We held a fantastic fund raising event in early December, the generous guests, great food, camaraderie and a wonderful entertainment program enabled us to raise good funds.

As the year comes to a close we'd like to put out an appeal for your donations, please download and share our appeal flyer:

DONATE ONLINE - THANK YOU!

We're proud to share the Foundation for Freedom Annual Report 2011, click below to download as a PDF:

Download PDF (14mb)

Join us for our "Celebrate for Literacy" Annual Benefit Evening!

When? 6pm Sunday December 4th, 2011

Where? New Delhi Restaurant, 160 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

What? Dinner, Entertainment, Good Friends, Great Cause!

• 6pm - Social Hour
• 7pm - Dinner
• 8pm - Entertainment

RSVP by November 25, 2011 to Sakti Das, sakti@saktidas.com or call (925) 639 5707

Tickets

• Students - $35
• General - $100
• Table for ten - $1000

A report from Milaan, our local NGO partner, on the progress at the Swarachna School, Uttar Pradesh, India:

Utilization of Funds from Foundation for Freedom [PDF]

"Completion report and a thank you note" - General Secretary, Milaan Be The Change

Introduction

Milaan started its journey in 2007 from Kantain Village, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, where we initiated the Swarachna Project with only 10 students and one volunteer teacher. On that journey, we have had our share of good times and not so good times. But our perseverance has never wavered and we have gone from strength to strength.

Along the way we have found steadfast friends who have helped us in immeasurable ways not only to grow but also to better understand our own beliefs, and causes, and therefore to better serve them. Foundation for Freedom has been amongst the foremost of these and we are proud indeed to have their continual support in almost all our endevours.

Funding Support and Utilization

In January of 2010, we submitted a proposal to the Foundation for Freedom requesting support towards increasing the accessibility of quality education in Sitapur. Our partnership with Foundation for Freedom began with financial support to the amount of $ 10200. Of this amount $ 8500 was used for the construction of new classrooms, toilets and a boundary wall for the Swarachna Learning and Resource Centre.

These classrooms are being used to teach children from class 5th to class 10th. The remaining $ 1700 was utilized for purchasing school books and study materials for the students of the centre.

Some wonderful pictures of the new uniforms at Zahir Uddin Gono Vidyapith, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Click to see more...

Daulotabad is one of the most impoverished amongst the cluster of villages in Gazipur area about 60 kilometers south of the metropolis of Kolkata in India. Vast majority of the population in this village are uneducated Muslims. Their own lack of education coupled with chronic poverty make them less interested in the education of their off springs.

About 244 students at age range of 6 to 11 including 48% female students attend this school. This year with funding from Foundation for Freedom, the school has been completely refurbished with cemented walls, floors, new windows, doors, furniture and toilets. The children are happy and excited to come to school in their new uniforms provided by our foundation.

Read more and see pictures of the renovation...

We have a new page in our 'Schools' section all about Dayarampur School in Kulpi District, West Bengal, India:

http://f4freedom.org/schools/india/dayarampur-school

It is heartening to see that our work towards promoting literacy in the developing world continues unabated in spite of the economy in such unprecedented calamity, and unemployment at perilous level. We owe our special thanks to our friends and sponsors for their generous help allowing us to continue on our mission.

Winter 2010 Flood Mansion Fundraiser

Our winter fundraising event at the Flood mansion in San Francisco was a spectacular success.

Niall Batson with his marketing expertise, dedication, and organization pulled off an impeccable event with our largest attendance so far. He was helped by our fundraising chair person, Jennifer Cates, and many eager board members and volunteers.

About 150 guests regaled in the opulent ambience, browsing the school display boards enjoying the delectable wine and food. We all appreciated the music by Echo Falls and Gee Chi Blues, and the beautiful contemporary dance numbers by Shailvi and Sumoha.

The evening ended with presentations by Niall, Lejla and Sakti about our schools and literacy projects.

5 New Schools!

In 2010, we have added the following 5 schools bringing the total to 19 schools under the umbrella of Foundation for Freedom. Read more

This year, Foundation for Freedom launched Project Lift Up, an initiative to help selected students with monthly financial and educational assistance.

The children that have been part of Project Lift Up are happy and blossoming in their studies. Remember, it only takes $20 a month to empower a girl with higher education through Project Lift Up.

Please visit the Project Lift Up page...