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

Umang Builds an Award-Winning Electric Bicycle

Umang Marsonia is a brilliant recipient of an Educate 2 Graduate scholarship, distributed through the Sister Nivedita Foundation in Rajkot. Umang had a keen interest in electrical engineering, hoping to work in the field one day, but the fees for his education were too high for his parents to afford without help. Read more

Upasi Learns How to Increase Farm Yields and Boost Income

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

Juguntara Becomes Self-Sufficient and Achieves Her Dreams

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

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