Educate Her Empower Her

Dear Global Givers,

We are pleased to share the latest update on the journey of our scholars. Your generous and ongoing support is enabling bright and talented girls from some of the most vulnerable communities in rural Rajasthan to continue their education and pursue their dreams.

On behalf of our entire team and the scholars, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. It is because of your unwavering support that these girls and iPartner India can dream of a future where no girl is forced into intergenerational sex work against her will in the name of customary practices.

Enrollment Drive

As schools began admissions for the new academic year in Rajasthan, iPartner India enrolled eight new girls from highly vulnerable communities into residential boarding schools and colleges, bringing the total number of girls so far supported in hostels to 35.

So far, we have provided 920 scholarships to vulnerable girls — both boarding and non-boarding, thanks to your continued support. Of the newly enrolled scholars, one will pursue graduation, and the remaining seven have joined Classes 9 and 11.

The academic results from the previous session for all the girls were very encouraging. One of our Class 12 scholars scored 78%, while another completed her B.A. final year with a score of 80%. These are just two examples, each girl is who has been enrolled has been working hard to challenge stereotypes and prove that they, too, can achieve their dreams.

Stories of New Scholars

Neelam (name changed), a 14-year-old from Harsuliya village in Jaipur, is the daughter of Laxmi, a village mobilizer with iPartner India working in the Rakshan program, an initiative that creates safe spaces for children and prevents commercial sexual exploitation.

Laxmi belongs to a Denotified Tribe historically marginalized since British colonial rule. The community practices intergenerational sex work. Despite immense family pressure, she broke away from generations of tradition to become a social worker. Her courage has inspired her daughter, Neelam.

Neelam is a brilliant student, consistently scoring above 90% and excelling in sports like cricket, as well as in drawing, painting, dancing, and public speaking. She has won multiple awards in school competitions and dreams of becoming a lawyer, with the goal of protecting women and girls from exploitation in her community.

Her circumstances, however, are difficult. Neelam’s father is mentally unwell and unable to work, and her grandfather, once the family’s main support, has passed away. Laxmi has single-handedly raised Neelam and her younger brother for the past eight years, relying solely on her modest income from iPartner India. Meanwhile, Neelam’s two aunts are involved in sex work in Mumbai, and the family faces constant pressure to send Neelam down the same path.

With your support, Neelam has now been enrolled in Class 9 at a prestigious boarding school. Her story is one of courage and possibility. Her success will serve as a powerful message to others in her community that education is a real, dignified alternative to traditional forms of exploitation.

Nishi (name changed), a 17-year-old from Sawai Madhopur district, belongs to the Kanjar caste, another Denotified Tribe burdened by historic discrimination. In her community, a deeply entrenched custom pushes minor girls into the sex trade.

Nishi is one of the most intelligent and hardworking girls in her village. In Class 9, her parents pressured her to join her elder sister in Mumbai, where she had been forced into sex work. When Nishi refused, they forced her into an engagement. Displaying immense bravery, she broke off the engagement and managed to appear for her Class 12 board exams passing with an impressive 88%, particularly excelling in History subject.

Encouraged by her teachers, Nishi convinced her family to let her continue her studies. With the help of iPartner India mobiliser Nisha was enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program at a residential college. Her dream is to become a teacher and guide other children towards education and dignity. Her journey could inspire an entire generation of girls in her community to pursue education instead of being trapped in sexual exploitation or early marriage.

The Need is Still Great

Neelam and Nishi represent the aspirations of many girls who want to complete their education but face enormous challenges financial constraints, societal pressures, and the threat of early marriage or sexual exploitation. This year, iPartner India received many scholarship requests, but due to limited funding, we were unable to support them all.

One such case was Neha (name changed), a young girl from Madhya Pradesh who was accepted into an aviation training program. Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources, she had to withdraw her admission. Talented and determined scholars like Neha continue to struggle to fulfill their dreams.

To prioritize support, iPartner India maintains a Vulnerability Index, which helps us identify and enroll the most at-risk girls into boarding schools and colleges. This approach offers them both education and safety protecting them from harmful pressures at home.

How You Can Help

Your ongoing support is the foundation of this life-changing initiative. With your help, we can ensure that more girls are safe, educated, and empowered and that generations of harmful traditions can finally be broken.

Thank you once again for believing in these girls and in the power of education to transform lives. We look forward to your continued partnership to support Neelam and Nishi.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Team iPartner India