Since Michèle Fériaud met Sunil N., Ra Foundation's founder (the local association to which all your donations are transferred), other children like Rekha were able to benefit from Indian Smiles' financial support to improve their education and living conditions. Here is their story:
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REKHA PAWAR
She is now pursuing art studies.
Born on November 1st, 2001, she was discovered by Michèle Fériaud on a sidewalk in Mumbai, between her visually-impaired parents, not far from the CST station (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) also known by its former name Victoria Terminus.
[Rekha
AMUDA NAIDU
She is the first graduated student of our proteges. She now works as an accountant
She was born on January 8th, 1998. Her single mother, living in a single room, provided for the needs of four children, the father being deceased. Amuda is her relatives' pride. She knows she is the only protection against her family's poverty.
[amuda
SEEMA KALAL
She now studies hospitality management
Born on January 29th, 2001, Seema lived in Mumbai with her grandmother and two younger brothers. Her mother then takes care of their needs alone, the father being absent. Enrolled in the Happy Kids program since 2009, she currently lives in Chennai where she is pursuing a 3-year training.
[Seema
MORE CHILDREN...
Whenever possible, Indian Smiles supports other children
53 children (girls and boys) are currently placed under Ra Foundation's protection. They are for the most part enrolled to the Happy Kids program but some are still waiting for sponsors to finance their entire education...
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How are your donations used?
Indian Smiles association has committed to bear the costs of these three young girls since Ra Foundation started taking care of them. Depending on the family situation and the age of each child, the tuition fees and living expenses rise €2,000-2,500 per academic year, variable on a case-by-case basis. On average, the monthly budget amounts to €150-200. This budget includes tuition fees, housing, food, clothes, books, extracurricular activities and also expenses related to family visits. Sometimes contingencies and unforeseen costs need to be covered as well, such as medical care.
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All the funds collected by Indian Smiles are transferred to Ra Foundation in order to provide specifically for Rekha's, Amuda's and Seema's needs. To date, we cannot commit for the financing and follow up of another child's education. We prefer to get better known to raise more funds and reinforce our actions.
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In some case, when the donations collected exceed the annual costs of our three young proteges, these additional financial resources then make it possible to support the other children of Ra Foundation on an ad hoc basis.
This "extra" financial support seems less visible since it is not assigned to a particular child but it is nevertheless as valuable and rewarding since it allows to deal with Ra Foundation's common expenses.
THE CHILDREN