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“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less travelled and that has made
all the difference”
Robert Frost
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The Veerni Project
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In Hindi, Veerni means heroine or woman of strength. The Veerni Project is guided
by the core belief that when girls and women are educated and healthy, they will
have the strength to create positive changes in their lives as well as in their
communities and gain economic independence.
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Why Veerni is Needed
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Around 15 million people live in western Rajasthan. 79% of these inhabitants live
in small rural villages which are extremely underdeveloped. Many villages lack electricity,
clean water, proper roads, schools and medical care. Agriculture and stock breeding
are the principal activities but are monsoon dependent. Droughts manifest in the
form of crop failure, un-replenished ground and surface water and a scarcity of
fodder, resulting in a loss of livestock. Malnutrition is still widespread, and
it is estimated that 46 % of Indian children are malnourished. While child marriages
have been illegal for many years, they still take place on a regular basis. In India,
and especially in rural Rajasthan, there is still a profound bias against girls,
which has led to one of the world's lowest women to men ratio: 914 for every 1000
men.
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Sponsors
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We receive amazing support from family foundations and individuals in the US, UK
and Switzerland...
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Read more
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Partners
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The Global Foundation for Humanity (GFH) has supported Sambhali in setting up the
Sheerni Project in Setrawa...
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Read more
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How Veerni Works
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Veerni Team
Girls' Education
Veerni Institute
Advisory Council/Board of Directors
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Read more
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- Sep 20, 2012
General health camp was organized at the Veerni Institute on 20 Sept. Ms. Vimlesh examined girls all the girls.
General problem was noticed like seasonal diseases, cough, eye, ear and skin related diseases.
Medicines were distributed to them. A session on health and hygiene was also taken by Ms. Vilmesh. Read more- Jul 14, 2012
The Veerni Institute girls’ result has been declared for the year 2011-12 Click here- Nov 08, 2011
Mary Anne Schwalbe Literary Prize awarded. - Oct 20, 2011
In memory of Mary Anne Schwalbe, a wonderful Veerni supporter, a writing competition was organized for class 11 and 12 to encourage creative writing. Poetry, prose or a play could be written, based on the theme Friendship. Many well-written entries were received, and Mary Anne's son Will Schwalbe kindly judged the works. - Sep 28, 2011
Sunita Chouhan's play won first prize. It is very clever and creatively approached, she really has something to say. A party took place to celebrate with over 100 people present.
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Child Brides
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In the next 10 years, an estimated 100 million girls will be married before they
turn 18. On Friday, October 12, 2008, in an hour-long special broadcast, NOW took
an unprecedented inside look at a global custom that devastates girls' lives and
holds back communities.
Click here to watch the documentary
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However very gradually change can be seen, as reported in the Times of India of
November 19, 2009; 'Young girls are raising voices loud enough to be heard beyond
the courtyard.' Perhaps not able to change their own lives, girls are determined
that their daughters will not be married off at a young age.
To read the article click here
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