| |
|
|
| Home > What We Do > India > KIRF Bodhgaya |
 |
| NEWS |
Grant awarded for new KIRF Educational Center in Bihar, India
 KIRF Bodhgaya has generously received a $5,000 grant from The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation based in Los Angeles, Califorania. This grant will pay for the construction of a new KIRF educational center in Bihar, India. Bihar is the poorest state in India where farm workers make about 55¢ a day (20 Indian rupees) according to Diane Kirwin. The new educational center will be the first permanent school available to the poorest children in the area.
KIRF Bodhgaya must raise approximately $20,000 more to purchase a parcel of land in a safe and hospitable place and for the construction of the school. The future facility and land will service 9 villages and serve 4 major purposes: educational facility, community center, medical clinic and community orchard. The facility will be the first of its kind in this rural area.
More information about KIRF Bodhgaya's new permanent educational center >
School Scholarship Program for poorest children in Bihar
 There two girls are just like many girls and boys who want to get an education but can not. To enable a child of the poorest castes to attend school and learn to read and write requires funds. KIRF Bodhgaya's Educational Centers serve children of families who can not afford to pay their school fees. By becoming a school sponsor, you will enable young girls and boys get an education that will give them a chance to excape poverty and iliteracy for a happier and more productive life.
Our School Scholarship Program provides for teachers' salaries, school supplies and regular health examinations for the children being educated in KIRF Bodhgaya Educational Centers.
To support more children getting an education through KIRF Bodhgaya's School Sponsorship Program you can become a sponsor and receive regular updates about the children. Click here for more information about School Scholarships Program >
Medical Sponsorships for poorest children in Bihar
 KIRF Bodhgaya has helped facilitate medical treatment for dozens of children who have suffered from afflictions like cleft lip, club feet, heart defects and other serious medical ailments.
Our Medical Sponsorships provides for medicine, care and transportation for children with serious injuries or ilnness. It also pays for regular health examinations for the children being educated in KIRF Bodhgaya KIRF Bodhgaya's Educational Centers.
To become a sponsor and receive regular updates about the children helped please. Click here for more information about Medical Sponsorships >
Collaboration with other Organizations
In addition to IHC, KIRF Bohgaya works in collaboration with the Root Institute for the medical treatment of villagers. Our staff routinely facilitates the transportation of doctors, medical supplies and patients to and from the villages.
Photos above: Diane L. Kirwin, LCSWII
Mt. Everest Climber Laurie Bagley's Climb for the Children
 |
| Laurie Bagley on the summit of Mt. Everest. Photo: Scott Woolums |
Mountaineer and former adventure racer Laurie Bagley chose KIRF Bodhgaya (formerly Diane Kirwin's Priviledge Sharing) as the beneficiary non-profit for her fundraising and Mt. Everest mountaineering challange called Climb for the Children. On May 25, 2006 at 7:05am Laurie's dream of summiting the tallest peak in the world, Mt. Everest while helping others, became a reality. Laurie was motivated to combine her Mt. Everest attempt with raising money for the poorest children in Bodhgaya, India this way. “This climb is about making a difference, using my passion for climbing to help those children who are born into their current situation; they deserve choices and a way to change their current path,” she said.
You can read more about Laurie's experience climbing Mt. Everest from the article in the Redding Record Searchlight on June 25th by clicking here.
Check out Laurie Bagley's Climb for the Children fundraising campaign to benefit KIRF Bodhgaya's projects in Bihar >
Check out photos of Laurie Bagley's successful Mt. Everest summit on May 25, 2006 to raise money for the children of Bodhgaya >
Laurie Bagley and Diane Kirwin in Mt. Shasta, CA.
Photo: Mike Karseboom
|
| founder of KIRF Bodhgaya : diane L. Kirwin, LCSwii |
 The Kirwin International Relief Foundation Bodhgaya Indian Charitable Trust (KIRF Bodhgaya ) is a charitable trust established by Diane L. Kirwin, LCSWII. She is the mother of KIRF founder Mark Kirwin and is an inspiration for many of KIRF's humanitarian projects. KIRF Bodhgaya is a registered Indian non-profit with a board of trustees comprised of local Indians and a permanent office in Bodhgaya.
Diane has been involved with helping the the poorest people (members of the dhalit or Untouchables caste) in the state of Bihar in northern India since 2002. Through her fundraising and passionate support of these resiliant people she has been able build and open the first school available to these children in the area through a non-profit called "Privilege-Sharing" in 2004. Since then she has has sponsored many sugeries to correct birth defects caused by chronic malnutrition like cleft lip and club foot and treatment for emergency care. She has brought over school supplies, school uniforms, donated medical supplies, educational toys, blankets and warm clothing donated by Patagonia. In 2005 she formed the non-profit KIRF Bodhgaya with a board of Indian trustees.
 KIRF Bodhgaya is currently supporting more informal schools in remote villages and, so far, Kirwin International Relief Foundation Educational Centers serve approximately 450 children. Funds are being raised for the construction of a new educational center in a remote and impoverished rural area next year.
These schools provide academic education as well as health services, a food program and family planning for the older students in an environment of love and dignity. KIRF Bodhgaya continues to sponsor promising and needy students as well offer to pay for emergency medical care and surgeries.
To support education for children who have no other schooling available to them other than at a KIRF Educational Center and to become a School Sponsor please make an online donation of $50 or more to KIRF Bodhgaya by clicking here.
Read more about Diane Kirwin:
Please click here to read Diane Kirwin's blog KIRF Bodhgaya.
Before Diane Kirwin founded KIRF Bodhgaya she supported the non-profit humanitarian and sustainable development non-profit IHC Privilege-Sharing in Bodhgaya. Click here to read about the Privilege-Sharing school her efforts built and the free medical, conservation and nutritional programs she has supported.
Local staff of KIRF Bodhgaya
KIRF Bodhigaya presently has 8 teachers, 1 supervisor and 1 driver to service its 4 temporary education centers. The rest of the project is run by volunteers.
KIRF Bodhgaya Board of Directors
- Mr. Priye Ranjan, President
- Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Secretary
- Diane L. Kirwin, Founder and Co-Director
- Mark Kirwin, Co-Director
|
|
|
|
| back to top |
Home | Privacy Policy | Member of IHC | Contact Us
© 2005–2008 Kirwin International Relief Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
