Why am I fundraising? 

Many a times, if a girl is born either blind or partially blind in a poor family, she is left to her fate.  Even if they decide to get some vocational training, these girls are exploited by miscreants in the society.  

Mr. Lakshminarayana V, who works as teacher in Government school is blind himself. He came across few incidents where their disability was taken advantage of, which led him to start ashram for blind girls/women. He started the Disabled Development Organization in the year 2006 on a small scale and provided shelter, food and education to the blind girls.  To avoid the exploitation by the miscreants during their commute to school/college, he had hired a reliable auto-rickshaw driver drops and picks up the girls from their school/colleges. Currently, there are about 30+ residents in the ashram, aged from 9-24 years who are either fully blind or partially blind.  All these years, he managed to collect donations locally to bear the expenses.

I had been visiting this place for the past three years and was amazed by the determination and selfless service provided by Mr. Lakshminarayana. His sincerity made me want to contribute in some way. I have been funding this organization on a regular basis and am blessed to spend time with this great personality and the residents.  One kind-hearted music teacher also visits this place to teach music and, there are quite a few talented singers among the ashram residents.

Five students have completed their +2 (Intermediate / PUC), and are eligible to take up the two year Diploma in Education (D.Ed) course. This course will help them find career options in teaching (either government jobs or private jobs), making them financially independent.

This time, the requirement is huge and the time frame is very short. The first installment of the fee for the course has to be paid before end of January, 2016.  The details are provided below.

One of the students has managed to get seat in A.P. Government college to pursue Diploma in Education (D.Ed).  She has to stay at college hostel, since the college is 50km away from the accommodation provided by the organization.

Four other girls are eligible to pursue the same course (D.Ed) in the privately-managed college.  These four can manage to commute from the accommodation provided by the organization, since the college is nearby. Selection and fee details will be arranged on request.  

There might a question, "Why join priviate college?" There is a strong message from the Government that, the same course (D.Ed) will be conducted for four years from next academic year. If these girls can't make it in this academic year, they may have to undergo the same course for four years with additional fee plus lose one year as they have to wait till next academic year.

Currently, I am looking at raising funds for the first year fee for these five students.

Please note, the organization is approved for 80G deduction by Indian Revenue authority.  All the required documents will be provided on request.

Let's help these girls reach their dreams.

What do I plan to do with the funds?

Fee for Govenment college for first year (one student)       - INR   12,500

Hostel fee for one student (@2,200 p.m. for 11 months)    - INR   24,200
Fee for four students for First year of D.Ed (@60,000 p.a.) - INR 240,000
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Total Funding required                                                              - INR 276,700
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FAQs

I am requesting funding for INR 300,000 to cover any incidental/miscellaneous expenses.  If any additional funds are available, those will be used for the welfare of the other blind girl students.

All the accounts are maintained as per the Indian Revenue Authority stipulations, as the donations qualify for 80G exemption.