India

Faces of Hope – Higher Education for Girls

For many girls and young women in India, higher education is nothing more than a pipe dream. Poverty, traditional gender roles, and family concerns prevent them from having the opportunity to use their talents to break the vicious cycle of lack of education and limited prospects. Through a scholarship program for higher education, we therefore support girls and young women from low-income backgrounds on their path to social advancement.

At a glance

Target audience

Young women aged 15 to 24 from low-income backgrounds in urban and rural areas of Kakinada District in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh

Goal

Promoting higher education for girls from disadvantaged households through scholarships and other forms of support

Partners & Donors

ChildFund India

In the Global Gender Gap Index, which measures gender inequality in countries, India ranks 140th out of 156 countries, making it the third-worst-performing country in South Asia.

Every year, significantly more boys than girls start school. Of the girls who start school, 70% drop out before reaching the age of 14. Not even half of all Indian women have completed secondary school.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, only about one-third of girls attended the online classes offered—a smaller proportion than among boys.

Donate to India now!

Let’s give girls and young women the opportunity to pursue vocational training or a college degree!

Our Commitment to India

To address this issue, we have launched a scholarship program called “Faces of Hope,” which enables girls from low-income families to access higher education and pursue careers of their own choosing. Talented girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are supported and encouraged to develop into independent women.

Through scholarships covering educational expenses such as tuition, books, and living costs, we provide financial support to these girls and young women, ensuring that students can focus on their studies and the development of their skills—without being burdened by financial constraints. To cover additional costs, we identify other funding sources, such as government programs, and connect the scholarship recipients with them.

However, our support goes beyond a simple scholarship program: We not only promote access to higher education courses such as business administration, computer science, nursing, and medicine, but also support the girls by equipping them with important, up-to-date skills for professional success. This includes workshops on skills development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Furthermore, scholarship recipients are advised in small groups by suitable mentors on academic and career decisions as well as personal life issues, and are guided in developing their own vision for the future. Individual career counseling helps the girls recognize their strengths, interests, and aspirations, realize their true potential, and become role models themselves.

Your donation makes a difference!

Career Counseling

By participating in a career counseling and guidance session, a scholarship recipient can choose her own path.

Donate €6

Workshop

In a skills development workshop, eight scholarship recipients are gaining specialized knowledge and specific expertise.

Donate €50

Scholarship

The contribution toward a full scholarship enables girls to complete their higher education.

Donate €100

Give children a future now

Your donation helps create a world where children can grow up safely, develop freely, and overcome poverty.

Häufig gefragt

What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?

Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.

How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?

The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.

How does ChildFund Germany work?

Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.

The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.

In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.

What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?

Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.

The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.

What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?

We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.

How can I support ChildFund Germany?

There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.

How many people does ChildFund Germany reach?

Through our work, we reach people in over 30 countries around the world. Our projects benefit more than 80,000 children, their families, and their communities.

Give children a future now

Your donation helps create a world where children can grow up safely, develop freely, and overcome poverty.

Or become a sponsor?

Donation account: Postbank | IBAN: DE61 6001 0070 0001 7107 02 | BIC: PBNKDEFF