WRG Executive Committee has undertaken several initiatives since the Gala in April 2018.
Below is a summary of each of these initiatives:
A new course in “Beauty and Wellness” was started in Sawai Madhopur for young women from least developed districts in Rajasthan. Completion of this course will not only improve the capabilities of these women, but will also allow them to become wage earners and/or small business entrepreneurs. The first session was started in August 2018, and at the end of training, all ten students were awarded certificates after clearing a final exam. The next session began in December 2018 and students are now eagerly awaiting an advanced course in hair dressing.
A grant was awarded to Swapna Sarthak School in Gurgaon, Haryana for children from underprivileged families. The school especially reaches out to female children to promote their empowerment through education. Swapna Sarthak School is an English medium school that offers all around holistic education and even offers classes in music and martial arts. The school was started by the Gunjan Foundation in April 2010 with 60 students in a leased building and by 2018 we have 250 students through the 8th grade.
Sannidhi Primary School, Najafgarh was started in 2016 and has 80 students with classes from Pre-K to first grade. In addition to academics, they are learning English and music, participating in children’s programs in literature, storytelling, and going out for picnics.
A new scholarship program benefitting one student per year at “Pro Beauty Academy” in Edison, NJ was started. The academy offers a nine-month course in Cosmetology. After completing training, our scholarship recipient has passed the licensing exam.
WRG will be funding two scholarships for college students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at City University of New Jersey.