Be the Change India
We believe in the power of education to change lives
We believe in the transformational power of education which affirms and values every child.
Saphara is dedicated to providing transformational education for young people and teachers which encompass intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. We believe in the power of education to change the lives of the most deprived and marginalised children.
The schools we work with provide child-centred education which values and affirms young people, giving them the chance to flourish regardless of social status, religion or gender.
Saphara currently supports six schools run by local partner NGOs. Such organisations are uniquely placed to effect long-term and sustainable change in the communities they serve. Our partner schools are situated in various locations, from deprived areas in cities to those catering to the most rural communities in the foothills of the Himalayas. Saphara supports the education of over 2,500 students in these schools by funding classrooms, paying teachers’ salaries and providing a cooked lunch – sometimes the only hot meal the pupils will eat in the day.
Here are profiles of two schools which have, for many years, hosted the Saphara NI schools teams, giving wonderful opportunities for transformational learning encounters between the Northern Irish and Indian young people.
SNEHA Doon Academy
SNEHA Doon Academy exists thanks to the inspiration and dedication of Dr Reeta Rao, who left her medical career to help deprived communities in Dehradun. By 1995 they had a plot of land and soon after SNEHA was born. It has seen thousands of students move from class one to class twelve and has provided them with opportunities that they otherwise would not have had. Saphara have been supporting and visiting SNEHA since 2009, helping build classrooms and toilet blocks, paying the salaries of senior teachers and sponsoring children to go to school. You can find out more by watching Dr Reeta’s story here.
Kaplani High School
Kaplani High School is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas near the hill town of Mussoorie. It provides an education to around 100 students and is reliant on local groups and Saphara to maintain its running costs. We have a proud history of sponsoring pupils at Kaplani and the nearby Donk Primary School.
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Saphara believes that every child is of immense value and worth and that education is key to enabling disadvantaged youth to overcome poverty. The charity focuses on educational projects which build capacity, and strategic interventions which empower young people. Saphara works in partnership with local schools and NGOs that can demonstrate buy-in and ownership from local communities. These are uniquely placed to effect long-term and sustainable change.
Our Programmes
SAPHARA
Be the Change Schools
Each year we partner with secondary schools across NI to deliver Be the Change Award to 150 sixth form students.
SAPHARA
Be the Change Girls
There are 15 million girls worldwide who are never expected to enrol in school. We want to change that.
SAPHARA
Be the Change Colleges
Teaching students from Stranmillis and St Mary’s Colleges to deliver affirming education to marginalised children in NI and in India.
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