ChildFund India’s Udaan project invests in girls’ education

So much is at stake as young people make the journey from classroom to workplace. Higher education is a critical part of that journey – but for many youth, it’s not always within reach.

Meet Pooja, a 24-year-old from Bangalore, India. She considered dropping out of school when she was faced with financial hardships after her father’s death. With no one to turn to, she started to look for scholarships.

That’s when she learned about ChildFund India’s Udaan Fellowship Program. Through the program, she received a scholarship to complete her bachelor’s degree in urban planning.

Today, Pooja works as a research associate for a sustainability-focused company. She provides financial support to her mother and has even helped her family build a new home. Whenever she can, she helps others in need in her community, too.

Barriers to girls’ education in India

Pooja is just one of 1,100 young women in 12 states of India whose careers are getting a kickstart through the Udaan Fellowship Program.

Where she lives, much attention is often given to boys’ higher education – but girls often face barriers due to restrictive social and cultural norms. This results in continued gender inequality and slows down social progress.

The Udaan Fellowship Program addresses these issues by supporting girls from disadvantaged backgrounds with scholarships to pursue higher education and build their careers. The program offers not only scholarships but also financial support, career counseling, mentorship, job-oriented training, 21st-century life skills development and more. These skills support long-term success as fellows learn to interact positively and productively, understand their emotions and strengths, make informed decisions and manage their time effectively. The program also mobilizes families to support girls in pursuing higher education through awareness, regular home visits and check-ins.

“I didn’t know about life skills and how they can help our life. This session has helped me to understand myself better,” says V. Janshi, a fellow from Vijayawada and one of many girls benefiting from life skills sessions.

The ripple effect of girls’ education

The Udaan program is not only impacting the lives of participants, but also inspiring other girls and parents in their communities to achieve socioeconomic independence.

Mansi, a dedicated student from Bangalore, dreamed of getting her bachelor’s degree in commerce. Her father’s income as a vegetable vendor was often insufficient to meet the family’s needs, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened their financial situation. Mansi’s family even considered marrying her off due to financial pressure.

Fortunately, a scholarship from the Udaan program allowed her to continue her education and earn her degree. Inspired by the support she received, she now wants to help other students in the future.

The stories of Pooja and Mansi highlight the positive impact of investing in girls’ education. In fact, the Udaan program’s efforts align with the Indian government’s initiatives to transform the education landscape in India. As we collectively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we will continue to support more girls to pursue higher education and create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.

This piece was adapted from a blog by ChildFund India.