We have seen it and lived it.
Education and Empowerment in action at St. Xavier’s Girls’ High School.St. Xavier’s School is located in the village of Naidupuram, near Kodaikanal, India. The school consists of a primary school, girls high school and girls hostel. About the locationKodaikanal is a hill station town located in the Palni Hills, in Central Southern India. The town was founded by missionaries who wanted to escape the heat of the low lands and has become a popular tourist and vacation destination, both for foreigners and Indians alike. With a spacious lake at its center and surrounded by hills and mountains, Kodaikanal is a favorite for second homes of the wealthy and powerful. But the area also has many poor people living in its town and surrounding areas. 
The villages around Kodaikanal are filled with laborers who are living in dirt floor huts and shacks with no indoor plumbing. For some, it is easy to forget that there are many disenfranchised people are living in extreme poverty in this area because of its international reputation as a charming and vibrant tourist destination and home of the famous Kodaikanal International School. Who the organization serves Girls who attend St. Xavier’s school are from the poorest of families. Many live only with one parent or another relative. Girls who live in the hostel are orphans with no place to live or from the poorest outlying villages, who would not be able to attend school if they did not live at the hostel. The other girls who attend the school, but don’t live at the hostel, are from very poor families, many who cannot afford school uniforms, supplies or transportation. In the poorest of families, children must work to help the family survive, so attending school is a luxury. Often if there is any money to send children to school, it is the boys who have this opportunity. Supporting 
education empowers these girls in India to break the cycle of poverty and live fulfilling lives. Short term benefits of assistanceParents cannot afford to send their children to school; therefore girls in these poor families would be kept at home to work in the fields, in factories or would potentially be married at a young age so that they will no longer be a “drain” on the few financial resources of the family. Donations for education for these girls allows families to send their girls to attend school. For those girls who have no home or family, or live in very remote villages and would be unable to attend school, the donations pay for the living expenses at the hostel in addition to the costs of education. Long term benefits of assistancePoor girls have the opportunity to be educated, learn a trade or go to college. This empowers girls to earn their own living, break the cycle of poverty and the unhappiness of arranged early marriages. Education empowers the girls to live productive, meaningful and enjoyable lives and to give back to their own communities. Contribute to Education in India:St. Xavier’s needs for funds to: Fix a leaking roof at the hostel
A donation of $75 or $100 or more helps. The total cost is $20,000 USD.
Support the living and educational expenses of the girls in the hostel
The cost is $185 USD to pay for one girl to live in the hostel for one year and attend school. This includes all living expenses and school uniforms, books and supplies
Support a girl to attend school who lives at home in poor family environment
The cost is $35 USD to cover expenses of books, uniform, lunch and school supplies for an entire school year
Contribute to the college fund
Anythings helps - $75, $100, or more - to save money to assist the top performers. :: click here to donate
Volunteer opportunities in India:Teaching various subjects like English, Art, Nutrition – support education, empowerment through knowledge and confidence, bonding, support
Plan and participate in outings – support cultural experiences, athletic events, tours and travel to expand the girl’s horizons, empower through new experiences, enjoyment, bonding
:: click here for more volunteer information
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