Project	Why	is	a	Non-Governmental	Organisation	based	in	Delhi	reaching	out	to	over	1000	children	and	
130	women	to	give	them	a	better	chance	and	strive	for	a	better	future.	It	offers	after-school	support	in	
the	 form	 of	 shadow	 schooling,	 after-school	 activities	 and	 a	 space	 for	 joy	 and	 fun.	 It	 also	 provides	
vocational	 training	 for	 women,	 day-care	 for	 children	 and	 adults	 with	 special	 needs,	 as	 well	 as	 early	
intervention	for	children	under	six.

Donor Impact Report
2015-2016
PROJECT WHY
Sri Ram Goburdhun Charitable Trust
FROM THE
COMMUNITY FOR
THE COMMUNITY
2
DEDICATED WITH
A LARGE HEART
3
EASY ACCESS
1
VERY LOW
OVERHEAD
COSTS
7
VERY SMALL
COST PER
STUDENT
6
NETWORK OF
INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEERS
4
FLEXIBLE TO
SPECIFIC NEEDS
5
A HOME AWAY
FROM HOME
8
Anou’s message
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the
eye”.
Antoine de St Exupery, The Little Prince
The	past	year	once	again	proved	how	strong	and	committed	our	network	of	donors	and	well	wishers	is!	
2015-2016	was	once	again	a	picture	perfect	front	stage.	Your	unstinted	support	allowed	us	to	make	a	
difference	in	the	lives	of	many	children	and	women	in	all	our	centres	as	well	as	extend	our	family.	We	now	
reach	 out	 to	 over	 80	 forgotten	 and	 out-of-school	 children	 of	 agricultural	 labour	 on	 the	 banks	 of	 the	
Yamuna.	This	has	been	a	truly	precious	moment	in	the	Project	Why	journey.	Okhla	now	has	a	roof	and	a	
kind	donor	again	made	this	possible.	This	has	allowed	us	to	get	more	space,	and	extend	our	computer	
centre,	the	only	one	in	the	area!		
Back	stage	things	were	slightly	different	and	once	again	it	is	all	of	you	that	helped	us	remain	on	course!	
In	 October	 2015	 the	 Oinancial	 situation	 hit	 rock	 bottom	 due	 to	 unforeseen	 circumstances.	 I	 am	
overwhelmed	by	the	immediate	response	from	friends	who	did	not	hesitate	to	dip	in	their	pockets	to	
make	sure	we	kept	aOloat.	This	crisis	situation	made	us	aware	of	the	fragility	of	our	funding	strategies	and	
we	realised	it	was	time	to	reinvent	ourselves.	Many	supporters	offered	their	assistance	and	we	are	now	in	
the	process	of	restructuring	our	internal	systems	and	extending	our	funding	networks.	The	work	is	in	full	
swing	and	we	will	see	Project	Why	charting	a	new	course	in	the	near	future.	
My	deepest	gratitude	to	all	that	made	this	possible:	the	Project	Why	team	that	always	takes	on	every	
challenge	and	our	donors	whose	trust	in	our	work	is	unwavering.	
To	each	and	everyone	a	big	thank	you!

Opening of the Yamuna centre April
2015
We	 came	 to	 know	 about	 the	 plight	 of	 the	
agricultural	 labour	 children	 on	 the	 banks	 of	 the	
Yamuna	in	late	March	2015.	In	April	2015	we	had	
opened	a	day	school	for	these	forgotten	children	
who	had	never	been	to	school.	
The	 centre	 was	 set	 up	 with	 the	 help	 of	 many	
friends:	 the	 Japanese	 volunteer	 group	 who	
donated	money	to	build	a	roof	and	also	donated	
uniforms,	sweaters	and	school	bags	and	supplies	
and	 a	 wonderful	 group	 of	 virtual	 friends	 who	
donated	funds	for	the	toilet.	Not	to	forget	all	those	
who	heard	the	call	and	are	donating	for	the	day-
to-day	 running.	 Azure	 Hospitality	 graciously	
provides	these	children	a	hot	lunch	6	days	a	week.	
In	 a	 short	 year	 the	 Yamuna	 centre	 is	 a	 vibrant	
child	friendly	space	and	these	forgotten	children	
are	making	up	for	lost	time.	
A makeover for Okhla July 2015
Okhla	is	a	centre	very	close	to	our	heart.	More	so	
because	 this	 is	 a	 location	 where	 children	 are	 in	
danger	 of	 being	 exploited	 by	 drug	 and	 other	
maOias	and	our	intervention	has	deOinitely	saved	
many	children.	The	demand	grows	bigger	and	the	
space	smaller	so	we	were	thrilled	when	generous	
donors	agreed	to	fund	an	expansion.	The	tin	roof	
was	replaced	by	a	concrete	one	thus	opening	up	
the	roof	space	for	classes.	The	secondary	section	
moved	on	the	roof	and	the	computer	centre	was	
extended	allowing	more	children	and	residents	to	
discover	 computers	 and	 also	 allowing	 more	
children	to	join	the	centre.

The only computer centre around
The	 Project	 Why	 Okhla	 centre	 has	 a	 brand	 new	 computer	
room.	It	opened	its	doors	in	July	2015	after	Kabir		Suri	helped	
us	build	the	solid	roof	thus	giving	us	the	required	space.	The	
computer	 centre	 began	 in	 2009	 on	 popular	 demand	 of	 the	
children	with	ONE	laptop.	Today,	thanks	to	generous	donors	
we	 have	 six	 computers	 and	 it	 is	 the	 only	 centre	 in	 the	
industrial	area.	Learning	how	to	handle	a	computer	is	crucial	
to	 success	 in	 today’s	 world	 and	 we	 want	 every	 child	 to	 get	
this	 knowledge.	 Hence	 we	 teach	 basic	 computer	 skills	 to	
make	them	proOicient	in	different	IT	areas.	But	that	is	not	all,	
computer	based	learning	is	a	huge	asset	to	all	our	children	as	
it	allows	them	to	widen	their	knowledge.	It	is	also	a	great	tool	
for	English	teaching.	We	also	want	to	teach	Internet	usage	and	show	the	children	that	over	and	above	
social	media,	the	Internet	is	a	mine	of	knowledge	at	their	disposal	to	be	used	abundantly.
Highlights 2015- 2016
Programme Highlights
Shadow Education
Shadow	education	is	the	term	used	to	deOine	all	
private	 tutoring	 that	 children	 have	 to	 follow	 to	
succeed	in	school.		It	comes	at	a	price	that	parents	
from	 poorer	 homes	 cannot	 afford	 and	 leads	 to	
children	dropping	out.	Project	Why	offers	it	at	no	
cost.	Project	Why’s	version	of	shadow	education	
extends	beyond	curriculum	support	and	provides	
all-round	education	and	an	enabling	environment	
for	children	to	thrive.	
	
Primary Outreach
Project	 Why	 runs	 its	 primary	 education	 support	
centres	in	four	locations:	Govindpuri,	Okhla,	Giri	
Nagar	and	Khader	reaching	out	to	a	total	of	441	
children.	Once	again	this	programme	has	allowed	
us	 to	 help	 children	 keep	 abreast	 with	 their	
studies	 and	 perform	 well.	 Many	 of	 our	 children	
have	topped	their	classes	and	beneOitted	from	the	
programme.	But	that	is	not	all.	Project	Why	is	not	
simply	a	tuition	class.	Many	children	are	able	to	
Oind	 the	 space	 they	 need	 and	 the	 enabling	
environment	they	cannot	get	at	home.	 	Over	and	
above	 school	 curriculum	 they	 can	 unleash	 their	
creativity	 and	 also	 have	 the	 fun	 they	 often	 miss	
out.	


