The Times of India recently published the article titled "No Toilet, No Bride" . According to the article, women in Haryana are now requiring a toilet in the home of any potential mate. As the slogan implies, if there's no toilet, there's no marriage.

While the slogan is really funny and catchy (when isn't an article about a toilet funny??), it brings to light a very real issue -- hygiene and sanitation.

Can you imagine not having a toilet? I can't. Frankly, I struggle during the longer road trip, so the thought of no toilet ever is pretty terrible. Sadly, women tend to have it even worse than men, for social constraints require them to wait until it's dark to go to the bathroom. So now, not only do they have to use the field down the road as their bathroom, but they have to worry about wandering around at odd hours of the night.

That's why it's great that these women are pushing back. Instead of accepting it, they are requiring their potential suitors to install a toilet before they'll get married.

As some of our followers may recall, Pardada Pardadi is also trying to increase the number of toilets in the villages. Over the past year, we've managed to get funding for over 50 toilets in students' houses. Our hope is to put a toilet in every student's house, allowing them better hygiene and the freedom to go when they want to.

Dear Friends,

The parents who agreed to send their daughters to the school are true change-makers and a ray of hope for the future. PPES believes that one day villages like Amarpur will be more concerned about their development, quality of education, and quality of human life than about the caste of their daughters' classmates. However, this can only happen with consistent interventions from all of us to work for the development of underdeveloped.

Activities at the School

On an exposure trip thirty students and five teachers visited the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The students learned about power generation. It was a good learning experience and picnic for everyone. We are very thankful to NTPC for providing this wonderful opportunity.

On 25^th July a cultural program was held at the school. Parents of new students were invited to join the student audience for this program. Through this program, we welcomed new parents and students to PPES family. At the same time, the program was an opportunity for the students to show off their talents and for PPES to tell parents more about the school's vision.

Ms. Suman Tomar student of class XI was selected to visit the US for five weeks. Members of the Bitiya Organsiation (Ms.Vinita Garg, Ms. Sandhya) were kind enough to host her for two weeks, followed by Mrs. & Mr. Javid Sonde. Suman was able to visit many places in Washington D.C. and New York. PPES expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all the hosts for hosting Suman and providing her with such a fulfilling experience.

I also had a fruitful visit to the Unitied States. In Chicago I attended a fundraising party organized by Mr. Kush Agarwal. It was really nice to interact with such a diverse group of people. On behalf of PPES I would like to thank him for all his support and guidance.

Ms. Teresa Kozakova visited Pardada Pardadi School. She has agreed to help us in recruitment of volunteers.

With Kind Regards,
Sam

The money we raise will:

• Buy a machine that makes sanitary napkins
• Buy a year's worth of raw materials
• Support two graduates' efforts to make the business profitable

In total, we hope to raise $5,000 seed money for the project.