pharmaceutical sciences, but her family’s limited income put her dreams out of reach.
Through the Share & Care E2G program, Mayuri received the financial lifeline she needed to enroll in the Bachelor of Pharmacy program at the All India Shri Shivaji Memorial College of Pharmacy.
To bridge the gap between academic theory and corporate readiness, Mayuri actively participated in workshops like “Communicate to Evolve, Lead & Grow,” “Administration of Drugs & Opportunities in the Drug Industry,” and the “LPF Thought Leadership Series: Communication & Presentation Skills,” to build her professional and industry-specific communication skills. Her initial hesitations were now in the past.
Her dedication to her own future paid off. After graduating, Mayuri secured a role as a Quality Assurance professional at Credence Resource Management with an annual starting salary of ₹3.5 LPA (US$3,600).
Bridging the Gap: For Mayuri, the scholarship validated her intellect and potential. A farmer’s daughter became a confident pharmaceutical professional. The E2G program demonstrates how targeted, comprehensive support turns raw aspiration into life-changing achievement.
A Comprehensive Formula for Independence
E2G’s structured, multi-dimensional curriculum means scholars don’t just receive a check; they must attend a minimum of three training programs per year. Options include:
- Holistic Skilling: Self-defense, physical and mental health awareness, and self-reliant personality development.
- Technical Excellence: Modern tech roadmaps, robotic process automation, and specialized industry certifications.
- Corporate Readiness: Mock interviews, resume writing, corporate presentation skills, and industry exposure visits.
By addressing the social, economic, and practical barriers young women face, Share & Care ensures they enter the workforce not just with a degree, but as highly competent, emotionally resilient leaders.
How You Can Help Us Bridge the Gap
Prajakta and Mayuri’s success proves what happens when we invest in women’s education. It changes lives. But countless brilliant, hard-working girls in India are still waiting for their chance to step into a classroom rather than a cycle of generational poverty.
This September, as students everywhere face a new school year, our goal is to keep these pathways open.
A contribution to the Share & Care Foundation’s Educate 2 Graduate (E2G) program ensures that we can continue to fund scholarships, expand corporate skilling workshops, and nurture the next generation of “LILA Daughters” into self-reliant leaders.
SUPPORT THE EDUCATE 2 GRADUATE PROGRAM TODAY