	
Primary	section	in	the	Madanpur	Khader	centre
My	 name	 is	 Pancham.	 I	 am	 10	 year	 old.	 The	
situation	 at	 home	 is	 not	 easy.	 I	 have	 a	 single	
mom	who	takes	care	of	us.	The	problem	is	that	
she	drinks	and	often	does	not	go	to	work.	I	often	
have	to	do	her	work	so	that	we	can	eat.	I	try	and	
study	but	it	is	not	easy	as	no	one	at	home	helps	
me	 or	 motivates	 me	 to.	 But	 the	 teachers	 are	
there	 for	 me	 and	 if	 I	 miss	 school	 they	 come	 to	
@ind	out	why	and	persuade	me	to	come	back.	The	
area	we	live	in	is	not	nice	for	children.	There	are	
bad	 people	 who	 try	 and	 make	 us	 do	 wrong	
things.	I	too	have	sniffed	glue.	I	know	it	is	bad.	
My	teachers	are	trying	to	keep	me	safe.	I	want	to	
study	and	move	to	a	nice	area.
Pancham	in	the	Okhla	centre
Secondary Outreach
Project	 Why	 runs	 secondary	 outreach	
programmes	at	Govindpuri,	Okhla,	Giri	Nagar	and	
Khader.	 There	 are	 442	 secondary	 students.	 Our	
intervention	is	crucial,	as	it	is	nearly	impossible	to	
succeed	in	examinations	without	outside	tuition.	
This	is	due	to	the	fact	that	the	state-run	schools	
are	overcrowded	and	fail	to	teach	the	curriculum.	
Tuition	 is	 not	 cheap	 and	 can	 cost	 500	 rupees	 a	
month	 per	 subject	 if	 not	 more.	 Many	 parents	
cannot	afford	it.	Those	who	do,	often	send	their	
sons	 instead	 of	 their	 daughters	 due	 to	 existing	
gender-discrimination.	Project	Why	offers	quality	
support	 at	 no	 cost	 and	 enables	 students	 to	
complete	 their	 education	 with	 good	 marks	 thus	
allowing	 them	 to	 accede	 to	 higher	 education.	
Most	 of	 our	 students	 have	 continued	 their	
education	opting	for	a	variety	of	subjects.	
Project	 Why	 offers	 its	 students	 the	 support	 and	
encouragement	 they	 need	 and	 that	 is	 where	 it	
makes	a	real	difference.	
Early Education
The	 Project	 Why	 crèche	 is	 more	 than	 a	 decade	
old.	 The	 plight	 of	 toddlers	 in	 slums	 is	 heart	
wrenching.	 These	 children	 are	 often	 left	 to	 run	
around	 unattended	 in	 unsafe	 surroundings,	 as	
their	parents	are	too	busy	to	foster	them.		When	it	
is	time	to	go	to	school,	they	are	not	enrolled	and	
thus	remain	out	of	the	education	net.	Our	crèche	
addresses	 this	 situation	 by	 reaching	 out	 to	 the	
most	vulnerable	children	and	ensuring	that	they	
are	 safe	 and	 ready	 for	 admission	 to	 mainstream	
school.	Currently	there	are	27	children	enrolled	in	
our	early	education	programme.	
Crèche	in	Govindpuri
My	Name	is	Sabrun.	I	am	in	class	XI.	I	have	two	
sisters	Rukshar	(Class	X)	and	Nazia	(Class	VII).	We	
belong	 to	 Uttar	 Pradesh.	 Both	 my	 parents	 work.														
In	2010	my	father	lost	his	job	after	a	road	accident.	
My	mother	lost	her	job	too	because	of	her	health.	It	
was	 a	 terrible	 situation	 and	 my	 parents	 were	
thinking	of	going	back	to	our	village.																																																											
I	did	not	want	to,	as	I	knew	that	would	mean	giving	
up	 my	 studies.	 I	 shared	 this	 with	 my	 teacher	 at	
Project	Why	where	I	had	been	studying	for	the	past	
seven	 years.	 Project	 Why	 helped	 my	 father	 get	
admitted	in	hospital.	My	mother	stayed	with	him	to	
take	 care	 of	 him	 so	 we	 girls	 were	 alone.	 Project	
Why	looked	after	us	and	gave	us	lunch	every	day	
and	made	sure	we	were	safe.															
Project	 Why	 also	 helped	 my	 parents	 get	
employment	and	paid	for	our	fees	and	other	needs	
until	my	parents	were	on	their	feet	again.	We	girls	
continued	to	go	to	school	uninterrupted!
	My	name	is	Nitish	and	I	am	six	year	old.	I	live	in	
Okhla	Phase	1.	My	father	drinks	the	whole	day	and	
never	works.	My	mother	is	a	midwife	and	masseuse	
and	works	all	day.	No	one	looked	after	me	so	I	used	
to	 spend	 most	 of	 the	 time	 on	 the	 road	 and	 the	
garbage	 dump	 was	 my	 favourite	 playground	 as	 I	
use	to	@ind	many	things	to	play	with.	One	day	some	
ladies	were	passing	by	and	they	saw	me	and	asked	
to	meet	my	parents.	They	were	from	Project	Why.	
They	 convinced	 my	 parents	 to	 get	 me	 admitted.	
Every	 day	 a	 three-wheeler	 came	 near	 my	 house	
and	took	me	to	my	class.	I	loved	it	there,	as	there	
were	 toys	 and	 other	 children	 to	 play	 with.	 I	 even	
got	 a	 hot	 lunch.	 I	 spent	 three	 happy	 years	 there	
and	this	year	got	admitted	to	the	big	school	in	class	
I.	If	Project	Why	had	not	found	me	I	guess	I	would	
still	roam	the	streets.
The very special section
Project	 Why’s	 special	 section	 has	 been	 home	 to	
many	children	and	young	and	not	so	young	adults	
for	more	than	a	decade.	Some	students	have	been	
with	us	since	the	very	beginning.	Others	have	left	
for	 a	 variety	 of	 reasons.	 Some	 were	
mainstreamed;	 others	 went	 to	 specialised	
schools;	 some	 moved	 out	 and	 some	 were	 taken	
out	 by	 their	 parents	 often	 to	 be	 sent	 to	 their	
villages.	
At	 any	 given	 time	 there	 are	 around	 15	 children	
and	adults	with	special	needs	in	our	centre.	The	
need	 for	 this	 section	 goes	 without	 saying.	
Individuals	with	special	needs	have	a	rough	time	
and	 are	 often	 misunderstood,	 ignored	 and	 even	
abused.	 This	 worsens	 with	 age.	 At	 the	 Project	
Why	special	section	they	Oind	a	place	where	they	
are	 loved	 and	 cared	 for	 and	 where	 they	 are	
treated	as	equals	and	valorised.	


	
The	special	section	in	Govindpuri
My	name	is	Shalini.	I	am	39	years	old.	I	have	been	
coming	to	Project	Why	for	the	past	14	years.	I	have	
Down	syndrome.	This	makes	me	different.	I	know	I	
have	challenging	behaviour	but	I	cannot	help	it.	My	
mother	 and	 father	 try	 to	 bear	 with	 this	 but	
sometimes	 it	 makes	 them	 angry.	 I	 think	 it	 is	
because	 of	 what	 people	 say.	 At	 Project	 Why	
everyone	understands	my	behaviour	and	accepts	it.	
I	 love	 Project	 Why	 because	 I	 know	 that	 I	 am	
accepted	and	loved	as	I	am.	I	love	dancing	and	we	
dance	a	lot	in	our	class.	When	visitors	come	I	often	
perform	 and	 everyone	 loves	 the	 way	 I	 dance.	 It	
makes	me	feel	happy.		
But	Mom	is	very	sick	and	Papa	is	alone	at	home.	So	
I	 have	 not	 been	 going	 to	 class,	 as	 I	 have	 to	 look	
after	mama	and	the	house	and	also	the	baby	of	my	
brother.	My	sister	in	law	has	gone	back	to	work.	My	
nephew	is	just	2	months	old.	I	try	to	do	my	best	but	
sometimes	it	is	dif@icult.	I	do	not	show	my	feelings	
but	 sometimes	 I	 am	 scared.	 What	 will	 happen	 if	
mama	goes	away?	
I	want	to	go	back	to	the	Project,	as	it	is	the	only	
place	I	feel	safe	and	loved	without	condition.
Non-Formal Education at the
Yamuna Centre
Though	 our	 main	 thrust	 is	 formal	 education	 it	
was	necessary	to	adopt	another	strategy	with	the	
children	 of	 the	 Yamuna	 centre.	 Once	 again	 this	
was	 made	 possible	 thanks	 to	 the	 trust	 and	
support	 of	 our	 donors.	 The	 Yamuna	 centre	
children	 have	 never	 been	 to	 school.	 These	 are	
children	of	labourers	who	work	on	the	vegetable	
Oields	 along	 the	 river.	 There	 is	 no	 school	 in	 the	
near	vicinity	and	above	all	most	of	these	children	
do	not	appear	on	any	census.	Such	children	help	
their	 families	 in	 the	 Oields.	 Yet	 they	 are	 children	
and	 have	 the	 same	 rights	 and	 dreams	 as	 all	
children.	For	them	we	set	up	a	day	school	with	a	
range	 of	 activities.	 A	 hot	 lunch	 is	 provided	 to	
them	 thanks	 to	 a	 kind	 donor.	 They	 have	 books,	
and	 bags	 and	 even	 uniforms	 in	 order	 to	 make	
them	 feel	 like	 any	 other	 school	 going	 child.	 The	
children	 are	 eager	 to	 learn	 and	 are	 making	
astounding	 progress.	 We	 envisage	 Oinding	 a	 way	
to	mainstream	them	into	a	governmental	school.		
Their	burning	desire	to	learn	so	amply	displayed	
by	 little	 Priya	 whose	 refusal	 to	 accept	 that	 she	
was	too	young	made	us	realise	that	we	had	taken	
the	right	decision.	
Cyber Why
Project	 Why	 named	 its	 computer	 learning	
programme	 Cyber	 Why.	 The	 main	 thrust	 is	 to	
familiarise	the	children	with	computers,	as	it	is	an	
essential	 tool	 to	 accede	 to	 good	 employment.	 At	
this	point	in	time	we	have	two	computer	centres	
located	in	Okhla	and	Khader.		
The	 newly	 opened	 Okhla	 computer	 centre	 is	
described	in	our	highlights	section	of	this	year.		
Our	 Khader	 computer	 programme	 is	 also	 in	
demand	 by	 the	 children	 and	 also	 by	 the	 ladies!	
Thanks	 to	 generous	 donors	 we	 now	 have	 seven	
fully	 functional	 computers	 on	 avail.	 Old	
computers	make	sound	learning	material	for	the	
hardware	 and	 maintenance	 classes	 we	 also	 run.	
Many	our	alumni	have	found	good	jobs	thanks	to	
their	proOiciency	in	computers.	
Extra curricular activities
Project	 Why	 is	 a	 Oirm	 believer	 in	 all	 rounded	
education	that	goes	beyond	school	curriculum.	It	
endeavours	 to	 give	 to	 its	 children	 the	 means	 to	
explore	 their	 creativity	 and	 explore	 the	 world	
beyond	the	conOines	of	their	existence	and	learn	
to	 be	 conOident	 and	 responsible.	 In	 house	
workshops	 on	 environmental	 issues,	 hygiene,	
gender	issues,	civic	duties	etc.	are	held	regularly.	
We	 also	 invite	 guests	 to	 conduct	 workshops.	 In	
2015	 the	 Modi	 Care	 Foundation	 ran	 a	 two-day	
workshop	 on	 adolescent	 issues	 at	 Okhla	 and	
Khader.	Damyanti	Gosh,	a	writer	from	Singapore	
held	 a	 spoken	 English	 and	 public	 speaking	 class	
for	 teachers	 and	 students.	 Eva	 and	 Carla	 taught	
spoken	 English	 to	 the	 Okhla	 children	 and	
students	 throughout	 the	 year.	 Children	 are	 also	
taken	 on	 outings	 made	 possible	 by	 donors	 and	
volunteers.	
Further	we	encourage	our	students	to	engage	in	
various	activities	outside	of	the	regular	school	
activities.	Our	students	have,	very	successfully,	
taken	part	in	drawing,	dancing,	theatre	and	
singing	competitions	and	regularly	achieve	top	
places	in	maths,	science	or	language	contests.

