A Year at a Glance at WEP’s “Sudar” Center … !•  86 young women attended; 70 received scholarships. "•  3 English, 3 Computer, and 8 study skills courses were offered."•  14 life-skills workshops and fieldtrips were held. "•  Average daily attendance increased from 25 to 30 students. "•  Nutritious snacks were served daily."•  Student meeting and book club was held monthly."•  70 students volunteered at an orphanage and an elderly home."•  Students initiated a tutorial program for 23 neighborhood children."•  17 students graduated from college – all entered a PG program."•  15 alumnae and current students found part-time and full-time jobs. "

Madurai Program"WEP’s Madurai Center, Sudar (meaning “light” in Tamil) is a house in the Nerimedu neighborhood of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. After college hours, students walk, cycle or take a bus to Sudar to study, enjoy nutritious snacks, and use the computer lab and library. Weekends and holidays hold workshops, fieldtrips, book club, and impromptu dance and song sessions. Ms. Vijayalakshmi, Program Director and Ms. Preethi, Office Assistant (and Sudar alumnae), report from this lively center: "

Workshops and Fieldtrips. Students learned about:"•  personal financial management"•  traditional medicinal plants and how to grow them at home"•  strategies to prepare for their (many) exams"•  women’s health – a workshop by Aravind Eye Hospital doctors"•  using a camera and telling a story through photos"•  conducting interviews and photography projects for WEP News"•  responsibilities of central and state government departments "•  karate chops in a self-defense class"•  writing a resume - conducted by a US-WEP volunteer "•  global warming at an international conference held in Madurai"•  nature in Kodai Kanal, a mountainous region"•  manufacturing at Ruby, Madurai’s famous mango drink factory"•  International Women’s Day – a kollam drawing competition"•  methods to teach children – conducted by a US-WEP volunteer"

Captions (Clockwise)!•  Singing the Sudar song on

Annual Day !•  Attending a Women’s

Health Workshop!•  Learning to use a camera!•  Drawing kollams

(traditional chalk drawings) at the center. !

Captions (Clockwise)!•  Discussing a novel in

Book Club!•  Organizing a check-up

for orphanage children with Aravind Eye Hospital doctors!

•  A student stands next to a newspaper clipping congratulating her on second place in a state exam. !

•  Reading at the center!•  Teaching at the

children’s camp held at Sudar!

                                       

Hi. I am doing my B.Sc chemistry second year in Lady Doak College. My father is a mechanic. My ambition is to become a teacher. My family is struggling financially. Even we are struggling, my parents are very much interested in our studies. My friend introduced me to WEP-Sudar. After I get the confidence of finishing my education goals and career. WEP-Sudar provided me a scholarship after knowing about my poor financial back ground. Sudar is a great opportunity for young girls like me for higher education and career. Myself and my friends do combined study at Sudar. """" I am doing B.Sc Maths, 2nd yr. I am the first child to my

parents. I have two younger sisters and one younger brother. My father is a coolie [load man]. My father is my hero. My family is a beautiful family. I want to become a Software Engineer. During the end of my 12th standard, I got fear about my higher studies because of my family’s poor economical condition. But that time WEP-Sudar adopted me and helped me for my higher studies. Now I don’t have fear about my mere future. I am having Sudar now for fulfilling my wishes. Sudar showed me the way for higher education. "

A House visit by the Madurai Staff: "Our scholarship student, a commerce student, is living in a small hut. Her mother is an illiterate woman, a nice innocent lady who works as a coolie in construction work and earning Rs. 150/ per day ($3).Her father is working as a coolie in river tank and earning Rs.2000/ ($40)per month. Her family consists of six members. Her first younger sister is working as a coolie in a company and other two sisters are studying in school. Her mother devoted her thanks to WEP-Sudar for its support of her daughter's education""

