Ignorance and gender biases plague the planet. In a world seemingly so evolved, with new upcoming technology and scientific advancements constantly pervading the headlines, how is it that some children are still being denied the right to education? Young girls all around the world, in areas like Pakistan, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, and India, face significant barriers to education including poverty, access to resources, and stereotypical perceptions of gender roles that relegate the education of girls to the margins. Many of these young girls yearn to learn, but cannot do so because of poverty or gender inequalities. The Malala Fund focuses on this issue as a primary goal and uses donated money to build schools for students or provide scholarships to those who cannot afford to attend schools.
After learning about these young girls who are denied the right to education, we decided to take a stand against gender biases and poverty. As young women, we believe that education provides a path to empowerment and opens up multiple options for growth including better employment options, ability to advocate for oneself, and access to leadership roles. We believe that education is a fundamental human right and a pathway to empowerment that should be available to all children including girls and women. We decided that young women around the world can, and should, be allowed to learn. Therefore, we decided to collect any money that we receive for our Arangetram and donate it to the Malala Fund.
After joining WISHOF.org, we realized that we needed to take a stand against this issue. Therefore, we decide to raise money for the Malala Fund. However, we did not know how to do so. After hours of contemplating this issue, we decided the best way to raise money was through our Bharatanatyam Arangetram. We requested our guests to donate money for the Malala Fund rather than give us gifts. Then, we took all of the donated money and gave it to the Malala Fund in order for them to build schools for girls or provide scholarships to those who cannot afford to attend schools.
When the time came to pick an initiative, based on their research and understanding of the relevant issues, Sarayu and Avina chose to raise funds and financially support Malala Fund.
Being talented Bharatanatyam dancers, they committed to doing a full length program, accompanied by live musicians, who were flown in from India. Details as per attached Invitation/brochure/Photographs. A full length dance performance was held at the Colt’s Neck High School on September 28. Sarayu and Avina dedicated this evening to all the children in this world and especially girls who are being denied the right to education. Over 300 guests attended and $1,544 was collected. A check for this amount has been sent to the Organization managing Malala Fund with the request to utilize these funds in the areas, as summarized in the attachment titled Malala Fund.
Letter to Malala Fund »
List of Donors »
Comprehensive Summary »
News Transcript Article »
Acknowledgement - Malala Fund »
Event Invitation
Event Photos
