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Will You help Kids in Need? #atozchallenge

Children of ProjectWhy

Blogging for social change has been one of the sparks behind Daily (w)rite. Earlier, I’ve written about my work with the nonprofit Project Why, its founder Anouradha Bakshi, and the wonderful work she does to empower slum dwellers.

Project Why works with the slum children and women from within the slums by empowering the slum community. Some of the teachers were once maids, who got an education at the Pwhy, and are now teaching the kids from the slums. Others are helping to manage the project and run it. Yet others work as drivers, who ferry the kids and teachers from one learning center to the other. A Project Why team member’s family helps cook the midday meal for the crèche kids. Most of the education given to about a 1000 kids from crèche  to secondary levels is free, as are the courses on sewing, and other skills for women. One of the schools is literally situated in the middle of a dustbin, because that’s where a majority of the kids who attend it, live.

Visiting this school, as I did this January, is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. To be with Project Why is to want to help: you can’t look at those smiling faces without wanting to spread the love.

Social justice, women's issues and child welfare will be part of A to Z Challenge theme

Project Why: Theme for A to Z Challenge

So for the month of April, I’m taking a hiatus from writing about fiction, and talking to you all about Project Why instead (and hopefully helping support Project Why and a few deserving kids in the process). This is my THEME for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. To try and shine the spotlight on a few remarkable people from the slums and those from the other side of the divide reaching out to help.

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Co-host ramble: As a cohost of the A to Z challenge, in case you’re not participating already, I have tell you what the Blogging from A to Z Challenge is. Here’s a working definition: a mammoth blog hop with nearly 1300 participants last I checked: it is about blogging 26 days in April, with or without a theme. This will be my 4th year co-hosting and fifth year participating, so wish me luck!

And if you haven’t signed up, you ought do rush over and fix that rightaway!

Will you support this small organisation with a big heart by listening to its stories through April? Do you think talking about social evils is a good way to bring attention to them, to discuss what you can do to help? As a reader of this blog, would you want me to cover a particular aspect of social justice in India? Are you looking forward to have fun with the A to Z Challenge? Are you ready to smile at the antics from the kids of Project why?

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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50 Comments

  • Damyanti, that’s a great theme. I’ve loved the little I’ve read about Project Why and look forward to learning more about it in April.

  • That is a great theme for your A-Z challenge. It will be great to learn more about Project Why.

  • macjam47 says:

    Hi Damyanti. I won’t be participating in the A-Z this year as I am swamped, but I will definitely be following your posts. Best wishes and big hugs.

  • I understand why you are so passionate about the project.

  • jlennidorner says:

    J here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge – where I am part of Arlee Bird’s A to Z Ambassador Team.
    Excellent choice for an A to Z challenge theme. Good job. My theme is the craft of fiction writing. Tips, lessons, and prompts from various writing reference books. I follow it up with a sample of my work.
    Your theme is really fantastic. It’s great of you to help by blogging. BRAVO!!!
    April should be exciting. I’m looking forward to the event. Best of luck to us both on meeting our goals of posting and hopping to other blogs.
    My blog has a giveaway. There’s a bonus a to z challenge each day to encourage people to visit more stops.

    The goodreads icon on your right sidebar widget goes to the main site, not to you or any way to connect to you.

  • Bravo! I look forward to reading more about it.

  • Indywrites says:

    I think you have chosen well, even though I will miss your fiction posts for AtoZ. I think this is a perfect platform for spreading awareness and helping the kids. I know they will benefit from their voice being heard the world over. All the best.

  • John Holton says:

    Should be an interesting month!

    John Holton
    Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    The Sound of One Hand Typing

  • Amazing topic to write on! I’m glad such interesting, honest and creative projects help eradicate many such social issues of India. Glad to see some one working towards it and that too a blogger. Great going! Wonderful post!

    Have a look at my latest blog too and share your views.

  • Great topic. It will give you a chance to share your experiences and teach people about social concerns. I look forward to learning more from your posts during the month of April.
    Thanks for visiting my blog. Mary at Play off the Page

  • Betty says:

    This sounds like a great theme to educate people and make them aware. Good luck with it!

    betty

  • rationalraj2000 says:

    Your choice of topic for the challenge is cerainly different- Kudos.Looking forward to read heart warming stories of triumph and success.Hope they focus on “what is wanted”rather than “What is not wanted”in the lives of the people….

  • magiceye says:

    Bravo Damayanti!!

  • So much poverty and heartache in the world isn’t there. Good for you doing your part to help as much as you can.

  • JEN says:

    I am soooo looking forward to this April. What a great way to affect change… blogging about a social cause!

  • Love your choice of theme, Damyanti. Shining a light on issues and people and raising consciousness and hopefully funds is a fantastic way to make this challenge meaningful.

