• We work through dedicated local staff who stand out as respected representatives of the regions where Barakat programs are housed. Barakat programs in India are run by local people whose lives and livelihoods are based in the region. They understand and are able to maximize their knowledge of local culture and tradition. It goes, almost without saying, that they are fluent in Hindi as well as the local dialect of the region.

• Barakat works as an integrated whole with few breaks in communication - either physical or cultural. Channels of communication between Barakat staff in Bhadohi, India and staff in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA are always open - not only because Barakat's Program Director is from Uttar Pradesh, India and fluent in the local language, but also because this is an essential part of Barakat's work philosophy.

• Barakat projects are the raison d'être for our existence - we will support them from inception through their lifetime. India is a country where the growing population has needs that must be met by the government, private and non-profit sector together. In India, no one sector can single-handedly meet the needs of the people. Education is an area where the demand is immense. Barakat's work will continue in India as long as there is a need for it, and our projects will continue to recieve our support.
  

The press of people of all economic strata crowd together on the busy streets of Bhadohi.

India's growing population poses major challenges for sustained human resource development

In India Barakat's educational work for women and children is a response to the demand of eager but financially disadvantaged parents for a free, quality education for their children. Not only does it allow them to send their child to school, it also provides them with a constructive alternative to putting their child to work on the carpets that are manufactured in the area.

Barakat India is housed in the carpet making capital of India and the issue of abusive child labor is a reality in the region. However, Bhadohi is a city of extreme wealth and poverty. Poor parents will put their children to work in their own trade if they cannot afford to send them to school, or if they consider the quality of education in the school to be very poor, as is the case with government schools in the region.

This is the juncture at which Barakat steps in with schools that are both free as well as providing good quality education. Parents send their children to us because they choose the alternative of good schools over child labor.

We run the following educational initiatives in India:

• Barakat Qazipur School
• Care and Fair Barakat School
• Women's Empowerment Program

Reciting a poem at Barakat Qazipur School

Malaria is one of the greatest threats to health and economic welfare in India; and yet, it is one of the most preventable epidemics. In 2006, India had an estimated 10.6 million known malaria cases. Malaria causes fatigue, fainting, convulsions, flu-like symptoms, and sometimes death, These symptoms keep students from achieving their best, and leave adults unable to support their families. By preventing malaria, we can enable people to be more productive and help them take steps towards a better standard of living. For more about malaria, see: About Malaria