Children	of	the	Yamuna	centre
Vocational training for women
It	may	seem	surprising	to	include	women	related	
activities	in	an	organisation	primarily	engaged	in	
children’s	education.	Not	quite.	We	realised	very	
early	in	our	journey	that	it	was	the	women	who	
were	important	agents	of	social	transformation	if	
they	 were	 truly	 empowered.	 Empowerment	 is	
much	 increased	 with	 the	 women	 becoming	
Oinancials	partners	in	the	household	and	that	was	
only	possible	if	they	were	taught	vocational	skills.		
Today	 129	 women	 are	 learning	 to	 be	
seamstresses	 or	 beauticians	 in	 the	 women’s	
centre	 in	 Madanpur	 Khader.	 Every	 six	 month	 a	
new	batch	replaces	the	earlier	one.	All	in	all	over	
the	 past	 ten	 years	 1210	 women	 have	 graduated	
from	 our	 centre,	 obtaining	 a	 vocational	 skills	
certiOicate.	
The	majority	have	been	gainfully	employed,	some	
getting	outside	jobs	while	others	opting	to	work	
from	 home.	 Becoming	 Oinancial	 partners	 has	
given	them	a	stronger	voice	in	their	homes.	
Boarding School
This	 programme	 is	 very	 dear	 to	 Project	 Why’s	
founder	 as	 it	 validates	 her	 strong	 belief	 that	
children	from	all	walks	of	life	should	study	under	
one	 roof	 and	 schools	 should	 be	 a	 level	 playing	
Oield.	It	is	also	her	unwavering	belief	that	if	given	
a	chance,	children	from	weaker	sections	of	society	
can	and	will	excel.		
All	 seven	 children	 presently	 in	 this	 programme	
have	tragic	backgrounds	and	would	have	dropped	
out	of	school	or	never	gone	to	school.	Most	have	
dysfunctional	 families.	 Two	 are	 burn	 survivors	
and	 one	 had	 open-heart	 surgery	 (sponsored	 by	
Project	 Why	 donors).	 The	 children	 are	 doing	
extremely	well	and	often	top	their	classes.	
		
Sewing	classes	in	the	Madanpur	Khader	centre
Our	boarding	school	children
Our Project Why Team
Project	 Why	 is	 strongly	 community-based.	 Its	
policy	 is	 to	 nurture	 and	 employ	 the	 skills	
available	within	the	neighbourhoods.	The	result	is	
48	 new	 jobs,	 and	 for	 80%	 of	 the	 staff	 this	
employment	is	the	sole	source	of	income	for	the	
family.	 Over	 98%	 of	 the	 team	 comprises	 of	
members	of	the	local	community,	thus	generating	
much	needed	employment	opportunities.	Five	of	
Project	 Why’s	 ex-students	 are	 now	 employed	 as	
teachers.	 Because	 Project	 Why	 is	 not	 only	 a	
school-educational	 programme,	 the	 whole	
organisation	is	based	on	commitment	to	equality.	
This	 has	 meant	 that	 communities,	 who	 would	
previously	barely	interact,	learnt	to	discover	each	
other,	respect	one	another	and	work	together	to	
Oind	solutions	to	their	problems.	
Possibly	 the	 best	 idea	 to	 introduce	 our	 team	 is	
through	personal	stories	of	our	staff:	
My	 Name	 is	 Rani.	 I	 am	 32	 years	 old.	 My	 journey	
with	 Project	 Why	 began	 16	 years	 ago.	 I	 was	
sixteen,	 had	 dropped	 out	 of	 school	 because	 my	
family	 could	 not	 pay	 my	 fees	 and	 I	 was	 beaten	
when	I	asked	for	a	few	more	days.	My	mother	being	
illiterate	and	not	understanding	the	importance	of	
education	 took	 me	 out	 of	 school.	 I	 was	 sent	 to	 a	
charitable	 organisation	 to	 do	 a	 nursing	 aide’s	
course.	 That	 is	 when	 Anou	 Ma’am	 came	 to	 my	
home	to	meet	my	mother,	a	healer	and	seeing	the	
plight	of	children	decided	to	start	what	we	all	call	
Project	Why.	The	@irst	thing	was	a	spoken	English	
class	and	I	was	the	@irst	to	enrol.	Some	time	later	
she	 asked	 me	 to	 run	 a	 small	 @ist	 aid	 post	 for	 the	
community	and	I	jumped	at	the	offer.	I	knew	that	
this	was	the	way	for	me	to	change	my	life.	I	spent	
most	 of	 my	 time	 at	 Project	 Why	 imbibing	
everything	and	helping	each	time	asked.	When	the	
former	coordinator	left	unexpectedly	Anou	Ma’am	
needed	 someone	 to	 take	 the	 place	 and	 she	 asked	
me	to	do	so.	I	was	happy	to	get	this	opportunity	but	
was	also	scared	that	I	would	not	be	able	to	walk	in	
the	shoes	of	my	predecessor.			
It	was	not	easy.	I	had	to	command	the	respect	of	
people	 from	 within	 my	 community,	 many	 who	
knew	me	since	I	was	still	young	but	I	took	on	the	
challenge	 and	 decided	 to	 win	 them	 over.	 As	 time	
passed,	I	understood	what	was	expected	of	me	and	
became	 more	 con@ident	 in	 my	 role.	 Project	 Why	
made	me	understand	the	importance	of	education	
in	the	process	of	social	mobility	and	so	I	decided	to	
continue	my	own	education.	Without	taking	a	day	
off	 I	 passed	 my	 X	 and	 XII	 Boards	 and	 obtained	 a	
University	degree	through	distance	learning.		
Project	Why	allowed	me	to	change	not	only	my	life,	
but	that	of	my	family	who	allowed	me	to	follow	my	
dreams.	
This	 change	 allowed	 me	 to	 be	 part	 of	 a	 journey	
that	 aspires	 to	 change	 the	 life	 of	 more	 than	 a	
thousand	children	and	their	families	today.	
Social	 mobility	 is	 possible;	 all	 you	 need	 is	
EDUCATION!


