Light a Lamp, India

Light a Lamp, India, with Sponsors and Donors from 6 countries, is a non-profit that focusses on children who are at the risk of dropping out of school. These children come from economically challenged families and their parents' job profile is street vendors, daily wage earners, garbage collectors, house maids to name a few. Within this segment of children, this non -profit initiative particularly focusses on 12-17 year old girl children - ones who have zero access to menstruation hygiene. For one year of their life they receive the most basic utilitries that cannot afford- santitary pads, liquid soap, medicines for cramps. But beyond that they receive something truly valuable for them- an educated, empathetic Mentor who will speak with them about this topic which is so taboo in their family, in their community. They experience, mostly for the first time in their life, a person who will clarify myths, dispel the shame and stigma around having periods, around being girls. Once they have experienced the power of empathy, scientific thinking and the ability to care for themselves - they find a purpose to continue their education. Their 'Why' of finishing school, the 'Why' of earning enough to take care of their most crying needs. That is the lighting of a lamp.