Money transfer agency MoneyGram has given $100,000 (Rs 52 lakh) to Holt International Children’s Services to support girls in India who are at risk of dropping out of school.
Holt, an international child welfare organisation, sponsors the education of many children in India and other countries. The MoneyGram gift will help subsidise Holt’s programme with the Vathsalya Charitable Trust into mid-2015 and provide school uniforms, books and supplies for 300 girls at six schools.
The schools that will get the aid are Colonel Hill High School in Bangalore, Concerns Universe Foundation in Bangalore, Koppal High School in Koppal, Muranpur School in Raichur, Raichur High School in Raichur and St. Charles Kannada High School in Bangalore.
“We know young female students are not attending school often because tuition, books, and uniforms are not affordable. MoneyGram will support the education of these young ladies to help ensure they have the resources they need to stay in school and complete their education,'' said Harsh Lambah, Senior Regional Director of MoneyGram.
The aim to support girls education is borne by the belief that education is the root to better economic opportunities, healthier families and individual freedom and empowerment.
For the next three years, the Vathsalya Charitable Trust staff will work with each student in the programme to ensure she completes the tenth standard, monitor progress and attendance, and meet quarterly with parents, teachers and the students.
MoneyGram has a long history of giving to worthy causes. Since 2006, MoneyGram has donated approximately Rs 2.6 crore ($500,000) annually through its Global Giving programme. The company’s philanthropic efforts have now evolved into establishing the MoneyGram Foundation.
The Foundation is passionate about inspiring young minds at an early age. The Foundation aims to fund programmes that provide educational resources and basic school supplies to millions of school-age children around the world.