Aarti’s girls celebrating International Day of the Girl (click to enlarge)

Aarti Naik, our contact in India, is doing incredible work. October 11 was the International Day of the Girl, and no one celebrated quite like Aarti, we’re sure!

Aarti, the “one woman army,” started her program for girls (Sakhi for Girls Education) over five years ago, aiming to augment what is often a substandard state-sponsored education (especially for girls and especially for girls from the lowest income level). She is working with many girls now, helping them learn reading, art, mathematics and other important skills. They celebrate important days in India’s history together, as well as important days for each other, like International Day of the Girl. Aarti knows how important an education is, especially for women, and she is making a huge difference in the lives of these young ladies, who will learn more about their worth and their potential from her than they probably ever would from their “official” education. Thanks, Aarti, for making a huge difference!

The girls studying hard in the newly-painted Girls’ Learning Center (click to enlarge)

Deep in thought (click to enlarge)

At the Learning Center, the girls learn about all the important aspects of their lives (click to enlarge)

Studying hard (click to enlarge)

Math exercises (click to enlarge)

Happy girls! (click to enlarge)