Give a girl a bike: help her to go to school

Nakusa Shivaji Masal : Zilha Parishad Primary School, Masalwadi :

Nakusa Shivaji Masal is a pupil in the school of Masalwadi, a small village close to Mhaswad.   She is one of the children who had the chance to receive a bicycle from the Mann Deshi Foundation.   Nakusa is twelve years old; she lives with her family and its seven members under a tent around the village since they are a very poor family. Nakusa is currently in her 7 standard. She passed with first class in the last year. She says that one of her special skills is to run. During the last years,  she took part in a local competition and she succeed to arrive second at the 800 meter running and third at 900 meter running at a Taluka level. Beside the competition, she also likes to study for school. 

Both her father, Shivaji  Masal, and her mother, Nagabai  Masal, are working in a brick factory far from the village. They are daily wage earner. Every day they are earning just enough money to buy the necessary food for their children. They have absolutely no security in case of problems like health issues for example. 

Once, the Mobile Business School (another project conducted by Mann Deshi) came in her village. The staff from Mann Deshi was introducing the different projects conducted by Mann Deshi at that time, and they talked about the Bicycle Program. While Nakusa was listening to the staff presentation, she was wondering about how great it would be to have a bicycle to go to school and if she could be one of those little girl to receive a bicycle from Mann Deshi. Right after the presentation, she run to her school teacher and told her what her idea was. So, her teacher went to the Mann Deshi and told her about Nakusa request...and this is how Nakusa got her bicycle.  As her mother takes part in a self-help-group in her village, she was already familiar with the Mann Deshi bank and foundation and therefore supported Nasuka in her request. Since then, she is enjoying her bicycle which changed her everyday life.

Nakusa lives at 3 km distance from school. As there are no transports facilities from where she lives to the school, she wouldn’t be able to arrive to school on time every day without her bicycle. She is the first child in her family to have a bicycle and she already inspired her smaller brother and sister. Her sister, who is now in the 4 standard, also comes to the school with Nakusa. 

Nasuka says that, with her bicycle, she is able to save a lot of time that she can devote to other activities such as studying for school.  When she got her bicycle, her friends asked her: “How have you done to get a bicycle?”. So Nakusa explain them about Mann Deshi and how she did to ask for her bicycle.

 Mann Deshi hopes that a Nakusa story will encourage other children to acquire bicycle in order to go to school and accomplish their education. Nakusa’s parents are willing to help her to pursue a higher education.

Dear Mann Deshi Donors and Supporters,

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

“Give a girl bike, Change her Life”:  Mann Deshi has given bicycle to more than 2400 girls.  Bike gives these girls an opportunity to carry on their advanced education. 

“B-School at women’s doorstep”:  Mann Deshi with B-school together has been able to reach +40,000 women and have provided them capital and business training. 60% of women have been able to start and expand their business successfully.  

Achievements:

• Reached out +100,000 rural women (saving account holders)
• Graduated + 40000 women through B-school and out of that 24,600 women have became successful business woman and 80% took loan from Mann Deshi Bank. 
• More than 5000 women have been able to get the share in the household property
• Launched the E-Card system, a more efficient, and accessible and secure means to deposit and withdraw money and view transaction history of Mann Deshi client 

This would not have been possible without our supporters and partners.  And as we come to the end of another successful year, we want to thank those who have contributed to Mann Deshi’s success. 

The Mann Deshi aims to provide underprivileged rural women with the resources they need to improve their lives.  Mann Deshi works holistically to improve slummy women’s lives through a variety of financial services, business trainings and skills.

Thus, we hope that you remember Mann Deshi when you think about buying gifts this holiday season.  Any donations you make will have a direct impact on the disadvantaged rural women and girls we serve, allowing them to improve their lives: your donation would truly be a gift that kept on giving.

Mann Deshi currently has three projects linked with Global Giving, a US and UK based organization that connects people with the countries and causes they are passionate about.  Global Giving is registered under 501c3 so that US donors receive tam exemptions.  For this donation Mann Deshi Foundation is registered under 80G and also has tax exemption.  Your tax-deductible donation will be wired directly to Mann Deshi Foundation from Global Giving. The projects you can contribute to are: 

1.  The Freedom Ride Bicycle Program for Girls provides bicycles to girls in remote locations so that they can travel to school, and therefore complete their education

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/girls-education-through-bicycles-in-india/

http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/pr/2000/proj1963a.html 

2.  Mann Deshi Udyogini (B-school for rural women in india) brings life skills and financial training to poor rural wage laborers, empowering them to become successful businesswomen.

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/business-school1/ 

3.  Mann Deshi Champions (Sports Program) Mann Deshi's Champions Sports Program provides sport training to poor rural children, providing the opportunity to broaden their skills both physically and socially.

 http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/mann-deshi-champions-champions-sports-program/

To make an anonymous donation, a donation on behalf of another person, or to donate as a gift in a friend's name, please visit www.globalgiving.com and search "Mann Deshi Foundation", or go directly to Mann Deshi's link:

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/business-school1/

With many thanks and warm wishes for a wonderful Christmas holiday season and New Year.

Happy Holidays,

Yours Sincerely,

Vanita

Links:

• Kantabai Salunkhe: when education adds up