About Hamare Bachche
In 2002, a train in the city of Godhra in Gujarat, India was set ablaze by a mob, sparking a massive riot that resulted in the deaths of over a 1,000 people. The dead were mostly several male breadwinners of these poor communities. According to official accounts, 900 women were widowed and over 600 children orphaned. Many of the children were severely shocked by the brutality of the Gujarat riots, and often witnessed their parents being burnt alive by mobs. The widows and children of these victims not only suffered deep psychological trauma; they also lost their means of livelihood and lack the education and support to restart their lives.

The Self Employed Women’s Assocation (SEWA) started the Hamare Bachche (“Our Children”) Program aimed at rehabilitating children who lost one or both parents in the riots and placing them back in school to finish their education. Children between the ages of 3-18 years were enrolled in nursery, primary and secondary schools through the program, in addition to counseling programs and other extracurricular activities.

The psychological trauma faced by the children requires special care and attention. Regular meetings with teachers and guardians are held to monitor the children’s well-being and education; teachers were instructed to deal these children with patience and utmost care. Special tutoring and test prep are also given to needy Hamare Bachche students to inspire confidence and improve performance.

The psychological trauma faced by the children requires special care and attention. This program covers the costs of education for the Hamare Bachche children, in addition to:
∙Trauma Assessment and Counseling
∙School fees and supplies
∙Uniforms
∙Room and Board (if necessary)
∙Health Care Services
∙Childcare Services for Younger Children
∙Vocational Guidance and Trainings
∙Extra-curricular Activities and Field Trips
∙Organizing special programs like Summer Camps, Workshops, and picnics
∙Exam Preparation and Tutoring

Ethan and Maha's Project
As the weather warms and we say goodbye to our beloved roommate, we invite you to spread the love with a party for a cause. The party will raise funds the Hamare Bachche (Our Children) Project in Ahmedabad to support children affected by the 2002 Gujarat riots.

We hope that you will give as much as you can but our suggested donation is $5-10. It costs $120 to support one child for one year, including education expenses, trauma assessment and counseling for families affected by the riots. This is a project of 1 well (1well.org) and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the children. Feel free to contact May or Maha for more information on the project.

We provide: drinks and the (rockin) dance floor.
You bring: dancing shoes and a generous spirit. Feel free to bring friends.
Expect project themed music sneaked into the dance classics (hint: bollywood and bhangra).

Profiles of the Hamare Bachche Ahmedabad girls we hope to sponsor:

Ayesha S. Saiyed
Age: 10, 4th Standard
Ayesha lives with her mother after her father was killed in the 2002 riots in Ahmedabad. According to her teachers, Ayesha is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who has a strong interest in reading and writing. However, Ayesha’s mother can no longer afford to support her daughter’s education for the 2009-2010 school year, and Ayesha will not be to continue school.

Yasmin Y. Pathan
Age: 12, 7th Standard
Yasmin and is a brilliant student, and her mother is determined to have her daughter continue and finish secondary school despite Pathan family’s low income and inability to pay school fees. Yasmin’s mother has borrowed money to buy educational materials for her daughter. Yasmin feels guilty and does not want her family to be in debt because of her educational expenses.

Alfina N. Ajmervala
Age: 8, 3rd Standard
Alfina’s mother suffers from epilepsy and is often unable to find work. After the death of her father in 2002, Alfina’s paternal grandparents have refused to help provide support, and both Alfina and her mother are entirely dependent upon Alfina’s maternal grandfather. The family cannot afford to pay for Alfina’s school fees, and Alfina will be unable to continue her education after the current school year.

Nazmin M. Pathan
Age: 6, 2nd Standard
After the death of Nazmin’s father, Nazmin’s mother found employment as a domestic worker in effort to support herself and her daughter. However, she has become unable to meet the household expenses and cannot pay for Nazmin’s education past the 2009 school year.

Join Ethan and Maha, and partner with Ahmedabad to provide orphaned children with the opportunity to complete their education.
To support Ethan and Maha's project, click "Donate Now" below, and select "Ahmedabad City - Ethan and Maha's Hamare Bachche Project" from the drop down menu.