My	 Name	 is	 Rahul.	 I	 am	 21	 year	 old.	 In	 2002,	
when	I	was	just	@ive	I	used	to	attend	Project	Why	
classes	 but	 stopped	 going	 as	 I	 guess	 I	 did	 not	
understand	 the	 importance	 and	 going	 to	 school	
twice	a	day	was	very	long.	Much	later,	when	I	was	
in	class	XI	I	joined	again	and	stayed	until	the	end	
of	my	school.	Naresh	Sir	taught	me	maths	in	the	
Giri	 Nagar	 centre	 and	 built	 my	 con@idence	 so	 I	
passed	my	school-leaving	certi@icate	with	ease.	
With	 my	 grades	 I	 hoped	 to	 get	 admitted	 to	 a	
regular	college	but	my	family	could	not	afford	the	
fees.	Financial	problems	stood	in	the	way	of	my	
dreams.	We	are	six	in	the	family	and	live	in	such	a	
tiny	room	that	I	often	wonder	how	we	manage.	I	
have	two	sisters	and	a	brother,	who	also	received	
help	 from	 Project	 Why.	 My	 father	 is	 very	 hard	
working	but	is	a	seasonal	worker	selling	peanuts	
in	winter	and	ice	candy	in	summer.	That	does	not	
take	 you	 very	 far.	 We	 barely	 manage	 to	 make	
ends	meet	so	even	after	20	years	have	not	saved	
anything.	
The	options	were	few.	I	shared	my	problem	with	
Project	 Why	 and	 in	 February	 2016	 they	 offered	
me	to	teach	primary	classes	at	the	Okhla	centre.	I	
have	 enrolled	 for	 a	 Bachelor’s	 degree	 through	
distance	learning	and	can	pay	the	extra	tuition	I	
need	 as	 well	 as	 help	 my	 family.	 I	 want	 to	 work	
hard	to	change	my	life	but	also	help	my	siblings	
pursue	their	dreams.	
Project	Why	has	enabled	we	to	take	the	@irst	step	
in	that	direction.
My	name	is	Dharmendra	Beniwal.	I	am	39	years	
old.	I	am	the	coordinator	of	Project	Why’s	women	
and	 children	 centre	 at	 Khader	 and	 the	 newly	
opened	 Yamuna	 centre.	 I	 @irst	 came	 to	 Project	
Why	in	2005.	I	wonder	what	made	me	trade	the	
comfort	 of	 a	 multinational	 company	 with	 a	
secure	 job	 for	 the	 chaotic	 lanes	 Delhi	 slums	 but	
when	 a	 relative	 told	 me	 about	 a	 newly	 opened	
‘NGO’	in	his	neighbourhood,	 I	felt	 an	irresistible	
pull.	 I	 joined	 as	 a	 humanities	 teacher	 for	 the	
secondary	 section.	 I	 liked	 teaching	 but	 I	 found	
myself	 spending	 more	 and	 more	 time	 with	 the	
community	sharing	their	problems	and	thoughts.	
I	 also	 spent	 more	 time	 with	 Anou	 Ma’am	
discussing	 matters	 that	 often	 went	 beyond	
education.	She	would	tell	me	later	that	she	felt	we	
were	kindred	spirits.	We	both	wanted	to	change	
the	communities.	
In	 2007	 I	 got	 my	 big	 opportunity	 when	 Project	
Why	 decided	 to	 open	 its	 women	 centre.	 Anou	
Ma’am	asked	me	to	take	charge	and	there	was	no	
coming	back.	
In	the	last	decade	I	have	handled	many	problems	
big	 and	 small	 from	 neighbourhood	 water	 @ights	
to	the	rants	and	raves	of	a	bipolar	soul.	What	I	
think	made	me	successfully	solve	problems	in	all	
these	years	is	the	fact	that	I	always	listen	to	both	
sides	of	the	story,	whether	it	is	a	tiny	child	or	an	
adult	as	only	then	can	you	@ind	a	lasting	solution.	
Last	 year	 when	 I	 heard	 about	 the	 plight	 of	
agricultural	labour	children	in	the	vicinity	I	knew	
we	 had	 to	 do	 something.	 The	 result	 is	 our	
Yamuna	Centre.	
I	feel	a	sense	of	pride	and	thank	Project	Why	for	
having	 made	 it	 possible	 to	 @ind	 and	 follow	 my	
true	calling.
An	indicator	of	the	success	of	our	teaching	and	
the	capability	of	our	students	is	the	reoccurrence	
of	them	topping	their	respective	classes.	In	2015	
Oive	students	from	Okhla	came	Oirst,	two	second	
and	Oive	third.	In	Govindpuri	there	were	three	
children	securing	the	Oirst,	three	securing	the	
second	and	one	securing	the	third	position	in	
class.	The	students	of	the	Madanpur	Khader	
centre	were	even	more	successful	achieving	Oive	
times	the	Oirst,	seven	times	the	second	and	seven	
times	the	third	position	of	their	classes.	A	truly	
remarkable	achievement!	
The	 overall	 ratio	 between	 female	 and	 male	
students:	
Primary Secondary
Boys Girls Boys Girls
Govind
puri
38 30 28 5
Okhla 99 80 68 84
Giri	
Nagar
10 15 47 46
Madan
pur	
Khader
73 96 67 97
Yamuna 49 35
Boys Girls
Creche 17 10
Special	SecHon 11 4
Beauty	Parlour SHtching
Women's	
vocaHonal	
training
48 81
Total	number
Boys Girls Together Staff
Govind
puri
94 49 143 10
Okhla 167 164 331 9
Giri	
Nagar
57 61 118 2
Madan
pur	
Khader
140 322 462 14
Yamuna 49 35 84 4
Total 507 631 1138 39
Project Why family: The total number of Project
Why students according to data from January 2016
Boys
45% Girls
55%
Monthly budget of Project Why expenses:
An	extensive	cost	table	can	be	sent	on	request.	
The	following	pie	chart	shows	the	efforts	of	Project	Why	to	minimise	“overhead”	or	indirect	costs	to	be	
able	to	spend	most	money	towards	the	children	and	women	directly:

Section Cost (Rupees)
Creche 42,900
Special Section 54,700
Foster Care 15,000
Primary/Secondary Govindpuri 86,800
Primary/Secondary Giri Nagar 14,950
Primary/Secondary Okhla 1,41,950
Giri Nagar/Okhla Senior Secondary 22,100
Okhla Computer 32,000
Primary/Secondary Khader 2,51,099
Vocational skills for women 38,900
Computer Khader 15,400
Yamuna 26,200
Total 7,41,999
Indirect Costs
15%
Direct Costs
85%
A	donor	speaks:	
“Whenever	I	think	of	Project	Why,	I	think	of	smiling	children.	Every	Euro,	Pound	and	Dollar	you	give	to	
this	organisation	brings	a	smile	to	somebody’s	face.	Now	that	is	an	investment	worth	making!“	
Irene	Mitchell
Volunteers speak
“I	was	19	years	old	when	I	started	my	journey	
to	 India.	 To	 be	 honest,	 I	 did	 not	 know	 much	
about	 the	 Indian	 culture,	 the	 people,	 the	
political	and	economical	circumstances	and	so	
on.	Sitting	on	the	airplane	I	though	it	would	
take	me	quite	a	while	to	@igure	out	all	of	this.	
Stupid	 me.	 It	 took	 me	 exactly	 one	 day	 at	
Project	Why	to	learn	much	more	than	I	could	
have	 dreamed	 of.	 I	 must	 say	 not	 knowing	
India	was	the	very	best	thing	that	could	have	
happened	to	me	before	entering	the	stairs	to	
Project	Why	in	Govindpuri,	because	there	is	no	
better	way	to	learn	all	this	from	human	beings	
that	see	the	world	through	their	hearts.	Thank	
you	for	the	most	amazing	and	valuable	time	in	
my	life.	Lukas	Henkel.”
“In	2008	I	spent	an	unforgettable	time	at	Project	Why	
which	taught	me	a	lot	about	life	and	the	way	we	live.	
In	December	2015	my	daughter	got	married	and	as	
father	of	the	bride	I	was	required	to	make	a	speech.	
Tradition	dictates	that	amongst	other	things	you	offer	
the	 happy	 couple	 some	 words	 of	 advice.	 My	 advice	
was	very	simple.	I	told	them	and	the	80	guests	about	
the	children	of	Project	Why	and	how	impressed	I	had	
been	that	despite	having	very	little	they	arrived	every	
day	 clean,	 enthusiastic	 and	 with	 a	 big	 smile.	 At	
Project	 Why	 you	 don´t	 see	 misery	 just	 poverty,	 no	
sadness	only	happiness.	This	is	because	Project	Why	is	
giving	them	something	special:	Not	only	an	education	
that	 for	 these	 children	 of	 India	 is	 priceless,	 but	 also	
hope.	 I	 told	 the	 bride	 and	 groom	 that	 just	 like	 the	
children	of	Project	Why	they	too	had	something	that	
money	 could	 not	 buy,	 namely	 each	 other.	 If	 they	
followed	the	example	of	these	children	and	continued	
to	 love	 each	 other	 and	 appreciate	 what	 they	 have	
then	they	would	have	a	long	and	happy	life	together.	
Eight	 years	 after	 Project	 Why	 came	 into	 my	 life	 the	
lessons	I	was	taught	still	remain	and	I	will	continue	to	
support	them	the	best	way	I	can.	Andy	Mitchell"
"Project	Why	is	incredibly	close	to	my	heart	and	I	have	continued	to	visit	
the	 charity	 at	 least	 once	 a	 year	 to	 visit	 my	 Project	 Why	 family	 and	 to	
volunteer.	 This	 year	 will	 be	 my	 9th	 visit!	 I	 have	 mainly	 worked	 with	 the	
'special	section'-	a	class	of	wonderful	children	and	adults	with	physical	and	
learning	disabilities.		
These	amazing	individuals	love	nothing	more	than	to	sing	and	dance	and	
there	is	never	a	dull	moment	being	with	them!		
No	matter	what	is	going	on	in	my	life,	spending	time	at	the	project	restores	
my	heart	and	renews	my	passion	for	life.		
The	teachers	all	work	so	hard,	as	does	everyone	behind	the	scenes	to	make	
sure	Project	Why	can	continue	to	run	and	do	the	amazing	work	it	does	for	
the	individuals	in	Delhi.	Cat	Robinson."
Donor’s connection
One	of	the	biggest	achievements	of	Project	Why	is	
its	 network	 of	 friends	 and	 supporters	 that	
extends	 across	 continents	 and	 ages.	 This	 year	
again	there	were	some	incredible	moments.	
Before	 Diwali,	 when	 the	 children	 of	 Okhla	 paint	
their	 school	 a	 group	 of	 Cub	 Scouts	 from	 the	
American	School	joined	them	and	helped	painting	
the	 school.	 It	 was	 an	 incredible	 meeting	 of	 two	
worlds	and	the	scouts	were	so	moved	seeing	that	
their	new	friends	did	not	have	shelter	on	the	roof	
that	 they	 decided	 to	 collect	 funds	 to	 build	 them	
one.	It	was	the	perfect	Christmas	gift.	
Natalia	Stüber,	a	journalist	from	Germany	visited	
the	project	and	made	a	short	Oilm.	
The	 Japanese	 Volunteer	 Group	 supported	 the	
Yamuna	 centre	 big	 time!	 They	 helped	 build	 the	
roof	as	well	as	donated	school	supplies,	uniforms	
and	more.	
2015	 was	 also	 the	 year	 when	 Project	 Why	
connected	 with	 the	 corporate	 world.	 Azure	
Hospitality	 initiated	 a	 programme	 in	 their	
Mamagoto	chain	to	raise	funds	for	Project	Why.	
Project	Why	is	also	part	of	the	CSR	programme	of	
Macaferri	India.	
Project	 Why	 further	 hosted	 the	 Omprakash	
Foundation	Partner	Conference	in	December.	
Project	 Why	 participated	 in	 the	 Celebrating	
Diaspora	 for	 Development	 discussion	 organised	
by	USAID	India	in	October	2015.	
	
