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Would You #Donate for a Boy’s #Education via @projectwhy ? #WATWB

We are the World BlogfestTo spread peace and humanity on social media, a few of us have worked together to create the We are the World Blogfest. In a world where news and social media are awash with negativity, we aim to turn the focus on to small but significant stories that renew our faith in humanity.

We are the World Blogfest is here with its twelfth edition. We started this blogfest in March 2017, and barring December, participants have posted heartwarming stories each month.

The cohosts for the March 2018 WATWB are: Belinda WitzenhausenSylvia McGrath, Sylvia Stein  Shilpa Garg, Eric Lahti
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In the spirit of “In Darkness, Be Light,” I’d like to share the story of Yash from Project Why, who I wrote about here.

Yash landed on Project Why when he was barely two weeks old, born out of wedlock to parents of different faith. Such children are often ‘branded’ for life in India and his future looked bleak. Chances at any normalcy were non-existent as both his parents were married to other people. There were recriminations and even violence. The child watched it all.

A solution was found in adoption: he would be taken to another land where his past would not weigh on him. That was the time a couple from outside the country was visiting Project Why and enquired about the possibility of adopting an Indian child. Introductions were made and went very well!  The adoption procedure began, but it went on forever. The prospective parents visited often and little Yash was plied with gifts and smothered with love. Everyone was waiting for the day when the toddler would leave for his new home.

Damyanti Biswas covers the Nonprofit Project why based in New Delhi India, for her A to Z Blogging Challenge in April 2016The legal case took longer than expected and the child changed from a cuddly baby to a little boy with his own character and temperament. And by the time the case finally concluded in favor of the adoptive parents, a lot had changed. The parents had adopted another baby in their own land. And this little boy still needed a passport to leave his birth land and join his new family.

There was still a lot of red tape to be faced and egos to be appeased. The adoption agency refused to give the required clearance in spite of a court order. The ‘would be’ parents lost interest and the little boy’s future was again in jeopardy.

Project Why Non Profit YashThe change of attitude and then the virtual silence of the adoptive parents and the lack of information from the administration made Project Why come to terms with the fact that they were back to square one, the only difference being that Yash was no longer a baby but a three-year-old boy.

It seemed that no one had a roadmap for Yash so Project Why decided to craft one for him. After the adoption fiasco it was Project Why that ‘adopted’ him. He was a student of the crèche and then was moved to a neighborhood school but more had to be done. Education was his only savior. Project Why decided to send him to Boarding school. He is now in Year VII, and doing very well.

But the fates have conspired against Yash once again: Project Why is scrambling to find funds to keep him in school.

project why WATWBI’m not able to individually support him for the entire amount, though I hope to do my bit in the coming week. This is a call for help–every little bit will help Yash stay in school. The details for donations are in the picture here, but if you need another method, please contact Project Why or Anouradha Bakshi at: [email protected] or [email protected]. You can donate via local transfer from the USA, UK, Germany and France, the details are HERE.

I’ve worked with Project Why and Anouradha Bakshi for a long while, and can absolutely vouch for both.

If you’d like to take part in this blogfest, sign up in the WE ARE THE WORLD Blogfest Linky List below and please help spread the word on social media via the hashtag #WATWB.

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 The We are The World Blogfest Community Page on Facebook will continue to show links to the various blog posts. So you don’t have to hurry through. You can always enjoy one a day. Like the page and share your posts on the thread for the purpose.

Would you donate towards Yash’s education via Project Why? Every rupee or dollar would go a long way towards ensuring that Yash stays in the school where he is flourishing right now.

We Are the World BlogfestPlease join Daily (w)rite on its Facebook Page in case you’d like to be heard by this community (Click on See First).

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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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22 Comments

  • This is wonderful work you support. Finally got there and send a very small contribution.

  • It kills me that the courts and the country would prevent a young child from entering into a loving family. If I could, I’d bring that little boy into my home.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for your comment, Crystal. He does need a loving family–and at the moment he’s being ousted out of the school that was his only home for 8 years.

  • simonfalk28 says:

    So sad for Yash and Project Why that this keeps blocking them. I hope they get the needed support. Thanks for sharing this, Damyanti, and for all you do for our WATWB. 🙂

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Simon, and thanks for your comment. I hope a few contributions will come in through the people who read this post.

  • Shailaja V says:

    Heartbreaking story, Damyanti. I will do my bit by spreading the word on social media. Hope Yash gets the help he deserves. Such a sweet looking boy! More power to Project Why for doing this so tirelessly.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Shailaja. Be wonderful if your widespread influence on social media could help this little guy a bit.

  • My wife used to manage the funds of several charities that sent funds into India for education of children when we lived there and we still make our contribution each week. I can confirm there is a great need for this support and recommend to those not already making a contribution it would be a worthwhile project.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for chiming in, Ian. I support this cause with all my heart, and I hope this boy will find the help he deserves.

  • Gina Hunter says:

    Ugh, bureaucracy! It saddens me that the original couple lost interest. How could someone lose interest in another human being they’ve committed to in that way? But I’m glad that Project Why stepped in and provided some support and help. Thanks for sharing this story, and I hope the donations roll in!

  • bikerchick57 says:

    I hope that Project Why receives enough donations to keep Yash in school. He deserves to have an education and bright future.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Mary. Please consider sending in a little to help him out, if possible.

  • pjlazos says:

    Another case of the legal system working against itself. Thank goodness that Project Why was able to help and I will do my part as well. Thanks, Damyanti for spreading this news.

  • Susan Scott says:

    I hope that donations however small help to keep Yash at school and that one day he finds a loving home. Thanks for highlighting this Damyanti – I’ll see what I can do ..

  • hilarymb says:

    Hi Damyanti – oh I do hope Yash can be supported – I know Project Why is an amazing organisation … thanks for sharing with us – Hilary

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Hilary. Project why is indeed amazing, and deserving of all the support we can give it.

  • That’s sad the adoption process lagged and then stalled. Red tape is so evil.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      It is. Let us hope Yash can beat it, and find the life he deserves.