Committed to Making a Difference
WHO WE ARE
Founded by Rhea Jain in 2019, Project Aman was established in order to provide orphans with the financial support towards a college education to enable them to reach their fullest potential. In March 2019, she personally visited Shaishav in Hisar, a small Indian town, to learn about the lives of the children and hear their hopes and dreams.
OUR HISTORY
"During a visit to New Delhi when I was younger, my dad and I were waiting in a car at a traffic light, when suddenly, children flooded the intersection. They cupped their hands, peering inside each vehicle with faces filled with desperation. I knew what they wanted, and asked if we could spare some coins. My dad said, 'No, don’t encourage them. Don’t look at them.' I obeyed and closed my eyes, but I could still hear their heartbreaking begging. I was so distraught, that later, my grandfather drove me back to the same spot with a handful of coins. It was because of this moment that I wanted to do something. After traveling to Shaishav Kunj, an orphanage supported by my family, I heard about the children's hopes and dreams. I felt a need to make it happen. I knew that the best way to help them was by supporting their education, because I truly believe that a good college education would be the thing to help them change their lives."
~ Rhea Jain
GET TO KNOW SHAISHAV KUNJ
Shaishav Kunj's founders wanted to effect positive change because they saw infants abandoned in boxes by the sides of the road, trash cans, and forests. They also saw small children wandering the streets begging for money. It originally welcomed all children, but now, is focused exclusively towards females because of an extremely high rate of female infanticide and abandonment. This, in turn, is caused by the dowry system.
The Dowry System
In India, when a man and a woman get married, the bride’s family gives goods, money, and property to the groom’s family. Therefore, when financially struggling families give birth to girls, they sometimes are unable to support them or don't want the "burden" of female children. As a result, they try to terminate female fetuses (which is unlawful in India) or abandon newborn girls. The problem is exacerbated by widespread poverty and illiteracy.
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WHO IS AMAN?
Aman is a 2-year-old boy who was born with a congenital disease that restricts him from moving his limbs. Because of his defect, his mother tried to sell him for 3,000 rupees (about $43). Shaishav Kunj intercepted the exchange and saved him. He is currently undergoing physical therapy to help him regain feelings in his limbs. Donate now to help secure quality college educations for children like Aman.
"The infant room is the first room I entered during my visit, and Aman was the first orphan I saw. Despite the fact that he has no mother or father, a practically useless body, and almost no reason to have any hope left, he smiled when I walked in that room. Somehow, in the midst of all his pain and loss, this little 2-year-old boy managed to conjure a little happiness. That is why I have decided to name this program Project Aman, after the bravest kid I’ve ever met. "