Gratitude message
"Feeling	 gratitude	 and	 not	 expressing	 it	 is	 like	
wrapping	 a	 present	 and	 not	 giving	 it."	 William	
Arthur	 Ward	 once	 wrote.	 At	 Project	 Why	 we	
believe	 in	 this	 maxim.	 This	 report	 would	 be	
meaningless	 if	 we	 did	 not	 express	 our	 deepest	
gratitude	to	each	and	every	one	of	you	who	has	
made	this	journey	possible	and	successful.	We	are	
deeply	thankful	for	the	implicit	trust	each	one	of	
you	 has	 reposed	 in	 us.	 You	 have	 stood	 by	 every	
decision	 we	 have	 made	 and	 supported	 it.	 More	
than	 Oinancial	 support	 you	 have	 given	 us	 the	
moral	 support	 we	 needed	 when	 things	 looked	
bleak	and	walked	that	extra	mile	to	make	sure	we	
continued	our	work.		
This	 year	 when	 we	 faced	 a	 liquidity	 crunch,	
friends	dipped	into	their	personal	pockets	to	help	
us	 bridge	 the	 gap.	 No	 words	 can	 ever	 express	
what	we	feel.	
It	is	not	just	funds	but	many	of	you	have	reached	
to	 help	 us	 restructure	 our	 organisation	 or	 run	
donation	campaigns	and	given	us	your	advice	and	
also	 your	 time	 in	 spite	 of	 your	 other	
commitments.	We	would	like	to	especially	thank	
Emily	Fox,	Damyanti	Ghosh,	Swarup	Biswas,	Carla	
Berke,	Kabir	Suri	who	have	been	and	are	there	for	
us.	
We	would	also	like	to	express	our	gratitude	to	all	
volunteers	 past	 and	 present.	 They	 have	 been	 an	
integral	 part	 of	 our	 journey	 for	 many	 years	 and	
brought	joy	and	knowledge	to	our	children.	
But	 most	 importantly	 we	 want	 to	 express	 our	
gratitude	 to	 the	 incredible	 Project	 Why	 Team.	
Some	have	been	with	us	since	we	began.	It	is	their	
hard	 work,	 dedication,	 selOlessness	 and	
commitment	 that	 ensure	 the	 success	 of	 Project	
Why.

I	remember	the	day	when	I	@irst	visited	Project	Why.	The	visit	itself	was	just	by	chance…	I	was	visiting	some	
other	NGOs,	looking	for	the	one	I	wanted	to	be	involved	in.	Then	at	one	of	them,	I	met	a	woman	like	me,	
also	visiting	NGOs,	and	we	chatted	for	a	while.	I	asked	her	if	there's	a	"good	one"	that	she	would	
recommend,	and	she	replied	that	there's	one	she	wanted	to	visit	but	had	not	yet	done.	
That	was	the	Project	Why.	I	called	the	number	she	told	me	almost	immediately.	
So	it	started.	From	the	@irst	moment	I	stepped	into	the	world	or	the	universe	of	the	Project	Why,	I	knew	it	is	
"the	one."	
At	the	time	I	was	still	a	"new"	member	of	the	Japanese	women's	group,	but	I	didn't	hesitate	to	introduce	
the	project	to	the	group,	and	I'm	glad	the	group	accepted	my	idea	of	helping	the	project.	
Yes,	it	was	indeed	very	interesting	and	fun	having	"Tanabata"	with	you!	
I	miss	you,	all	the	children	and	the	staff	of	Project	Why.	Naoko	Idewasa-Ito
We	could	not	have	done	this	without	each	one	of	
you	
Artist	For	Children	Canada	
Asha	For	Education	Seattle	Chapter	
Azure	Hospitality	(P)	Ltd	
Chemical	Construction	India	
Chess	Without	Borders	
Chopra	Foundation	Usa	
Cubscouts	Ais	
Delhi	Network	
Deutsch-Indische	Gesellschaft	E.V.	
Enfances	Indiennes	France	
International	Orthopaedic	Rehabilitation	
Jain	Foundation	
Japanese	Volunteer	Group	
Khm	Drive	Systems	P	Ltd	
Maccaferri	Enviromental	Solution	(P)	Ltd	
Omprakash	Foundation	Usa	
Project	Why	Deuschtland	Köln	
Project	Why	UK	
Volunteering	Travel	Solution	
Young	Hospitech	
And	
Abhey	Jain	
Alyssa	Goodman	
Anamika	Agnihotri	
Anantharaman	Muthuswamy	
Andre	Douque	
Anirban	Paul	
Anirudha	Bokil	
Arpitha	Mareddy	
Ashok	Trivedi	
Asit	Chaturvedi	
Axel	Bundschuh	
Brigitte	Wong	
Carla	Berke	
Catherine	Lough	
Charlotte	Bavley	
Claire	Sokoloff	
Damyanti	Ghosh	
David	Hart	
David	Schlenker	
Deborah	De	Bellis	
Depaali	Majumder	
Desmond	Lin	Yong	Shen	
Divyesh	Bharat	Shah	
D.V.	Sridharan	
Elizabeth	Goodman	
Emily	Fox	
Emily	Worman	
Emma	Hand	
Francine	Grant	
Gary	Levine	
Gaurav	Shah	
Gwendoline	De	Wolffs	
Howard	Schlenker	
Irene	And	Andy	Mitchell	
Janaki	Naharaj	
Jennie	Page	
Jillian	Murphy	
Jon	West	
Joyeeta	Mukerjee	
Judy	Poskanzer	
Kabir	Suri	
Kalpna	Das	
Karien	Van	Ditzhuize	
Kashmira	Patel	
Kirpa	Nagraj	
Lakshmi		
Mahua	Ghosh	
Manav	Thadani	
Manish	Menghani	
Maria	Elisabeth	
Maria	Kapasi	
Maria	Luisa	Bianco	
Marie	Christine	Gasparri	
Marion	Leichthammer	
Melissa	Mialon	
Michelle	Andriola	
Natasha	Lutes	
Nehal	Sanghvi	
Neil	Kaye	
Nirmalendru	Banerjee	
Pamela	Lazos	
Parita	Rathod	
Pinky	Chakraborty	Hore	
Poonam	Aier	
Prerna	Lele	
Priyanka	Dey	
Radhika	Roy	
Ramya	Nageshwaran	
Rekha	Dhyani	
Robert	Nierman	
S	Rajnandam	
Sangita	Jain	
Sara	Bonfanti	
Saras	Manickam	
Sarbani	Bhattacharya	
Satish	Chandra	
Shanti	Goburdhun	
Shraddha	Srivastava	
Shyam	Krishnan	
Sigrid	Steiring	
Sonal	Onkar	
Sowmya	Venkateshwaran	
Sriani	Kring	
Subarna	Mukhopadhyay	
Sumitra	Biswas	
Swarup	Biswas	
Tarun	Gulati	
V	Nageswaran	
Val	Stead	
Vikramjiet	Roy	
Yuri	Shulman	
Zuzanna	Brzezinska
CALL	TO	ACTION	
Our	journey	is	far	from	over.	As	long	as	there	are	
children	 in	 need	 of	 support,	 children	 who	 have	
been	denied	their	rights,	children	who	are	out	of	
school,	our	task	is	not	Oinished.	
We	need	your	continued	support!	
What	you	can	do	to	help:	
Make	a	donation	(visit	projectwhy.org/donate)	
Donate	in	kind		
(write	to	us	at	projectwhy@ymail.com)	
Volunteer	at	the	Project	
Join	our	social	media	pages		
Facebook:		
https://www.facebook.com/projectwhydelhi	
Twitter	
Join	our	campaigns	
Share	your	talent	with	the	children	
Take	pictures	or	make	a	Oilm	for	us	
Tell	your	friends	about	Project	Why