Hyderabad Program"At WEP’s Hyderabad Center, a partnership with the M. Venkatarangaiya Foundation (MVF), Ushassu (meaning “dawn” in Telugu), rural and urban students attend various colleges surrounding the MVF office. On the weekends and holidays, students meet for workshops, fieldtrips and other events. Esther Subhashini, Program Director and Program In-Charges Mr. Venkatesh and Ms. Susan Rani report: " "A Year at a Glance at WEP’s “Ushassu” Center … "•  45 students attended the program and 36 received scholarships to intermediate and college programs."•  Daily tutorials in English, Commerce and Math were offered."•  Monthly student meetings to plan program were held."•  10 workshops and fieldtrips were conducted throughout the year. ""Workshops and Fieldtrips. Students learned about:"•  Tom’s Shoes and assisted in a shoe distribution for children "•  kitchen gardens – a training by MVF. 18 students planted home gardens and reported savings on vegetable

expenditure. "•  environment - held a mock parliament, essay competition and rally on World Environment Day."•  journalism and photography – attended a 3-day program with professors from Hyderabad. "•  producing articles and photographs for WEP News "•  women’s health "•  methods to teach children – conducted by a US-WEP volunteer"•  writing a resume - conducted by a US-WEP volunteer "•  the stars - toured and attended a lecture at the new observatory "•  bio-diversity – learned about millets and farming technologies"•  communication skills– a workshop at CRIDA""""*Unfortunately, due to the Telegana separatist movement and a water scarcity problem in the village area, the Ushassu program was unable to offer all of the activities and many colleges were closed.)""

Students did small volunteer projects in their community … !•  7 students helped elderly in their community by visiting their homes and helping with small tasks"•  14 students gave tutorial classes at their own homes for children in their villages"

Captions (Clockwise)!

•  A student gives a speech at International Women’s Day"

•  A lecture at the Observatory"

•  Tom Shoe’s Program"

•  4 photos – environmental awareness programs and a pledge to protect the environment (1-4)"

All Photos (clockwise) – Environmental Awareness Programs. !!•  A mock

parliament!!•  A lecture!

•  A neighborhood rally!

•  A fieldtrip to innovative, water saving irrigation system !

I  am  19  years  old  and  I  am  pursuing  Bs.(M.P.C;s)  2nd  yr.    I  live  with  my  mother  and  younger  brother.  My  widowed  mother  runs  a  roadside  tea  counter.  My  brother  is  now  in  8th  standard.  We  do  not  have  much  money  and  live  on  day  to  day  earnings.  I  joined  WEP  3  months  ago.  The  main  reason  to  join  is,  I  lost  my  father  in  my  8th  standard.  Since  then  onwards  my  mother  has  been  working  very  hard  to  help  me  complete  B.Sc  1st  year.  Due  to  our  severe  financial  and  family  problems,  my  mother  and  family  member  were  forcing  me  to  stop  my  educaNon  and  work  to  support  my  family.  In  this  situaNon,  I  asked  my  mother  to  look  for  someone  to  help  me.  She  then  came  to  know  about  W.E.P.  My  relaNves  were  pressuring  my  mother  to  get  me  married.  But  my  mother  by  knowing  the  value  of  educaNon   gave   me   support   and   sNll   struggling   and   working   hard   to   educate   me.   I   have   been   given   a   lot   of  encouragement  and  support  by  the  WEP-­‐Ushassu  program.  This  has  increased  my  mother’s  hope  that  I  can  go  for  my  further  educaNon  and  reach  my  goal.   In  my  view,  financial  support  that   is  for  educaNon  is  the  best  support  given  to  girls   like  me.  I  now  feeling  happy  that  my  mother’s  burden  is   lightened  by  WEP/  foundaNon  and  she  is  able  to  educate  me  happily  with  your  help.  

