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.
Neelu Prajapati is the eldest daughter in a family of six living in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Her family farms on a small plot of land in the Mijwan village. When COVID-19 struck, her father, who worked in construction in Dubai stopped earning money, and at the same time, her mother was diagnosed with a serious illness, requiring costly tests and an urgent operation. Read more
Tejal is a determined woman living in the Kada Village in Gujarat. She graduated from college with many ambitions, but marriage and children prevented her from finding full-time employment. The pandemic only exacerbated these hardships. Read more
Prior to completing the Rajkot Cancer Society’s Cancer Awareness Program, Nita Vipulbhai Kakasaniya had not been aware of the importance of pap smear tests for detecting cervical cancer. After receiving this preventative education, she underwent the test. Read more
Ankita Baburao Waghmare is one of four daughters born into a tribal community in the Washim District of Maharashtra. Though her home life was not conducive to education, Ankita was an academically excellent student. With support from Share & Care, LOLT has helped Ankita develop her confidence level, communication skills, and career-oriented mindset. Read more
Saroj Gurjar is a 21-year-old woman from a rural area of Rajasthan. Her family of seven is supported only by her father’s farm work, and their financial needs often go unmet. Saroj has been interested in creative activities since childhood, and she learned about the Grameen Vikas Shodh Evam Takniki Kendra (GVSTK) program, supported by Share & Care, in November of 2021. Read more
Farukh Menon is a Lokmitra, or “friend of the people,” serving with the Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI), supported by Share & Care, in the village of Chadotar in Gujarat. As a Lokmitra, Farukh strives to sow the seeds of connection, cooperation, and compassion to uplift his village. Read more
Juguntara is the eldest of three children in her family living in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Her father left when she was in 10th grade. With the help of her uncles, she was able to complete her intermediate studies, but since it was her responsibility to manage the household expenses, there was no hope for schooling beyond that. Read more
Upasi Devi, currently living in the Singhpur village of Uttar Pradesh, wanted to attend school when she was younger. However, due to family circumstances, she was unable to and was married at 12 years old to Akhileshwar Mahto. She worked with Akhileshwar in agriculture, but after they had four children, their financial situation became strained. Read more
Recently, 25 women received life-changing vocational training from Bhupat Bhai, a Lokmitra serving with ESI, supported by Share & Care, in the village of Lilapur in Gujarat. A total of 12 women received training in the jewelry trade, while 13 received training in stitching. Read more
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
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