PROJECT	WHY	PROFILE	
Name	of	the	organisation:		 SRI	RAM	GOBURDHUN	
CHARITABLE	TRUST	(PROJECT	WHY)	
Date	of	Registration:		 	 7	May	1998	
Registration	Number:	 	 	S	32978	(under	the	
Societies	Registration	Act	XXI	of	1860)	
80	G		 	 	 	 valid	
12	A		 	 	 	 valid	
FCRA:		 	 	 	 231660437	
PAN:		 	 	 	 AABTS4278D	
Bankers:	 	 	 	Citibank	
Registered	Address:		 	 C	15	Chiragh	Enclave,	
New	Delhi	110048	
Website:	 	 	 	http://projectwhy.org

annualreport2015-2016

  • 1.
    Project Why is a Non-Governmental Organisation based in Delhi reaching out to over 1000 children and 130 women to give them a better chance and strive for a better future. It offers after-school support in the form of shadow schooling, after-school activities and a space for joy and fun. It also provides vocational training for women, day-care for children and adults with special needs, as well as early intervention for children under six.
 Donor Impact Report 2015-2016 PROJECT WHY Sri Ram Goburdhun Charitable Trust FROM THE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY 2 DEDICATED WITH A LARGE HEART 3 EASY ACCESS 1 VERY LOW OVERHEAD COSTS 7 VERY SMALL COST PER STUDENT 6 NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS 4 FLEXIBLE TO SPECIFIC NEEDS 5 A HOME AWAY FROM HOME 8
  • 2.
    Anou’s message “It isonly with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye”. Antoine de St Exupery, The Little Prince The past year once again proved how strong and committed our network of donors and well wishers is! 2015-2016 was once again a picture perfect front stage. Your unstinted support allowed us to make a difference in the lives of many children and women in all our centres as well as extend our family. We now reach out to over 80 forgotten and out-of-school children of agricultural labour on the banks of the Yamuna. This has been a truly precious moment in the Project Why journey. Okhla now has a roof and a kind donor again made this possible. This has allowed us to get more space, and extend our computer centre, the only one in the area! Back stage things were slightly different and once again it is all of you that helped us remain on course! In October 2015 the Oinancial situation hit rock bottom due to unforeseen circumstances. I am overwhelmed by the immediate response from friends who did not hesitate to dip in their pockets to make sure we kept aOloat. This crisis situation made us aware of the fragility of our funding strategies and we realised it was time to reinvent ourselves. Many supporters offered their assistance and we are now in the process of restructuring our internal systems and extending our funding networks. The work is in full swing and we will see Project Why charting a new course in the near future. My deepest gratitude to all that made this possible: the Project Why team that always takes on every challenge and our donors whose trust in our work is unwavering. To each and everyone a big thank you!

  • 3.
    Opening of theYamuna centre April 2015 We came to know about the plight of the agricultural labour children on the banks of the Yamuna in late March 2015. In April 2015 we had opened a day school for these forgotten children who had never been to school. The centre was set up with the help of many friends: the Japanese volunteer group who donated money to build a roof and also donated uniforms, sweaters and school bags and supplies and a wonderful group of virtual friends who donated funds for the toilet. Not to forget all those who heard the call and are donating for the day- to-day running. Azure Hospitality graciously provides these children a hot lunch 6 days a week. In a short year the Yamuna centre is a vibrant child friendly space and these forgotten children are making up for lost time. A makeover for Okhla July 2015 Okhla is a centre very close to our heart. More so because this is a location where children are in danger of being exploited by drug and other maOias and our intervention has deOinitely saved many children. The demand grows bigger and the space smaller so we were thrilled when generous donors agreed to fund an expansion. The tin roof was replaced by a concrete one thus opening up the roof space for classes. The secondary section moved on the roof and the computer centre was extended allowing more children and residents to discover computers and also allowing more children to join the centre.
 The only computer centre around The Project Why Okhla centre has a brand new computer room. It opened its doors in July 2015 after Kabir Suri helped us build the solid roof thus giving us the required space. The computer centre began in 2009 on popular demand of the children with ONE laptop. Today, thanks to generous donors we have six computers and it is the only centre in the industrial area. Learning how to handle a computer is crucial to success in today’s world and we want every child to get this knowledge. Hence we teach basic computer skills to make them proOicient in different IT areas. But that is not all, computer based learning is a huge asset to all our children as it allows them to widen their knowledge. It is also a great tool for English teaching. We also want to teach Internet usage and show the children that over and above social media, the Internet is a mine of knowledge at their disposal to be used abundantly. Highlights 2015- 2016
  • 4.
    Programme Highlights Shadow Education Shadow education is the term used to deOine all private tutoring that children have to follow to succeed in school. It comes at a price that parents from poorer homes cannot afford and leads to children dropping out. Project Why offers it at no cost. Project Why’s version of shadow education extends beyond curriculum support and provides all-round education and an enabling environment for children to thrive. Primary Outreach Project Why runs its primary education support centres in four locations: Govindpuri, Okhla, Giri Nagar and Khader reaching out to a total of 441 children. Once again this programme has allowed us to help children keep abreast with their studies and perform well. Many of our children have topped their classes and beneOitted from the programme. But that is not all. Project Why is not simply a tuition class. Many children are able to Oind the space they need and the enabling environment they cannot get at home. Over and above school curriculum they can unleash their creativity and also have the fun they often miss out. 
 Primary section in the Madanpur Khader centre My name is Pancham. I am 10 year old. The situation at home is not easy. I have a single mom who takes care of us. The problem is that she drinks and often does not go to work. I often have to do her work so that we can eat. I try and study but it is not easy as no one at home helps me or motivates me to. But the teachers are there for me and if I miss school they come to @ind out why and persuade me to come back. The area we live in is not nice for children. There are bad people who try and make us do wrong things. I too have sniffed glue. I know it is bad. My teachers are trying to keep me safe. I want to study and move to a nice area. Pancham in the Okhla centre
  • 5.
    Secondary Outreach Project Why runs secondary outreach programmes at Govindpuri, Okhla, Giri Nagar and Khader. There are 442 secondary students. Our intervention is crucial, as it is nearly impossible to succeed in examinations without outside tuition. This is due to the fact that the state-run schools are overcrowded and fail to teach the curriculum. Tuition is not cheap and can cost 500 rupees a month per subject if not more. Many parents cannot afford it. Those who do, often send their sons instead of their daughters due to existing gender-discrimination. Project Why offers quality support at no cost and enables students to complete their education with good marks thus allowing them to accede to higher education. Most of our students have continued their education opting for a variety of subjects. Project Why offers its students the support and encouragement they need and that is where it makes a real difference. Early Education The Project Why crèche is more than a decade old. The plight of toddlers in slums is heart wrenching. These children are often left to run around unattended in unsafe surroundings, as their parents are too busy to foster them. When it is time to go to school, they are not enrolled and thus remain out of the education net. Our crèche addresses this situation by reaching out to the most vulnerable children and ensuring that they are safe and ready for admission to mainstream school. Currently there are 27 children enrolled in our early education programme. Crèche in Govindpuri My Name is Sabrun. I am in class XI. I have two sisters Rukshar (Class X) and Nazia (Class VII). We belong to Uttar Pradesh. Both my parents work. In 2010 my father lost his job after a road accident. My mother lost her job too because of her health. It was a terrible situation and my parents were thinking of going back to our village. I did not want to, as I knew that would mean giving up my studies. I shared this with my teacher at Project Why where I had been studying for the past seven years. Project Why helped my father get admitted in hospital. My mother stayed with him to take care of him so we girls were alone. Project Why looked after us and gave us lunch every day and made sure we were safe. Project Why also helped my parents get employment and paid for our fees and other needs until my parents were on their feet again. We girls continued to go to school uninterrupted! My name is Nitish and I am six year old. I live in Okhla Phase 1. My father drinks the whole day and never works. My mother is a midwife and masseuse and works all day. No one looked after me so I used to spend most of the time on the road and the garbage dump was my favourite playground as I use to @ind many things to play with. One day some ladies were passing by and they saw me and asked to meet my parents. They were from Project Why. They convinced my parents to get me admitted. Every day a three-wheeler came near my house and took me to my class. I loved it there, as there were toys and other children to play with. I even got a hot lunch. I spent three happy years there and this year got admitted to the big school in class I. If Project Why had not found me I guess I would still roam the streets.
