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A good few years back (then carefree students!) Mark and Joey Owen spent some time travelling in Northern India and were fortunate to meet up some amazing people. They were particularly struck by the massive difference an education had made to a family of 3 brothers all from the small village of Jispa in the remote valley of Lahoul. Their mother had been lucky enough to obtain the funds for an education for her sons at the nearest school (a 2 day trek from their home) and as a result all 3 were able to support themselves, and their wider family, and lived a fairly prosperous life as an engineer, a tax officer, and one going on to become the deputy commissioner of police in New Delhi! From their beginnings as farm labourers in an uncertain economic climate without enough money to buy adequate food and housing, they had been able to work their way out of poverty and into stable and fulfilling lives.
 
After further investigation Mark and Joey realised that a full school education cost surprisingly little, the equivalent of around £10 a month. Equipped with this information they returned to England hoping that they could raise enough cash to offer the same opportunities these 3 brothers had had to many more children.And so Freedom to Learn was born.

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Freedom to Learn sponsors individual children as well as supporting partner organisations in providing education to children and young people, mainly from 'scheduled' castes and tribes (previously known as 'depressed classes' by the British). The children we are currently working with come from some of the poorest regions of the Indian Himalayas. They are often discriminated against socially and professionally even though this kind of prejudice is illegal under Indian government legislation.
 
Attempts to integrate these communities into mainstream Indian society and the state education system have brought with it many problems. The enforcement of policies such as positive discrimination have often been insensitive to the religious and cultural identities of the communities in these areas and resulted in cultural denigration. We always work with non-profit organisations such as the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Organisation who not only provide the opportunity of excellent education, preparing the children and young people for competing in mainstream Indian society, but will also value and nurture their indigenous cultural and religious heritage.

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As well as supporting individual children and ensuring they receive the best education available, Freedom to learn also aims to offer support to organisations and NGO's based in India which share our goals and working ethos. The Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association (HBCA) is one such organisation which runs several boarding schools for children from remote areas of the Himalayas.
 
For the last few years they have been trying to raise funds to build a purpose built school in the Kullu Valley at a place called Pandrah Mill (literary 'fifteen miles'). The present school in this area is a dilapidated building with no proper dormitory facilities or wash rooms. The new school will allow over 400 children to board during the term time and provide excellent educational and recreational facilities, which can make a massive difference to the child and their families future: the difference between living below the poverty and above it and beyond.

There are a number of ways in which individuals or organisations can help towards giving a child the freedom to learn:

• Give a one off donation of your choice.
• On a long term commitment of £10 per month for ten years. (£1200 for a full education)
• Shared sponsorship of a child; a monthly donation at your own discretion.

When you sponsor a child, you will receive a regular update on FTL's progress, and it is also possible to personally correspond with the child and their family, please ask us more about how to do this when you enquire about sponsorship. Corporate donations and sponsorship can be an excellent way of supporting a good cause and can be offset with tax relief. This principle applies whether it is a one off payment or a regular Gift Aid Scheme.