Build Her Future, Brick by Brick

An armed burglary during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a tragic loss for 14-year-old Tania (name changed) and her family as they lost their mother in the confrontation with the robbers. Belonging to a Scheduled Caste community in rural Uttar Pradesh, Tania’s family had to deal with the subsequent job loss of their father, the sole breadwinner, which added to their growing concerns during a nationwide lockdown. 

When the team at Milaan Foundation reached out to Tania, she was keen to pursue her education to build a better future. After joining Swarachna Girls’ Hostel, Tania, now a student in grade 9, is more determined than ever to fulfil her aspirations. She enjoys studying Hindi literature and has a keen interest in poetry. She also actively participates in sports events and enjoys playing kho-kho.

Millions of girls like Tania face adversity and challenges in their daily lives. The pandemic has pushed over 10 million adolescent girls into vulnerability with a higher risk of not returning to school, facing child marriage, child labour, violence and exploitation. Milaan’s Swarachna Hostel provides a safe haven to girls, providing quality education, health, confidence and opportunities to create a better life for themselves and their families.

Providing a safe haven to vulnerable girls through Swarachna Girls’ Hostel 

Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of out-of-school adolescent girls in India. COVID-19 pushed these underserved girls into further vulnerabilities. The trail of destruction left by the pandemic in its wake is expected to last a few years, if not decades. Established in 2021 to provide such girls with access to free boarding and lodging and an enabling social environment, Milaan’s Swarachna Girls’ Hostel started off with classrooms turned into makeshift dormitories.

The free-of-cost hostel provides a nurturing community for their well-being and development with access to:

• A safe residential facility
• Quality secondary education
• Healthcare 
• Nutritious meals 
• Vocational training
• Soft skills training
• Sports programs

As we expand to accommodate more vulnerable girls like Tania, we need more dormitories. Every contribution, small or big, will help build the infrastructure needed to house the girls.

Milaan envisions an equal and inclusive world where every girl is educated, healthy and safe. An amount as low as INR 1,250 will help in the support of the proposed dormitory extensions, expected to accommodate 30 girls each. Milaan's total requirement is for 4 dormitories, of 2,000 sq feet each and we would like to start construction of at least 2 dormitories by March 2023.

Our girls need a second chance at life and at Milaan, we are committed and need your support to give them that! Your contribution will help build her future - one square foot at a time!

Milaan would be happy to acknowledge the contribution of the donor by naming rights for those who would generously donate 1,000 square feet or more. 

Donate now, for tomorrow may just be too late.