MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (August 8, 2016) – “Rise Up! Daughters of India” – a passion project undertaken by a group of South Asian employees at World Vision Canada, launched today. Rise Up! Daughters of India is an integrated project that aims to engage the Indian diaspora in Canada to help Indian girls stay in school, through the provision of toilet facilities.
In Canada, girls can easily go to the washroom when they need to. Sadly, in India it’s a different story. About 63 million girls do not have access to toilet facilities in India forcing them to ‘go’ outside. A significant number of girls decide to drop out rather than risk their safety and dignity.
At the project launch during the Panorama India Festival at Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, World Vision Canada representative Rochelle Rondon encouraged the Indian community to visit the project website at daughtersofindia.ca; consider donating; and share the campaign website address to friends, family members, and social media contacts.
With a minimum of $10 monthly donation for at least three months, the project hopes to help girls in India remain in school.
“Nature’s call should not be answered outdoors. But, it is a normal occurrence in India where a reported 47% of schools do not have functioning separate toilets for girls. The Rise Up! Daughters of India offers the Indian diaspora an opportunity to give Indian girls the dignity and protection they deserve.”
-Elmer H Lighid, Rise Up! Daughters of India Project Lead, World Vision Canada.
Members of the Indian community in Canada can visit the project website at www.daughtersofindia.ca and consider pledging to help provide girls in India with toilets at their schools. They can also share the campaign website address to friends, family members, and social media contacts.
For more information and interviews contact the project coordinator Jaison Mathew: Jaison_Mathew@worldvision.ca (647.781.2393) and Genevieve Barber: Genevieve_barber@worldvision.ca
World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit their News Centre at worldvision.ca
Report by Jaison Mathew
