Sambhali Trust is a non-profit charitable organisation based in Jodhpur, whose focus is the development and empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan. The grass roots charity provide underprivileged Rajasthani women and girls with an education in English, Hindi and Maths, as well as training in vocational and social skills, to support them in developing confidence and self-esteem, and help them work towards financial independence.

This charity is so significant because the women and children whom make use of the charity experience discrimination on a daily basis because of their low status in class, caste and gender. These women are greatly suppressed due to the patriarchal nature of their society and have little or no access to education. They are denied the right to choose their husband and often face a high level of verbal, physical and sexual abuse within their family circle and community.

I will be volunteering at the Sambhali trust centre in Jodhpur for two months over this summer, working in various projects including education in English for girls and women and workshops in women health, politics and basic computer skills. As the charity is grass roots, they can not provide funding for accommodation/flights which is completely understandable. Therefore, i am fundraising to help me with the costs of getting to India and also to collect money for the charity itself. I am extremely passionate about women's rights and empowerment, and volunteering in India at this wonderful organisation will give me valuable skills and experience and help me to do such important work and help women to have a high self esteem, be financially dependent and get out of the cycle of poverty.

I will be adding fundraising activities to the page and i am currently volunteering at a womens direct access centre creating a new garden for the residents :-)