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JAINA Committee Spotlight:
JAINA Upliftment Program
Jain
Uplift a Jain child or family from poverty by education
According to recent statistics, approximately 17% Jain families are at or below the poverty level (earning Rs. 5,000 per month). For the underprivileged children and families in India, education is perceived as a high-priced luxury and they continue to live in despair and a state of hopelessness. JAINA's mission is to uplift these underprivileged ones and extend our services to help them to a sustainable livelihood. Under this program the selected individuals in India will receive quality education for their children, higher or vocational training for young adults, and skill enhancement vocational training for heads of households to increase their earning potential. The intent is that it will result in a sustainable livelihood to liberate them from poverty.
WY
The family's designation as needy (Rs. 5,000 per month or less in rural or Rs. 8,000 per month or less in urban area) will be verified by JAINA and its partner organizations using pre-established selection criteria. The adequacy and duration of the assistance will be certified and re-certified by partner organizations. The financial assistance will be paid directly to schools or vocational training centers. The other incidental expenses related to education will be paid to the family on as-need basis as recommended by the partner organization.
SER Purpose of assistance:
• To meet immediate needs (tuition fees, books, stationery, transportation, etc.)
to provide education for their children. • Provide skill enhancement training to heads
of household leading to higher paying jobs. • To encourage each assisted family to become
self-reliant and productive within the context of their local economy. • Assist families in financing entrepreneurial initiatives such as small retail stores called petty shops, garment stitching, bicycle repair, teashops, appliance repair, TV & cell phone repair, etc.
Selecting the child or family: The child or family will be chosen in a participatory manner by the local organizations based on priority of need in compliance with JAINA's selection criteria. The names of the selected children and families
will then be sent to the JAINA's Upliftment Committee for review and finalization.
The committee reviews the entire family's resources and financial capabilities prior to approving submitted profiles. These profiles are recorded and then linked with a donor family, individual, group, etc. for further mentorship and ongoing assistance.
Accomplishment highlights (2014-2016): • 200+ students of all ages were funded education and/or skill enhancement
vocational training leading to higher paying jobs in different states in India. • JAINA's pilot project - Jain school in Delhi with over 1,000 children from poor
families receiving quality education. • Gujarat & Rajasthan Sakhi Udhyogni project (learning to develop skills, crafts,
toys, & stitching of garments).
