You’re just one person, there’s not much you can do in the global face of things, right? Well, no. United for Hope started with one passionate person putting everything she has into changing the lives of rural Indians. Join her, join us, in doing a little to make a big change.
Photo above: Tara McCartney and the children from Tirmasahun
We’d argue that making a small donation here, now, joining us at the beginning of our incredible journey, could be the most worthwhile and impactful thing you’ll ever do.
The world is imbalanced. Around the globe, there are huge disparities across food and nutrition, clean water and good sanitation, health and education: the things that many of us take for granted are often out of reach in places like rural India.
All are the building blocks of family and community. They are our sustenance and our springboards to being our best selves.
All we’re doing here at United for Hope is redressing the balance.
It is a big challenge, but one that we can overcome if we work together.
In the last 12 months, United for Hope has
built sustainable toilets for 50 families. This year, we’ll make sure the whole village has access to a toilet. We installed solar lamps along the main street to make a safer environment and gave many families solar lights – a much safer alternative to kerosene lamps. We recruited 2 additional teachers, plastered and painted classrooms and provided functioning toilets for 400 children.
Photo above: one of the many families who now have their own toilet.
We have also drilled for water, boring 120ft to find a clean, sustainable source for the entire community.
And we have done all of this in full consultation with the community, encouraging villagers to take ownership of decision-making and contributing financially.
You could say it’s been an education. Which is why we’re now focused on building a community centre that will really revolutionise the future of Tirmasahun.
We’ve done all this in our first year, with little funds, a collaborative approach, a committed leadership and a small army of professional volunteers across Europe and India.
Photo: Global Handwashing Day
The Community Centre and all associated development work will be the first of many projects across rural India, providing the blueprint that will break the cycle of poverty and educate children and adults to dare to dream of a better life.
And in that context, we’ll continue to manage a project of works that aims to meet the wide variety of needs that come with holistic development. And we are succeeding.
We’re emboldened by what we’ve achieved to date and we won’t stop until we do much, much more. We’re realising that the more we do, the more we can do and we’re making great strides - often with very little financial input.
What we do really well is making a small amount of money go further to make the biggest impact.
So you can be confident your contribution, however small, will make a huge difference.
The project will be carried out between March and September 2015.
The new Learning and Resource Centre will offer:
• After school tuition program
• English & computer lessons for children
• Women’s health, hygiene & empowerment classes
• Drop in centre for government-related issues and programs
• Community meeting point
• Teacher training programs
• Adult vocational and educational training
Photo Above: Architectural plans of our community center
Our Centre will be at the heart of a strong community: a place to host community events, a citizen's advice centre, health clinics and much more.
The Centre will have a deep water well on-site and be independent from the unreliable electricity grid via its own solar-powered energy system.
The total cost of work is 50,000 Euros.
With fundraising, we’ve secured the first 10,000 Euros toward construction and hope to raise 10,000 more
The additional 30,000 Euros will be crowdfunded in two phases:
Reaching our goal of 15,000 Euros will allow us to cover the most essential costs of the project, to include:
• Leveling the ground, and creating solid foundations
• Basic construction of a two-story building including supplies and labour
The final goal of 15,000 Euros will allow us to:
•Finish building, including fixtures and fitting
• Sanitation facilities for students and guests
Photo above: The wall for the community center has already begun.
Tara McCartney is an Irish girl living in Germany whose heart belongs to India. Just over one year ago, she decided to ditch her comfortable corporate job to put her skills and knowledge to much better use. Like many people, she knows firsthand the issues people in rural India face. Unlike many people, she can see what she can do about it. Tara is a hands on person who refuses to take no for an answer. Where other people see problems first and get lost in the endless debate on the pros and cons, Tara gets stuck in and gets things done. She has inspired an ever growing team of volunteers to contribute whatever they can and continues to work doggedly on the ground to overcome entrenched views and encourage collaboration - the vital key to making progress efficiently and effectively.
Tara and the team have already achieved so much, you can be assured that your contribution will be put to good use where it is needed most.
You can find out more about United for Hope, achievements so far and our incredible ambitions at www.unitedforhope.org