Hi.    I  am  20  old.  I  have  one  elder  brother,  younger  sister  and  brother.  My  family  is  toddy  tappers.  While  I  am  studying  8th  class  at  the  age  of  13  I  was  married.  So  I  disconNnued  my  studies.  Unfortunately  my  husband  died  in  an  accident.  So  I  came  back  to  my  parents  home  and  worked  as  labourer  for  two  years.  I  completed  my  10th  class  through  open  school  system.   I  wished  to  conNnue  college  studies  but  my  parents  had  not  given  me  the  support  to  conNnue  my  studies  due  to  financial  and  other  tradiNonal  reasons.  In  the  year  2010  i  came  to  know  about  WEP  and  it  support  to  women’s  educaNon.  With  the  help  of  MVF  staff  I  jointed  in  WEP.  (that  year)  they  have  given  me  a  opportunity  to  join  Intermediate  course  by  providing  scholarships.  In  the  WEP-­‐Ushassu  I  have  aXended  number  of  training  and  other  acNviNes  like  Rural  bakery,  Photography,  Journalism,  Fodder  culNvaNon,  Teacher  training  &  Resume  wriNng,  Personal  hygiene,  health  &  nutriNon  communicaNon  skills  /  HIV  –aids.  I  have  gained  a  lot  of  knowledge  by  aXending  these  trainings  and  classes.  (I  successfully  completed  my  intermediate  course   in  commerce  with  75%  in  1st  division.)  With  their  conNnued  support  this  year   I  have   joined   in  degree  course.   I   am   feeling   proud   to   say   that   this   really,  WEP   students   have   given  me   a   lot   of  moral   support   and  financial   to   successfully   reach  my  goals.  With   the  help  of  WEP   I   completed  my   intermediate   course  with  1st  class  by  conNnuing  this  year.  I  am  studying  2nd  year  in  commerce  course.  I  am  sure  with  the  help  of  WEP  I  will  complete  my  graduaNon  my  ambiNon   is   to  become  a   teacher.  WEP  /  MVF  has  given  girls  moral  &  emoNonal  support  which  we  did  not  receive  from  my  parents.  I  am  very  thankful  to  WEP  for  giving  me  a  opportunity.  

Bangalore Program"On July 11, 2011, WEP opened its third center, this time partnering with the Hope Foundation in Bangalore, (Karnataka, India). Named Diya (“light” in Hindi), the center provides an after-school program for girls in the 8-10th grades attending Hope’s elementary school. ""Program Director, Kala Vathi in her first report writes “[WEP] is one of the most inspiring projects … in the community of Doddannanagar girls usually go home and must do household work [and] do not have enough space to study peacefully. Parents are happy that girls are given so much importance in education as well as extra curricular activities.“ Kala and teachers Ms. Supriya and Ms. Shanti report:"! A Year at a Glance at WEP’s “Diya” Center … "•  30 students attended the program."•  Computer class was held daily - Typing Master was a hit. "•  English, library and craft sessions were offered each day."•  Nutritious snacks were served daily."•  Students took up the Cricket bat. (Teachers were surprised " at their interest, as the game is usually played by boys, and " saw the students’ confidence soar!) " "Workshops and Fieldtrips. Students: "•  held an environmental awareness campaign to educate their neighborhood about planting trees."•  visited Crosswords Bookstore to choose books for their WEP library."•  learned about journalism, media, and photography."•  published their own interviews, articles and photographs in WEP News."•  visited a maternity hospital and interviewed a doctor about her career."•  drew Rangolis (colorful powder drawings) for a competition. "•  received a full tour of a post office and learned about postal activities – a favorite trip for the teachers and students! "" "

“Hi! I am very happy that Hope Foundation School has started WEP for us. Everyday I am waiting eagerly to come to this class. I am not only having fun but also get to revise my lessons and clarify my doubts in all the subjects. It gives me immense pleasure to use the computers freely.” " "“I am a student of WEP. WEP is not only helping us to do well in studies but also we have full one hour operating computers, playing games, learning spoken English even the teachers play with us. I am happy to attend this programme everyday without fail.”""“Hi. From last year, I used to stay in the school waiting for my sister to finish WEP class and come home, on the way she used to share how she was learning and enjoying in this 2 hours class. I always used to ask my teacher to make me also part of it. So today I am very happy to be part of it. Thanks for giving me admission.”"!" ""

Captions (Clockwise)"•  Learning in the

computer lab ""•  A visit to a maternity

hospital"

•  An environmental rally in the neighborhood"

•  A craft lesson""

A generous contribution from Zebra Technologies helped us to launch WEP News – an online journalism program.!"All students attended a Journalism workshop and a photography training at their centers. ""Students completed journalism projects interviewing professionals and personal heroes and photographing their neighborhoods. ""To view the students stories, please visit WEP News on our website. "

Women’s  Educa.on  Project  Financial  Statement  July  2011  –  June  2012  

Income  

CorporaNons  and  FoundaNons   76,692  

Individuals  and  Events   35,037  

Total   111,729    

Expense  

Program     92,252  

AdministraNon   19,589  

Total   111,841  

Women’s Education Project thanks you for your generous support and commitment to women’s education!"

!!

Mission: Women’s Education Project helps young women of limited means discover their unlimited potential to succeed in college and careers

and improve their lives, families, and communities."