  • 6.
    The very specialsection Project Why’s special section has been home to many children and young and not so young adults for more than a decade. Some students have been with us since the very beginning. Others have left for a variety of reasons. Some were mainstreamed; others went to specialised schools; some moved out and some were taken out by their parents often to be sent to their villages. At any given time there are around 15 children and adults with special needs in our centre. The need for this section goes without saying. Individuals with special needs have a rough time and are often misunderstood, ignored and even abused. This worsens with age. At the Project Why special section they Oind a place where they are loved and cared for and where they are treated as equals and valorised. 
 The special section in Govindpuri My name is Shalini. I am 39 years old. I have been coming to Project Why for the past 14 years. I have Down syndrome. This makes me different. I know I have challenging behaviour but I cannot help it. My mother and father try to bear with this but sometimes it makes them angry. I think it is because of what people say. At Project Why everyone understands my behaviour and accepts it. I love Project Why because I know that I am accepted and loved as I am. I love dancing and we dance a lot in our class. When visitors come I often perform and everyone loves the way I dance. It makes me feel happy. But Mom is very sick and Papa is alone at home. So I have not been going to class, as I have to look after mama and the house and also the baby of my brother. My sister in law has gone back to work. My nephew is just 2 months old. I try to do my best but sometimes it is dif@icult. I do not show my feelings but sometimes I am scared. What will happen if mama goes away? I want to go back to the Project, as it is the only place I feel safe and loved without condition.
  • 7.
    Non-Formal Education atthe Yamuna Centre Though our main thrust is formal education it was necessary to adopt another strategy with the children of the Yamuna centre. Once again this was made possible thanks to the trust and support of our donors. The Yamuna centre children have never been to school. These are children of labourers who work on the vegetable Oields along the river. There is no school in the near vicinity and above all most of these children do not appear on any census. Such children help their families in the Oields. Yet they are children and have the same rights and dreams as all children. For them we set up a day school with a range of activities. A hot lunch is provided to them thanks to a kind donor. They have books, and bags and even uniforms in order to make them feel like any other school going child. The children are eager to learn and are making astounding progress. We envisage Oinding a way to mainstream them into a governmental school. Their burning desire to learn so amply displayed by little Priya whose refusal to accept that she was too young made us realise that we had taken the right decision. Cyber Why Project Why named its computer learning programme Cyber Why. The main thrust is to familiarise the children with computers, as it is an essential tool to accede to good employment. At this point in time we have two computer centres located in Okhla and Khader. The newly opened Okhla computer centre is described in our highlights section of this year. Our Khader computer programme is also in demand by the children and also by the ladies! Thanks to generous donors we now have seven fully functional computers on avail. Old computers make sound learning material for the hardware and maintenance classes we also run. Many our alumni have found good jobs thanks to their proOiciency in computers. Extra curricular activities Project Why is a Oirm believer in all rounded education that goes beyond school curriculum. It endeavours to give to its children the means to explore their creativity and explore the world beyond the conOines of their existence and learn to be conOident and responsible. In house workshops on environmental issues, hygiene, gender issues, civic duties etc. are held regularly. We also invite guests to conduct workshops. In 2015 the Modi Care Foundation ran a two-day workshop on adolescent issues at Okhla and Khader. Damyanti Gosh, a writer from Singapore held a spoken English and public speaking class for teachers and students. Eva and Carla taught spoken English to the Okhla children and students throughout the year. Children are also taken on outings made possible by donors and volunteers. Further we encourage our students to engage in various activities outside of the regular school activities. Our students have, very successfully, taken part in drawing, dancing, theatre and singing competitions and regularly achieve top places in maths, science or language contests.
 Children of the Yamuna centre
  • 8.
    Vocational training forwomen It may seem surprising to include women related activities in an organisation primarily engaged in children’s education. Not quite. We realised very early in our journey that it was the women who were important agents of social transformation if they were truly empowered. Empowerment is much increased with the women becoming Oinancials partners in the household and that was only possible if they were taught vocational skills. Today 129 women are learning to be seamstresses or beauticians in the women’s centre in Madanpur Khader. Every six month a new batch replaces the earlier one. All in all over the past ten years 1210 women have graduated from our centre, obtaining a vocational skills certiOicate. The majority have been gainfully employed, some getting outside jobs while others opting to work from home. Becoming Oinancial partners has given them a stronger voice in their homes. Boarding School This programme is very dear to Project Why’s founder as it validates her strong belief that children from all walks of life should study under one roof and schools should be a level playing Oield. It is also her unwavering belief that if given a chance, children from weaker sections of society can and will excel. All seven children presently in this programme have tragic backgrounds and would have dropped out of school or never gone to school. Most have dysfunctional families. Two are burn survivors and one had open-heart surgery (sponsored by Project Why donors). The children are doing extremely well and often top their classes. Sewing classes in the Madanpur Khader centre Our boarding school children
  • 9.
    Our Project WhyTeam Project Why is strongly community-based. Its policy is to nurture and employ the skills available within the neighbourhoods. The result is 48 new jobs, and for 80% of the staff this employment is the sole source of income for the family. Over 98% of the team comprises of members of the local community, thus generating much needed employment opportunities. Five of Project Why’s ex-students are now employed as teachers. Because Project Why is not only a school-educational programme, the whole organisation is based on commitment to equality. This has meant that communities, who would previously barely interact, learnt to discover each other, respect one another and work together to Oind solutions to their problems. Possibly the best idea to introduce our team is through personal stories of our staff: My Name is Rani. I am 32 years old. My journey with Project Why began 16 years ago. I was sixteen, had dropped out of school because my family could not pay my fees and I was beaten when I asked for a few more days. My mother being illiterate and not understanding the importance of education took me out of school. I was sent to a charitable organisation to do a nursing aide’s course. That is when Anou Ma’am came to my home to meet my mother, a healer and seeing the plight of children decided to start what we all call Project Why. The @irst thing was a spoken English class and I was the @irst to enrol. Some time later she asked me to run a small @ist aid post for the community and I jumped at the offer. I knew that this was the way for me to change my life. I spent most of my time at Project Why imbibing everything and helping each time asked. When the former coordinator left unexpectedly Anou Ma’am needed someone to take the place and she asked me to do so. I was happy to get this opportunity but was also scared that I would not be able to walk in the shoes of my predecessor. It was not easy. I had to command the respect of people from within my community, many who knew me since I was still young but I took on the challenge and decided to win them over. As time passed, I understood what was expected of me and became more con@ident in my role. Project Why made me understand the importance of education in the process of social mobility and so I decided to continue my own education. Without taking a day off I passed my X and XII Boards and obtained a University degree through distance learning. Project Why allowed me to change not only my life, but that of my family who allowed me to follow my dreams. This change allowed me to be part of a journey that aspires to change the life of more than a thousand children and their families today. Social mobility is possible; all you need is EDUCATION!
  • 10.
    
