Message from the President - Rebirth

As I write this message for our spring newsletter, it’s hard to think it’s SPRING when the high today in Jodhpur is 116°F. But if I think of spring as the season of rebirth and new beginnings, that describes Sambhali perfectly.

In April, Sambhali Trust opened the doors of a new office and four new Empowerment Centers and Primary Education Centers in Jaisalmer, a town in far west Rajasthan near the Pakistani border. These centers reach communities in dire need that are usually ignored by other non-profit organizations. When I was in India in March, I was able to visit the four bastis (shantytown or slum areas) where the new centers are located and meet some of the newest staff members as they planned the hard work ahead.

As for spring weather? It can be even hotter in Jaisalmer, and I’ve heard from staff that electricity is often limited to ten hours a day. Yet in that heat and darkness comes the birth of these amazing projects. Read more about Sambhali Trust’s new beginnings in Jaisalmer here.

With Covid restrictions eased in India, Sambhali Trust’s Primary Education Centers also reopened in Jodhpur and Setrawa. These projects had been closed since the beginning of the pandemic so photos of young children learning to hold a pencil, to read, write, add, subtract—and to experience the joy of learning—is a rebirth to be cherished.

Sambhali Trust staff are again able to go to elementary schools to educate young children about how to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and to talk with teens about both sexual abuse and the mental and physical challenges of puberty—all through the Aadarsh project.

Spring came to the Sambhali Trust’s three boarding homes, where the girls and young women ranging from elementary school to graduate school all had the opportunity to play hard during the spring festival Holi and show how serious they are about their futures as they studied to take the important end-of-year exams.

Here are two views of the Laadli girls—playing with color during Holi and while studying for 5th class exams. (And, no, I have no idea how they got all the Holi color out of their clothes. I still have a bit in my hair two months later.)

As I write this, the 5th class and 12th class are waiting for their board scores and the college students will take their exams soon, but all the other girls have been promoted to the next class with good scores and grades—a victory to be celebrated after a very tough pandemic year.

And spring is here at Sambhali U.S. where the Board of Directors met to determine what programs we would fund for Sambhali Trust’s fiscal year which began on April 1.

The answer: All the above – and more!

Sambhali U.S. is a small organization, but because of the ability of Sambhali Trust to make every rupee go as far as possible, your generosity is making a huge impact.

With a grant of $25,000 to Empowerment Centers, Sambhali U.S. is supporting 95 women seeking the education they were denied as children and vocational skills to build their future.
We reach 60 children of those women and others from the community with our $16,000 grant to Primary Education Centers where children strive to become first-generation learners.
At boarding homes, our $22,000 grant means 14 girls and young women will continue their education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels.
Our $13,000 grant to prevent gender-based violence and provide legal, psychological, and other support for survivors will reach over six thousand people through the Nirbhaya project.
And a $1000 grant to the Aadarsh project will reach over 1800 children and teens with vital educational programs in their schools.

Together Sambhali U.S.’s $77,000 in grants this year will join with other generous funders to bring a year of birth, rebirth, hard work, and joy.

This is what your generosity means on the ground in India, where it is brutally hot, but where your support brings a cool breeze of hope.

My hope is your heart feels the joy of spring renewal—along with my gratitude for all you have done to touch the lives of the women and girls of Sambhali.

Shereen Arent
President, Sambhali U.S.