Dalit Solidarity

MISSION STATEMENT We commit ourselves to work for the development of the dalits or the untouchables in the subcontinent of Ind...Learn more

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Shaunya Kumar is fundraising
Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India

https://ruralliteracyempowerment.org/

Hi, I'm Shaunya, founder of Rural Literacy Empowerment, and I believe in empowering rural communities in India by fostering a love for reading among students by increasing access to diverse literature. Through our partnership with Dalit Solidarity, 501(c)(3), RLE is supporting its first pilot library in Sarwagauhan, Uttar Pradesh, India, led by local philanthropist Amit Gautham. We’re collaborating to bring impactful educational resources to this underserved region.

Project Overview: Savitribai Phule Village Library, Sarwagauhan, UP, India

In our inaugural project, RLE and Amit Gautham—founder of the Savitribai Phule Village Library—are working together to create a vibrant educational center for the youth in Sarwagauhan. Originally founded in 2019, the library served just 10 students. Today, it reaches nearly 200 students, offering free after-school coaching and a broad selection of educational resources.

Thanks to our partnership, we’re hoping to...

Expand library collection with books by contemporary authors, current-day magazines, and genres that explore real-world themes like resilience, empathy, and cultural heritage

Establish Reliable WiFi and Network Access to connect students to online resources and broader learning opportunities.

Provide Comprehensive Educational Resources such as textbooks, test prep materials, and workbooks for every grade level.

Secure FCRA Approval to support the library’s recognition as a registered grassroots NGO.

Our Team

Shaunya Kumar, Founder, Rural Literacy Empowerment

Amit Gautham, Founder, Savitribai Phule Village Library

Ben Chinnappan, Founder & President, Dalit Solidarity

Leenus Thiag, Co-Director, Dalit Solidarity

About Savitribai Phule Village Library

Founded by Amit in 2019, the Savitribai Phule Village Library is an inspiring community hub serving Dalit children and families. From humble beginnings, Amit’s vision has helped the library grow to support almost 200 students and 300 adult members. As the first high school graduate from his village and a Master’s degree holder in Rural Technology & Development, Amit’s personal journey drives his dedication to education and equal opportunity. Through this library, he’s committed to breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination and opening doors for every child in Sarwagauhan.

Why Support This Project?

100% of donations will go directly toward sustaining the Savitribai Phule Village Library's mission of empowerment through education. Each contribution helps us:

Expand library resources with new textbooks, novels, magazines, and more

Maintain essential connectivity for online learning and community access.

Cover costs for educational materials and activities

Together, let’s unlock the doors of opportunity for marginalized communities. With your support, we can fuel a brighter future through literacy and learning.

Thank you for being a part of this journey!
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5 supporters
Benjamin Chinnappan is fundraising
Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt Memorial High School

Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September 2016. She was trying out for her High School Volleyball Team in August 2016 and her leg was in severe pain. A local x-ray and trip to the hospital, followed by a biopsy, showed Kaitlyn had Osteosarcoma in her Fibula. After a 22- hour surgery to remove the tumor and perform a flap transplant, she was feeling ok and recovering, and believed to be cancer free. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of a 22-month struggle of relapses, staph infections, hundreds of blood transfusions, weeks and weeks of chemotherapy, lung surgeries, brain radiation, trials, and a lot of pain and illness. The cancer eventually took over and Kaitlyn passed away after a long and valiant fight with this beast. She fought long and hard, almost always refused pain meds, never went on hospice and lived her short life the best she could, with her faith, her smile and her love for God. She always worried about her family and friends before herself. She made such a difference in this world in her short time here. Her legacy will live on, and when they finally find the cure, she will have lit the path

Want to join me in making a difference? Help Kaitlyn’s legacy live on and show how her life here on earth, impacted so many people and encouraged all to make a difference, and pay it forward. Thanks to Deacon Jim Stahlnecker and Father Ben from India, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was built and opened on March 2, 2019 in Kaitlyn’s memory in St. Theresa's Parish in Kakkanour, India. Kaitlyn displayed a great amount of faith, trust and courage as she was battling cancer. She became a great role model for children and others, showing them how to live and accept God's will in our lives, despite so many challenges. Petitions and prayers were submitted during the blessing of the Grotto. Now the Grotto has become a shrine for people to support and to pray for the Sainthood of Kaitlyn in the coming days. Hundreds of school children from the parish participated in the inauguration of the Grotto and admire her as their role model.

Additionally, the children have been praying to Kaitlyn for an upgrade of their high school. They are in desperate need of a high school with four classrooms. Currently they are forced to go to nearby towns to complete high schooling and safety, transportation and inconvenience are daily challenges for these poor children, who sit on the floor while trying to learn. Your contribution in honor and memory of Kaitlyn would help hundreds of children learn in a safe environment. This will also prevent many children from dropping out of school and forced to become child laborers. Your donations will make a huge impact in the finishing of the class rooms before October 1st, 2019 on the feast of St. Theresa of Child Jesus.

There are many ways to donate. First, you can send your tax-deductible donation directly to Dalit Solidarity via [email redacted] or use this GoFundMe page. You can also can drop off cash or a check at St. Bernard Parish or St. Bernard Catholic Academy, or you can give to Robert Bernhardt (Kaitlyn’s brother who is collecting) or finally, you can write a check payable to Dalit Solidarity and mail to P.O. Box 178995, San Diego, CA 92177

Suggested Donations:
$100 -fans, lights, brick work, painting
$250-windows, carpentry, 5 bags of cement
$350-plumbing, electricity
$500-gift of a computer, flooring
$1000-plaque in honor of a loved one to hang in classroom

Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt
Sweetkaitlynrose.com
12/20/2002-6/15/2018
#Forever15
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8 supporters

About Dalit Solidarity

MISSION STATEMENT We commit ourselves to work for the development of the dalits or the untouchables in the subcontinent of India. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for basic education, health care and development. We promote human dignity, human rights and social justice for all dalits regardless of age, religion and sex.

4038 Mt Abraham AveSan Diego, CA 92111

Find Dalit Solidarity at

Causes

Elementary education, Community health care, Human rights, Human services, International development

Established

2000

Tax ID

25-1865082

NTEE code

Primary/Elementary Schools

Dalit Solidarity is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 25-1865082. Donations are tax-deductible. Select content is provided by GuideStar.

Recent Donations

Prachi Sethi donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$508 mos
Anonymous donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$509 mos
Tushar Bhatia donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$259 mos
Prashant Jha donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$409 mos
Pratyush Prabhat donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$209 mos
Ravi Kumar donated to Support Rural Literacy Empowerment's first pilot in UP India
$209 mos
Fran Fallon donated to Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt Memorial High School
$5005 yrs
Anonymous donated to Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt Memorial High School
$505 yrs
Mackenzie Group Inc donated to Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt Memorial High School
$2,0005 yrs
Michael Patrizio donated to Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt Memorial High School
$255 yrs