Project Pragati (International)

Bitiya Vikas Kendra

Bitiya is partnering with Bharat Vikas Parishad(BVP) in Panchkula, Haryana to construct and operate a state-of-the-art vocational center for girls from slum areas. The space for this center was procured in early 2010, and the project is on track to start construction soon. This center will provide training on computers, embroidery, crafts, beauty and aesthetics, etc. Further, this center will provide entrepreneurial courses for these girls to convert this training into a meaningful business. Future plans for this space include opening a girls school, and offering after school academic support and activities.

"Aim for the Sky" Bitiya Scholarship Program

Bitiya is aiming to provide up to 100 scholarships to girls from economically weak backgrounds for schools, vocational training, degree colleges, and professional colleges. This will be done through creating an endowment fund over the next 2 years to make it financially self-sustained. Bitiya’s mission is to provide opportunity for every girl who shows the interest and proficiency for further studies. Let them aim for the sky, and Bitiya will support them with scholarships and in kind resources.  Majority of these funds will go to girls desiring to further their education in science and technology. Discussions are in progress to institute these scholarships through Salaam Baalak in Bombay, schools in Delhi, PPES in U.P., Prayas, and many more similar projects across the country. Bitiya will be involved in the selection and monitoring the progress of education of these girls.

I Create's "Changing the Mindset Entrepreneurship" Program

Bitiya is partnering with I Create, Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Integrated Entrepreneurship Training to the disadvantaged communities in India.  With this partnership, I Create will conduct entrepreneurship classes in a low income High School in Gujarat to foster interest in entrepreneurship at an early age.  This includes imparting the practical knowledge and skills needed to start a business, business plan competitions and much more.  This will be a forty hour highly interactive and participatory program covering up to 40 girls under 21 in a low income girls’ school.  Each participant will prepare a two page business plan. Three winners from this school will participate in the Regional Business plan Competition. Winners will receive media recognition and seed capital for their ventures. The top three winners will participate in the National Business Plan competition (NBPC). The top winner of the NBPC receives an all expense paid trip to New York to participate in the NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) International Youth Entrepreneurs Gala Event in New York.

Project Pragati

It is said “You educate a girl and you educate a community”. This has been proven correct by the Pardada Pardadi School (PPES). In just a few years the operation of “learning and earning” has transposed the entire village of Anoopshahr in the Bulandshahr District of U.P.

At PPES access to free education alone was not sufficient to keep girls in school.  The learning and earning scheme developed by Mr. Singh was put into action.  Students attend academic classes in subjects such as Math, Science, English, Social Studies, music, dance and textile work in the morning session.  In the afternoon the students are put to work by manufacturing handicrafts and textiles.

By the time students’ graduate, they not only have basic academic skills but also develop highly marketable vocational skills. To top it all the school deposits US$0.30 for each day a student attends school. By the time a child graduates from high school she would have approximately US$666 in her bank account to jumpstart her life!

It is important to take note the fantastic impact a participative community can have on the development of an entire village.  Via education the poverty cycle will be broken! 

Project Prayas

 “My parents wanted me to get married, but I refused to marry because I wanted to study. My parents did not agree because they could not afford my education any further, so I spoke with a Prayas mentor. She met my parents and made them understand the consequences of early marriage. My parents finally agreed to send me back to school on getting financial assistance from Prayas.” – Guddi

“I wanted to study but my parents did not allow me to go to school. They wanted me to take care of my younger brothers.”  -- Anju

“My father and my brother don’t like me stepping out of the house. They say a woman’s place is in the house and that’s where she should stay. But I want to study.”

-- Ruchi

For female children in India realizing their dream of becoming an educated, self empowered member of society is an uphill task.   Young girls often find themselves in a position where their progress is sacrificed for their family or by social taboos.Project Prayas supports families that are unable to afford educating their daughters due to inadequate funds and/or social stigmas.

The selection of students to be accepted into Prayas is on the basis of their economic status and academic merit. Prayas is unique in that they provide each student with a mentor.  This mentor’s serves a pivotal role in the success and monitoring of the student.

Currently we are supporting a very diversified group of students under this program. They consist of students at primary, secondary and college level from various parts of India.  We hope to empower these girls via education into strong, self sufficient women!

Mijwan Welfare Society

Bitiya provides funds to the Mijwan Welfare Society in the Azamgarh district of U.P., which is an extremely poor and underdeveloped part of the state. Kaifi Azmi set up the society to enable the residents of the Mijwan village to be empowered and self reliant.  The aim is to achieve this through education, health & sanitation vocational training, micro-credit, and employement.  The society currently runs a Computer Center, a primary school for girls, a higher secondary school for girls, a tailoring center, and an embroidery project.  Future plans for this society include opening a degree college, providing micro-credit, and supporting employment.