Pardada Pardadi

Why choose Pardada Pardadi?

Founded in the year 2000, the PPES journey started with just 31 girls in the first batch at the school in Anupshahr district Bulandshahr. Due to an age-old patriarchal society and the mindset of the community towards the girl child, girls were not sent to school. With years of consistent effort, PPES is now working with more than 3000+ girls and approximately 10,400 women.

The objective is the social uplift and economic empowerment of the girls and women in this region. Our interventions are in the fields of

Education – Formal School, Education Transformation Program & Higher Education
Health & Hygiene- Preventive & Holistic Healthcare
Community Development – Livelihood generation, income enhancement & capacity building of rural women.
Economic Empowerment- Skill-building & employment generation
With the ultimate aim of ensuring financial independence for these girls and women, PPES also ensures that they are equal and contributing members of their families and communities.

Website

pardadapardadi.org

Founded

2000

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Community Photos

Watching the student arrive in the morning.

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Reviews

I volunteered for PPES for a year back in 2009, and then again for a month at a time in 2011, 2013, and 2017. I can say with certainty that my work there made a positive impact on the lives of my students, and also that the school made a huge impact on me and my life.

PPES is transforming society from the ground up, improving education, women’s empowerment, health, and the environment. Over the time I volunteered with PPES, I saw firsthand our impact on the lives of individual students as well as on the village. Growing up in a society where women’s education is not valued, and where many students’ mothers cannot read or write, PPES students are taught all of the basics but also empowered with self-esteem, sports, creative arts, and numerous other programs.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Stay open-minded and stay patient. A lot of things are done differently in rural India, but be receptive to how things are done in the village and at the school. Change comes from within, and volunteers cannot and should not expect to come in as a stranger and change the school overnight. However, by learning from and working with the school administrators and teachers, volunteers can be immensely helpful in teaching and preparing the older students for life after PPES.

Pros

Volunteers are not charged to work, and room and board are included with the program
You’ll meet remarkable people and have incredibly memorable experiences
While volunteering, it is relatively easy to take short breaks to travel around India

Cons

The village is quite remote, so be prepared that there is no mall, movie theater, nightlife, etc.
It is extremely hot in the summer

To anyone considering working with Pardada Pardadi, I say, do it. Not only is this an unbelievably important initiative, it provides volunteers with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a world totally unfamiliar to them. This works on multiple levels, including a chance to make lifelong connections with incredible students and teachers. This experience opened me up, reframed my preconceived notions, and allowed me to come away with such a greater sense of what it really means to help each other. I honestly cannot say enough good things about the staff at the school and the students who call it a second home. There's a familial warmth surrounding the campus that extends into town. You'll get to explore and learn about Indian culture first-hand. Attend the daily prayers on the edge of the Ganges (take a boat ride too), eat some of the freshest and most authentic Indian food you'll ever have, and the best part, spend your time elevating (and inversely learning from) the girls at PPES. Easily one of the top three things I've done in my life.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Be open-minded, always. Recognize that your experiences are not the sum total of you, and the same goes for others. Lean into discomfort and realize that it's probably not nearly as uncomfortable as you think. All of it is an opportunity. On the more pragmatic side, research the time of year you'll be there, and pack appropriately.

Pros

Lifelong friendships
The most authentic Indian experience you can get
Practice in communicating across languages and cultures (cross-cultural communication)

Cons

It is completely volunteer, so make sure you have enough money saved to do it and enjoy, or that your work can sustain through your time
Not really a con, but it certainly helps to be a self-starter (e.g. if you see an opportunity to go do something/help, ask!)
Depending on the time of year it can be excessively hot (not so much a con as it is a fact of life in this part of the world).

I first went to PPES in 2010 for several months. Since that time, I became totally committed to the school and have returned 14 times, taking groups of volunteers with me.

I founded a health and hygiene program and was able to build a health clinic, hire medical staff, organize medical camps, immunization programs and a number of other projects.

You will not be disappointed in the unique and amazing experience, where the lives of thousands of girls and women have been changed through education, empowerment and employment opportunities.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Everyday was is full of unexpected experiences that, as westerners, we have no frame of reference for.

Pros

Safety is #1 priority for all volunteers
Food and housing are provided on campus
Freedom to use your own gifts and talents in program you choose to work in

Cons

Experience third world problems
So much you can do, never enough time
Language barriers can create challenges which can always be solved

I loved my time in Anupshahar and it changed my life! While the school is remote, I felt safe living within school grounds. Everyday I got to spend it with the most amazing group of girls and teachers. This school is quite literally transforming this town and the surrounding villages by educating and uplifting girls. The school is involved in so many programs for the girls and also with the self-help groups within the communities. They allowed me to help where I felt my strengths were. I spent most of my time in the English lab helping older girls become more comfortable speaking English, because most of these girls were going on to higher education in the big cities, like Bangalore and Delhi, where English would be necessary.

What was your funniest moment?

I was in tears daily from laughing so hard with the girls. Some of the girls come from such hardship but the school allows them to flourish and enjoy life. We would often goof off in English lab, play music, games and just have fun!

Pros