Based in Anupshahar, Uttar Pradesh, PPES strives to improve the lives of girls in this deprived region of India where only 43% of women are literate. The organization's mission is to uplift and empower girls from the poorest section of society by providing them with a free education and vocational training, thus allowing the girls to become self-reliant and educated individuals.

The school serves area villages, admitting girls who come from extremely poor families – generally those who earn less than 600 rupees per household per month (approx. US $14.90). In the mornings the girls attend academic classes in subjects including History, Mathematics, English, Music and Computing - the school curriculum follows that set by the U.P. Board. Their afternoons are spent in vocational classes where they are trained in highly marketable textile arts like hand embroidery or stitching. Their value-based education also includes lessons on leadership and personality development, health and hygiene, legal awareness, and ethics.

In their vocational classes, the girls produce fine hand embroidered linen appliqué work and block printing as well as table cloths, luncheon sets, bed covers and sheets, curtains, and cushion covers. The sale of these products funds the running of the school and provides the girls with such benefits are free uniforms, textbooks, bicycles and meals.

I hope you enjoyed this very brief introduction to the organization and its mission. Stay tuned for future updates! We will be adding more information about the school as well as PPES’ initiatives, volunteer projects, student profiles, and, most importantly, how you can get involved in furthering the school’s mission.

In the meantime, please take a look at the school website or peruse the linked news articles and blog entries about the school. If you have any questions please contact Renuka Gupta at renukamanav@yahoo.com; inquiries about orders and product information should be directed to Surekha Kashyap at surekhakashyap05@yahoo.com.