 My Name is Rahul. I am 21 year old. In 2002, when I was just @ive I used to attend Project Why classes but stopped going as I guess I did not understand the importance and going to school twice a day was very long. Much later, when I was in class XI I joined again and stayed until the end of my school. Naresh Sir taught me maths in the Giri Nagar centre and built my con@idence so I passed my school-leaving certi@icate with ease. With my grades I hoped to get admitted to a regular college but my family could not afford the fees. Financial problems stood in the way of my dreams. We are six in the family and live in such a tiny room that I often wonder how we manage. I have two sisters and a brother, who also received help from Project Why. My father is very hard working but is a seasonal worker selling peanuts in winter and ice candy in summer. That does not take you very far. We barely manage to make ends meet so even after 20 years have not saved anything. The options were few. I shared my problem with Project Why and in February 2016 they offered me to teach primary classes at the Okhla centre. I have enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree through distance learning and can pay the extra tuition I need as well as help my family. I want to work hard to change my life but also help my siblings pursue their dreams. Project Why has enabled we to take the @irst step in that direction. My name is Dharmendra Beniwal. I am 39 years old. I am the coordinator of Project Why’s women and children centre at Khader and the newly opened Yamuna centre. I @irst came to Project Why in 2005. I wonder what made me trade the comfort of a multinational company with a secure job for the chaotic lanes Delhi slums but when a relative told me about a newly opened ‘NGO’ in his neighbourhood, I felt an irresistible pull. I joined as a humanities teacher for the secondary section. I liked teaching but I found myself spending more and more time with the community sharing their problems and thoughts. I also spent more time with Anou Ma’am discussing matters that often went beyond education. She would tell me later that she felt we were kindred spirits. We both wanted to change the communities. In 2007 I got my big opportunity when Project Why decided to open its women centre. Anou Ma’am asked me to take charge and there was no coming back. In the last decade I have handled many problems big and small from neighbourhood water @ights to the rants and raves of a bipolar soul. What I think made me successfully solve problems in all these years is the fact that I always listen to both sides of the story, whether it is a tiny child or an adult as only then can you @ind a lasting solution. Last year when I heard about the plight of agricultural labour children in the vicinity I knew we had to do something. The result is our Yamuna Centre. I feel a sense of pride and thank Project Why for having made it possible to @ind and follow my true calling.
  • 11.
    An indicator of the success of our teaching and the capability of our students is the reoccurrence of them topping their respective classes. In 2015 Oive students from Okhla came Oirst, two second and Oive third. In Govindpuri there were three children securing the Oirst, three securing the second and one securing the third position in class. The students of the Madanpur Khader centre were even more successful achieving Oive times the Oirst, seven times the second and seven times the third position of their classes. A truly remarkable achievement! The overall ratio between female and male students: Primary Secondary Boys Girls Boys Girls Govind puri 38 30 28 5 Okhla 99 80 68 84 Giri Nagar 10 15 47 46 Madan pur Khader 73 96 67 97 Yamuna 49 35 Boys Girls Creche 17 10 Special SecHon 11 4 Beauty Parlour SHtching Women's vocaHonal training 48 81 Total number Boys Girls Together Staff Govind puri 94 49 143 10 Okhla 167 164 331 9 Giri Nagar 57 61 118 2 Madan pur Khader 140 322 462 14 Yamuna 49 35 84 4 Total 507 631 1138 39 Project Why family: The total number of Project Why students according to data from January 2016 Boys 45% Girls 55%
  • 12.
    Monthly budget ofProject Why expenses: An extensive cost table can be sent on request. The following pie chart shows the efforts of Project Why to minimise “overhead” or indirect costs to be able to spend most money towards the children and women directly:
 Section Cost (Rupees) Creche 42,900 Special Section 54,700 Foster Care 15,000 Primary/Secondary Govindpuri 86,800 Primary/Secondary Giri Nagar 14,950 Primary/Secondary Okhla 1,41,950 Giri Nagar/Okhla Senior Secondary 22,100 Okhla Computer 32,000 Primary/Secondary Khader 2,51,099 Vocational skills for women 38,900 Computer Khader 15,400 Yamuna 26,200 Total 7,41,999 Indirect Costs 15% Direct Costs 85% A donor speaks: “Whenever I think of Project Why, I think of smiling children. Every Euro, Pound and Dollar you give to this organisation brings a smile to somebody’s face. Now that is an investment worth making!“ Irene Mitchell
  • 13.
    Volunteers speak “I was 19 years old when I started my journey to India. To be honest, I did not know much about the Indian culture, the people, the political and economical circumstances and so on. Sitting on the airplane I though it would take me quite a while to @igure out all of this. Stupid me. It took me exactly one day at Project Why to learn much more than I could have dreamed of. I must say not knowing India was the very best thing that could have happened to me before entering the stairs to Project Why in Govindpuri, because there is no better way to learn all this from human beings that see the world through their hearts. Thank you for the most amazing and valuable time in my life. Lukas Henkel.” “In 2008 I spent an unforgettable time at Project Why which taught me a lot about life and the way we live. In December 2015 my daughter got married and as father of the bride I was required to make a speech. Tradition dictates that amongst other things you offer the happy couple some words of advice. My advice was very simple. I told them and the 80 guests about the children of Project Why and how impressed I had been that despite having very little they arrived every day clean, enthusiastic and with a big smile. At Project Why you don´t see misery just poverty, no sadness only happiness. This is because Project Why is giving them something special: Not only an education that for these children of India is priceless, but also hope. I told the bride and groom that just like the children of Project Why they too had something that money could not buy, namely each other. If they followed the example of these children and continued to love each other and appreciate what they have then they would have a long and happy life together. Eight years after Project Why came into my life the lessons I was taught still remain and I will continue to support them the best way I can. Andy Mitchell" "Project Why is incredibly close to my heart and I have continued to visit the charity at least once a year to visit my Project Why family and to volunteer. This year will be my 9th visit! I have mainly worked with the 'special section'- a class of wonderful children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. These amazing individuals love nothing more than to sing and dance and there is never a dull moment being with them! No matter what is going on in my life, spending time at the project restores my heart and renews my passion for life. The teachers all work so hard, as does everyone behind the scenes to make sure Project Why can continue to run and do the amazing work it does for the individuals in Delhi. Cat Robinson."
  • 14.
    Donor’s connection One of the biggest achievements of Project Why is its network of friends and supporters that extends across continents and ages. This year again there were some incredible moments. Before Diwali, when the children of Okhla paint their school a group of Cub Scouts from the American School joined them and helped painting the school. It was an incredible meeting of two worlds and the scouts were so moved seeing that their new friends did not have shelter on the roof that they decided to collect funds to build them one. It was the perfect Christmas gift. Natalia Stüber, a journalist from Germany visited the project and made a short Oilm. The Japanese Volunteer Group supported the Yamuna centre big time! They helped build the roof as well as donated school supplies, uniforms and more. 2015 was also the year when Project Why connected with the corporate world. Azure Hospitality initiated a programme in their Mamagoto chain to raise funds for Project Why. Project Why is also part of the CSR programme of Macaferri India. Project Why further hosted the Omprakash Foundation Partner Conference in December. Project Why participated in the Celebrating Diaspora for Development discussion organised by USAID India in October 2015. Gratitude message "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." William Arthur Ward once wrote. At Project Why we believe in this maxim. This report would be meaningless if we did not express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has made this journey possible and successful. We are deeply thankful for the implicit trust each one of you has reposed in us. You have stood by every decision we have made and supported it. More than Oinancial support you have given us the moral support we needed when things looked bleak and walked that extra mile to make sure we continued our work. This year when we faced a liquidity crunch, friends dipped into their personal pockets to help us bridge the gap. No words can ever express what we feel. It is not just funds but many of you have reached to help us restructure our organisation or run donation campaigns and given us your advice and also your time in spite of your other commitments. We would like to especially thank Emily Fox, Damyanti Ghosh, Swarup Biswas, Carla Berke, Kabir Suri who have been and are there for us. We would also like to express our gratitude to all volunteers past and present. They have been an integral part of our journey for many years and brought joy and knowledge to our children. But most importantly we want to express our gratitude to the incredible Project Why Team. Some have been with us since we began. It is their hard work, dedication, selOlessness and commitment that ensure the success of Project Why.
 I remember the day when I @irst visited Project Why. The visit itself was just by chance… I was visiting some other NGOs, looking for the one I wanted to be involved in. Then at one of them, I met a woman like me, also visiting NGOs, and we chatted for a while. I asked her if there's a "good one" that she would recommend, and she replied that there's one she wanted to visit but had not yet done. That was the Project Why. I called the number she told me almost immediately. So it started. From the @irst moment I stepped into the world or the universe of the Project Why, I knew it is "the one." At the time I was still a "new" member of the Japanese women's group, but I didn't hesitate to introduce the project to the group, and I'm glad the group accepted my idea of helping the project. Yes, it was indeed very interesting and fun having "Tanabata" with you! I miss you, all the children and the staff of Project Why. Naoko Idewasa-Ito
  • 15.
    We could not have done this without each one of you Artist For Children Canada Asha For Education Seattle Chapter Azure Hospitality (P) Ltd Chemical Construction India Chess Without Borders Chopra Foundation Usa Cubscouts Ais Delhi Network Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft E.V. Enfances Indiennes France International Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Jain Foundation Japanese Volunteer Group Khm Drive Systems P Ltd Maccaferri Enviromental Solution (P) Ltd Omprakash Foundation Usa Project Why Deuschtland Köln Project Why UK Volunteering Travel Solution Young Hospitech And Abhey Jain Alyssa Goodman Anamika Agnihotri Anantharaman Muthuswamy Andre Douque Anirban Paul Anirudha Bokil Arpitha Mareddy Ashok Trivedi Asit Chaturvedi Axel Bundschuh Brigitte Wong Carla Berke Catherine Lough Charlotte Bavley Claire Sokoloff Damyanti Ghosh David Hart David Schlenker Deborah De Bellis Depaali Majumder Desmond Lin Yong Shen Divyesh Bharat Shah D.V. Sridharan Elizabeth Goodman Emily Fox Emily Worman Emma Hand Francine Grant Gary Levine Gaurav Shah Gwendoline De Wolffs Howard Schlenker Irene And Andy Mitchell Janaki Naharaj Jennie Page Jillian Murphy Jon West Joyeeta Mukerjee Judy Poskanzer Kabir Suri Kalpna Das Karien Van Ditzhuize Kashmira Patel Kirpa Nagraj Lakshmi Mahua Ghosh Manav Thadani Manish Menghani Maria Elisabeth Maria Kapasi Maria Luisa Bianco Marie Christine Gasparri Marion Leichthammer Melissa Mialon Michelle Andriola Natasha Lutes Nehal Sanghvi Neil Kaye Nirmalendru Banerjee Pamela Lazos Parita Rathod Pinky Chakraborty Hore Poonam Aier Prerna Lele Priyanka Dey Radhika Roy Ramya Nageshwaran Rekha Dhyani Robert Nierman S Rajnandam Sangita Jain Sara Bonfanti Saras Manickam Sarbani Bhattacharya Satish Chandra Shanti Goburdhun Shraddha Srivastava Shyam Krishnan Sigrid Steiring Sonal Onkar Sowmya Venkateshwaran Sriani Kring Subarna Mukhopadhyay Sumitra Biswas Swarup Biswas Tarun Gulati V Nageswaran Val Stead Vikramjiet Roy Yuri Shulman Zuzanna Brzezinska
  • 16.
    CALL TO ACTION Our journey is far from over. As long as there are children in need of support, children who have been denied their rights, children who are out of school, our task is not Oinished. We need your continued support! What you can do to help: Make a donation (visit projectwhy.org/donate) Donate in kind (write to us at projectwhy@ymail.com) Volunteer at the Project Join our social media pages Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectwhydelhi Twitter Join our campaigns Share your talent with the children Take pictures or make a Oilm for us Tell your friends about Project Why
 PROJECT WHY PROFILE Name of the organisation: SRI RAM GOBURDHUN CHARITABLE TRUST (PROJECT WHY) Date of Registration: 7 May 1998 Registration Number: S 32978 (under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860) 80 G valid 12 A valid FCRA: 231660437 PAN: AABTS4278D Bankers: Citibank Registered Address: C 15 Chiragh Enclave, New Delhi 110048 Website: http://projectwhy.org