Description
More than 50% of our proceeds of the goat calendars go to support the Asha Deep Vidyashram in Varanasi, India. If you would like to make an additional donation to Asha Deep, you can do so directly on the Asha Deep website, or if you make a donation through me with your calendar purchase, I will send it along to the school! Please make your donation in multiples of $5. I am not a web expert so this is the best we can do for donation collection here on this site!
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More Information
On average, 97% of Indian children attend school. However, several states have much lower enrollment rates. In Uttar Pradesh, only 61% of children attend school. This means that 39% –over 1.6 million children– do not. And even if they do attend, their chances for good learning are poor. A 2014 study found that only 27% of Uttar Pradesh 5th graders could read at 2nd grade level or better, and only 12% of them were able to divide (a skill introduced in 4th grade). Learning is typically stymied by negligent teacher attendance, lackadaisical instruction, large class sizes, and draconian discipline methods, including shaming and beating. It’s no wonder children drop out! And for poor children, whose illiterate parents are unable to explain homework or pay typical school fees, getting a good education is even harder.
The goal of Asha Deep Vidyashram, a K-8 school running since 2004, is to give the children of illiterate parents a real chance at education and success. Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, it provides quality education in a loving atmosphere. Although its costs are significantly greater (about $300/student/year), it charges minimal fees (less then $9/year) mainly to encourage better attendance. Class size is limited to 20 so that teachers can give individual attention. The school provides a nutritious lunch. It has a large library and a computer lab that is used daily by students in classes 2-8. It offers art classes like dance and music. In addition to the 200 students currently enrolled, Asha Deep supports its graduates by finding sponsors and providing tuition so that they can continue their studies through 12th grade and beyond. This year, fourteen Asha Deep graduates are enrolled in college.
While the school is concerned with its students’ academic success, the vision is much more holistic. Along with teaching the basics, Asha Deep works hard on improving students’ self-esteem, promoting compassion and gender equality, and teaching healthy conflict resolution and environmental awareness. They provide an after-school program which includes a lifeskills class for teens and a safe place to learn and play for younger students.
Christy learned about Asha Deep in 2015 and has been inspired by Asha Deep’s hope and optimism, as well as the opportunities that they provide for their students and community. Christy and the sweatered goats are excited to give more than 50% of the profits from these calendar sales to support Asha Deep’s mission.
If you’re interested in learning more or making a donation to support Asha Deep, check out their website or Facebook page!
