Suriya
My name is Suraj Kumar. I am 31 years old and was born in Bakeour village in the state of Bihar, India. I am the oldest of three children. My family was extremely poor throughout my childhood. I had to sit next to temples in the city of Bodhgaya and beg for money, with my cousins, for my family.
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Because of my difficult childhood, I am striving to create change, even if it is small, for people in India, especially girls and women, who are at a disadvantage from the beginning of their lives. I believe that education is the key because it can open doors to a different future.
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I am proof of this.
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Sexual Abuse
We frequently hear about rape in the news, but these cases represent only a small fraction of the actual incidents. Many women are harassed by their own family members, making survival even tougher for girls. Dowry and rape are two of the greatest problems in rural villages. Rape often goes unreported if the victims come from poor families. After such traumatic experiences, many girls commit suicide to protect their "family's honor" in a backward society.
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The Reason for Targeting Females
In rural villages, women are often left unprotected financially when disaster strikes, such as when a family member, husband, or child becomes disabled or sick, and especially if a woman becomes a widow. Widows are frequently left without any means of income after their husbands die. This situation is dire, as girls in these areas often have no access to education. Generally, boys are favored for financial investment in skills development, preparing them for familial responsibilities.
Our Project
By starting this project, we aim to help children, with a focus on young girls. They will have access to a well-rounded education and practical skills, particularly in sewing. Since girls often move to different villages after marriage, they can take this knowledge with them, potentially creating their own training centers. This way, knowledge and skills can spread, reaching many more girls and creating a powerful ripple effect of change.
I believe in education as a vessel for empowerment. Education breeds confidence and identity in each child, and, in a society that places very little weight on the intrinsic value of each and every human being, practical skills allow you to go into the world with something extrinsic to offer
Benefits of the School for the Village
The school will uplift the rural society by introducing skills training to improve the economic status of suffering children, especially little girls. Organizing and providing tailored training will create employment opportunities, empowering children in these villages. The proposed tailoring training is a great opportunity for poor women, both married and unmarried, to earn their livelihood upon successfully completing the training. This is in addition to the well-rounded education we aim to provide for the children.