  • Miss Andi says:

    I’m really looking forward to your posts about this project, what a wonderful thing to do! I think we all need to know about the amazing efforts that are happening all around the world and not focus on the bad news. I applaud your choice Damyanti!

  • hilarymb says:

    Hi Damyanti – sorry been waiting in the wings to have some time to be able to write a ‘decent’ comment … I think this is a wonderful idea. It’ll be great to read snippets of info about your visit and the charity itself: Project Why – and the kids and women in need.

    What a great small charity and they will definitely benefit from our support and love during the A-Z challenge …

    I still miss Tina … perhaps next year I’ll be over and join up with you – I need the space this year … cheers and I will definitely be there each day … Hilary

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hilary, each April is hard for me, I keep thinking of sunflowers. DO join me next time– will be lovely to have you.

      I’m hoping to do the best I can with Project Why: the blogging community is kind and generous, and I hope to win some of their support for this wonderful, wonderful nonprofit.

  • I look forward to learning more about this organisation’s work – great theme!

  • Kala Ravi says:

    A heart-warming theme with a cause! Love it! Stay blessed and cheers to D company for the fab job you guys are doing 🙂

  • This is an awesome theme! 🙂
    Educational…close to your heart…and a great way to shine the spotlight on such a worthy cause!

  • Vidya Sury says:

    Beautiful, just beautiful. I am so happy you chose this theme, Damyanti. What a wonderful topic! Yay! for Team Damyanti!

  • Debbie D. says:

    What a great way to publicize this worthy cause! I’m looking forward to learning more.Enjoy the challenge.

  • Me Otherwise says:

    Excellent Damyanti. Would definately be part of this cause and support it through april!

  • Birgit says:

    This is a great theme and very noble one at that. I will look forward to these posts and will look forward to being enlightened

    • Birgit, it has very little to do with nobility and everything to do with these kids and the joy they bring. Thanks for sharing in my journey.

  • Absolutely brilliant, Damyanti! We’ll be perking up to listen and find out how best to help. Yes, these projects need the spotlight — and you’re an awesome human being for caring so much. Brava!
    Guilie @ Life In Dogs

    P.S. — Huzzah for D’s Company

    • Blessed to have you in D’s company. Not sure what I’d do without you guys.

      This project is close to my heart and I want to share them with the world!

  • Having a theme like this is very noble, and of course, all of the readers will surely want to know more about Project Why through your 26 stories!

    All the best for the challenge 🙂

    • Mithila welcome to my blog! It’s got nothing to do with nobility: everyone who goes to Projectwhy falls in abiding love. There’s a magic about that place.

  • This is a wonderful theme for the A to Z Challenge, Damyanti. I look forward to reading more about Project Why. I contribute to charities and support a boys’ home in my community.

  • randommusings29 says:

    I love that you are combining the challenge with raising awareness of such a good cause! Good luck and I hope to run into you through April 🙂
    Debbie

  • aby says:

    Great idea and good on you

  • TanGental says:

    I’ll be there both reading here and blogging mine!

  • greyzoned/angelsbark says:

    What a great selfless theme! I am looking forward to reading all about the organization and the communities that they help.

    Michele at Angels Bark

  • I love the #Challenge, my 4th year, and this Theme reveal blog visiting opportunity is a great warm up to April. I know you will have loads of folks joining you with this interesting theme. Blessing on the endeavor.

  • jazzfeathers says:

    This is truly a wonderful theme. People have always so much to teach and to share.
    Can’t wait to read your posts 🙂

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter – Jazz Age Jazz

  • What a wonderful theme for the month. Kudos to you, using your talent and your blog to bring attention to this wonderful cause.

  • cleemckenzie says:

    This is a great time to call attention to such a worthy cause. I look forward to this!

  • WriterlySam says:

    Amazing theme and worthy cause! Count me in!

  • thefroglady says:

    This is an awesome idea! I love it. i can’t wait to read your posts!

  • Parul Thakur says:

    Lovely theme and social blogging is our responsibility as bloggers. So glad you are writing about this. I will be around for sure.

  • It’s a great idea, I hope the challenge helps you spread the word and brings in the support you need!

  • That’s inspirational! As someone who does not live in India (but visits often), it would be great to see the spotlight on the reality of social justice and human rights in the country as compared to the perceptions in the wider world, which are more negative than the reality, as far as I can see.

  • Rick says:

    I do in many ways..they are the future no matter who they are.

  • Now that’s a great angle to take for the Challenge.

  • rolandclarke says:

    Going to be fascinated by your post Damyanti. Chose India as one of the locations for my WIP as my impressions of the whole sub-continent were very complex and rich. Wonder how many social justice issues will be addressed in the near future, including abuse of young women/girls.

  • Will do read with enthusiasm, good cause must be supported and they are the real champs.

  • Thank you Damyanti. We at project why are blessed to have you as your special and loved mentor. We love you