Project Jatropha
Trust. Collaboration. Action.
United against environmental destruction and poverty, we stand.
Ashoka Youth Venture: Adopt a Rural School Program
Project Director for India: Apoorva Rangan
Project Director for Haiti: Callie Roberts
Project Advisor: Adarsha Shivakumar
Youth Venture Director of Bay area: Amy Wilson.
Venture mentors: Ravi Mistry and John Granados
Why Adopt a Rural School Program
When we work at the project site in India, we see many kids from the nearby villages happily playing on the muddy roads unaware of their future. Many rural schools have poor learning conditions. The situation in Haiti is no better; We have heard heartbreaking stories about the poverty and misfortune the children face. With the recent earthquake the already depressed conditions have plunged into extremely dismal conditions for the children. Our project sponsor, Michelle Lacourciere, Director of the Sirona Cares Foundation is dedicated to helping improve the lives of the children in Haiti. Her foundation helps to provide the children what they need to thrive: like nutrition, access to clean water, clothing, shelter, and medicines. She has been working with the Mission of Hope School to establish its first tri-lingual library. We have been inspired by the work that is being done by organizations there, and we want to help too. Most of the children in Haiti are undernourished and lack basic necessities to thrive. Our project has brought these children to our hearts and we cannot turn away from them.
Don't they deserve a better chance at life? This question pricks our heart almost every day, and this is why we came up with the idea of “Adopt a Rural School” venture. We believe that the future lies in the hands of children!
The Program Goals
The fruit and vegetable food group is the heart of a healthy diet for everyone. We at Project Jatropha believe it is important for every child to eat fresh fruits every day. Firstly we are establishing a mini fruit garden in the school premises.
By enabling the children to plant and care for fruit trees we will help them get some of the basic nutrition they need. Learning the skills of maintaining a sustainable garden will benefit the rural school community. They will discover and connect with the art of sustainable agriculture. In addition, this effort will engage them in a creative activity and teach them lessons of responsibility and self-reliance.
We also provide essential books and locally available science kits and help them establish a mini library and hands on mini science labs to improve learning conditions. In addition, we also teach the students about environmental issues, like the importance of environmental protection, and the dangers of climate change. We dedicate this program to creating a positive change and improving the lives of the children in sustainable ways.
Information about the Sponsor
Ashoka Youth Venture is a nonprofit organization which inspires and invests in teams of young people to design and launch their own lasting social ventures, enabling them to have this transformative experience of leading positive social change. The Venturers start businesses, civil society organizations and informal programs that address all kinds of social issues, including poverty, health, the elderly, the environment, education, diversity issues, and the arts.
It offers
- Seed funding of up to $1,000
- Guidance, tools and support
- Allies who provide advice, mentoring and expertise
- A supportive network of fellow Youth Venturers
- Identity as part of movement toward youth-led social change
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