Educational society transforms lives in rural Uttar Pradesh

The Pardada Pardadi Educational Society (PPES) is making a positive impact in the lives of girls and women in Anupshahr in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district. Founded in 2000, PPES started with just 31 girls in its first class. At that time, many girls in the community weren’t sent to school because of deep-rooted traditions and a lack of belief in the value of educating girls.

Today, PPES has grown significantly, now working with over 3,000 girls. The organisation is unique because it provides free education and also deposits 10 rupees each day in the students’ accounts for attending school. Along with education, the students receive three meals a day, ensuring their basic needs are met.

PPES is not just about education. It also focuses on economic and social development. The organisation offers vocational training to help women gain skills and find employment. This approach is helping to raise educational standards and improve the overall well-being of the community.

Their work includes several key areas: formal education, health and hygiene, community development, and economic empowerment. They provide preventive healthcare, help with livelihood generation, and support skill-building to create job opportunities. 

The goal of PPES is to make sure that girls and women become financially independent and equal members of their families and communities. Their holistic approach to education and empowerment is creating lasting positive changes in the lives of many, proving that with the right support, significant transformation is possible.

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The lead image on top shows the students of the Pardada Pardadi Educational Society attending class at the institution.

Suhail Bhat, a multimedia journalist from Kashmir, is a Village Square Fellow 2023-24.