Educate an Indian Child Experiencing Poverty

A new first of its kind efficacy study focusing on sustainable transformation and breaking the cycle of poverty shows the Christel House model is dramatically transforming the lives of impoverished children. The sixteen week-long study was done by education and CSR domain experts from global management consulting firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP.  

According to the study, a student starting primary education in Christel House India Bangalore is 8 times more likely to successfully complete the 12^th grade graduation examination and 19 times more likely to graduate from a higher education program as compared to a government school student.

The study also examined other NGOs and government schools serving a similar demographic. Students at Christel House India - Bangalore are over 25% more likely to pass the 10^th grade examination, and 50% more likely to pass the 12^th grade examination than students of government schools serving a similar demographic.

“It is our commitment to reverse generational poverty and transform lives,” says Raju Shahani, Managing Director of Christel House India. “This study proves Christel House works.”

The mission of Christel House is to transform the lives of impoverished children around the world—breaking the cycle of poverty and building self-sufficient, contributing members of society. A focus on academic excellence through a robust K–12 curriculum is combined with a strong character development program to give students the skills and competencies necessary to compete successfully in complex 21st Century society.

Much more than a school, Christel House was established in 1998 by Founder and CEO Christel DeHaan, and currently serves nearly 4,100 impoverished children through seven learning centers—located in India, Mexico, South Africa and the U.S.A. Christel House students maintain a 98% graduation exam pass rate, and the majority of its graduates go on to pursue higher education. They become productive citizens, and many secure employment with top multinational corporations. Christel House graduates are confident, hardworking, responsible and ethical, with a passion for giving back to their communities and caring for their families.

The communities served by Christel House are among the poorest of the poor. Abject poverty often means there is no food.

India is home to the world's largest food insecure population, with more than 500 million people who are hungry. Among children in India, 42.5% under the age of five are underweight. Whether it is in the urban slums of Bangalore or the semi-urban communities in Naya Raipur, children do not have enough food to eat and definitely not enough nutritious food.

Yachna is just one of these children. At 5 years old, she is quite small for her age, even by Indian standards. She enrolled in kindergarten at Christel House India—Naya Raipur in August, 2016.

At Christel House, we understand that a child who is hungry cannot learn. That is why we provide students with breakfast, lunch and a snack every school day, 80% of our kids’ daily nutrition.

A lunch meal might include rice, vegetables, eggs, chapatti, yogurt and fruit. Mineral and vitamin supplements are also provided.

About ten days after Yachna started school, a teacher saw her rolling up her chapatti, which is similar to a flat bread, and putting it into her bag. The teacher asked Yachna why she was doing this. Yachna said “I know I will get food at school tomorrow. My sister doesn’t go to school and she doesn’t have chapatti to eat, so I am taking it for her.”

Because of your support, Yachna and other students at Christel House now have food security. They go to sleep knowing that there will be food on the table when they come to school. Thank you for helping to fill tummies and nourish minds. You are providing a seat at the table of life for Christel House kids. 

Links:

• Learn more about Christel House
• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter