The Omprakash Foundation

-In October, 2007, we donated $8,804.70 to Project Why to cover all expenses for one year at two of its primary schools in the slums of New Delhi: the Okhla school and the Sanjay Colony school. A total of 177 students attend these two schools.

-In November, 2007, we donated $6,000 to support Project Why´s new Women´s Center. This donation covered all operating costs for six months.

-In July, 2008, Project Why received over 20,000 children’s books (223 boxes) as part of Omprakash Foundation’s book-distribution project. These books– along with shelves and trunks also donated by Omprakash– allowed Project Why to establish two separate community libraries and provide a trunk full of books to each of its slum schools. Additional books have been set aside so that a third library can be established at Planet Why upon its inauguration.  Learn more about the 2008 India Book Distribution Project>>

-In July, 2008, Omprakash donated $15,000 to enable Project Why to continue paying classroom rent,teacher salaries, and other operating costs as resources and energy begin shifting towards establishing Planet Why and increasing sustainability. One-third of this donation was made possible by Microsoft, Inc., as part of its matching-grant program. Learn more about the Project Why budget>>

Read about Omprakash Foundation in the Project Why blog: http://projectwhy.blogspot.com/2008/06/no-big-deal.html; http://projectwhy.blogspot.com/2008/07/room-without-books.html; http://projectwhy.blogspot.com/2008/09/few-of-their-favourite-things.html

-In January, 2009, earmarked donations from Indiana helped us contribute $1000 towards Project Why’s continuing efforts.  A portion of this money was used to pay for the construction of a new library building (see photo above) where Project Why can store and distribute books received during our 2008 Book Distribution.

Need for Volunteers

Project Why constantly needs volunteers to help with its ever-expanding number of initiatives. Prospective volunteers should be aware that this experience will be physically and psychologically challenging. The heat, pollution, and traffic in New Delhi can be difficult, and volunteers will be asked to work in areas that are far from glamorous. Volunteers are encouraged to communicate extensively with Project Why administrators before arriving so that they can begin to formulate teaching strategies and objectives. Volunteers might find themselves engaged in activities ranging from teaching art to caring for children in the Foster Center, but they should especially be prepared to teach English. Project Why teachers and students often speak limited English, so volunteers are encouraged to learn some basic Hindi before arriving or at least possess a good English-Hindi dictionary. With proper preparation, creativity, flexibility, and determination, volunteers will find that Project Why students are eager and able to improve their English skills.

Need for Material Resources

Anybody passing through New Delhi can deliver books, medical supplies, clothes, or children´s toys to Project Why– all of these resources are greatly needed!

Read Project Why Fundraising Report>>

In addition, Project Why is always seeking funds to further its activities. Visit http://projectwhy.org/expenses.htm to learn about the monthly costs of Project Why´s different primary and secondary schools, or download the current budget. The text below indicates some monthly and annual costs of Project Why´s schools and Women´s Center, as well as its latest initiative, Planet Why.