Bikes for Girls in India
The Rotary Club of Tunkhannock recently donated $2,500 to buy 50 bicycles for students at the Pardada Pardadi School for girls in rural India. Pardada Pardadi Educational Society is a non-profit organization based in Anoopshahr, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India, dedicated to the academic, economic and social empowerment of girls and women in this poor area of the country. Unfortunately, in rural areas over 85% of the village girls have never been to school. Pardada Pardadi is trying to change that. Some girls have to travel significant distances to the school, which is where the bicycles will make a difference. The girls have to pay a percentage of the cost of the bikes, allowing them to have ownership and care for them.
Advocate for the School, Mary Cairns shared the following with the club:
"I am so excited for the girls to have their new bikes, thanks very much to your Club. You can note on the photos that the girls tend to keep the plastic wrap on their bikes, as long as they can, to protect them. It's an "India" thing. I love that they were also able to get baskets on the bikes.
Please know that your Club has really brought bright light into the lives of 50 of our girls. We so appreciate your support. "
The girls with their new bikes.