The population of India is slated to overtake that of China by 2030. Mumbai, with 14,000,000 inhabitants, is one of the world’s most populous cities, and it’s growing rapidly. It’s estimated that half of the people there live in poverty. Walking the streets of the major cities is all too often heartbreaking as you witness the affects of poverty and the human behavior it creates. Desperate fathers abuse their children in broad daylight unchallenged by fear struck mothers. Hungry children are sent out by their parents to tug at the cities coat-tails. Your heart screams to give but you can’t as it feeds into a corrosive chain as these children are denied an education in order to beg. Without an education, this cycle will continue to repeat itself. Something must be done.

I’ve done research and found a few reputable NGOs and NPOs that are working to provide quality education and fight poverty both in India and beyond. I’ve made a small donation. If you have anything to spare please visit the links below and give whatever you can. It will make a difference.

Akanksha Foundation-  http://www.akanksha.org- long standing NGO founded by a young Indian girl providing a comprehensive education to children from the slums of Mumbai

Situational Management & Inter-Learning Establishment Society (SMILE)-

http://smilengo.org - makes myriad contributions to the poor of Kolkata and other areas of India through education, medical services, etc.

Institute for Indian Mother and Child (IIMC)- http://iimcmissioncal.org -helping the poorest women and children in and around Kolkata through educational programs, micro-finance opportunities, and providing mobile and stationary free medical clinics