Partnering for a Purpose: Supporting Education in Jaipur

The school, Sneh Girls Shikshan Sansthan (SGSS), is committed to offering free, quality education in a secure environment to girls from impoverished and often abusive backgrounds. Typically, these girls miss out on education due to domestic responsibilities, early marriages, or labor, or simply because education isn't prioritised for them.

Birdie’s Deep Connection with India

As an avid traveler with a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, architecture, and beautiful cities, Birdie frequently journeys to India. Each visit is a blend of inspiration and connection - she collaborates with our skilled suppliers, scouts unique pieces, and spends time with our trusted correspondent, Sunil, who shares insights from the local areas they visit. Amid her busy schedule, Birdie always makes time to explore India’s captivating sights and immerse herself in experiences that fuel her creativity and passion for design, as well as her love for the country.

India’s Artistry and Craftsmanship: A Source of Inspiration

India's rich cultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship make it an ideal place to source and produce select products. Generations of artisans bring quality and authenticity to every piece, while India's diverse materials, such as luxurious silks, handwoven textiles, and intricately carved woods, offer an inspiring range for design. This blend of artistry, resources, and sustainability makes India a special partner in bringing Birdie’s visions to life, and we’re proud to support initiatives like The Better Future Collective to give back to a community that allows us to do what we do today!

The Better Future Collective: An Initiative for Change

The Better Future Collective is a meaningful initiative launched by Daisy Fellowes, founder of Kapara London, a lifestyle brand deeply committed to supporting the communities that craft their products, especially in Jaipur, India. Daisy’s connection to Jaipur runs deep—she first arrived to teach English and Maths at the Tabbar Street Children Shelter. Since then, she has championed numerous projects designed to make a positive difference, with a special emphasis on improving educational opportunities for children.

The Better Future Collective is all about bringing brands together who want to make a difference, this is particularly sentimental for Birdie, due to our connection to India.

“We're focused on education, specifically supporting girls in Luniyawas, a struggling area in Jaipur, by helping them go to school. We've teamed up with Sneh Girls Shikshan Sansthan (SGSS), a school dedicated to providing free, quality education in a safe environment. Many girls in impoverished families miss out on school because they're needed at home or because education isn't prioritised for them. We want to change that narrative and give these girls the chance they deserve.” - Daisy Fellowes, www.kaparalondon.com/pages/projects-programs

An Inspiration: More Than Just Schooling

Our donation helps to fund their education, school supplies, uniform, medical care and meals. Hopefully providing everything they need to flourish, and achieve their dreams. The school Birdie recently visited, SGSS, is situated in Luniyavas, Jaipur.

“What stood out for me was the children's eagerness to learn - they were so animated and interested as well as being beautifully turned out.  It was inspiring to witness their enthusiasm, and I feel incredibly proud to support such a meaningful initiative. By providing these young girls with access to education, we’re helping to give them hope and a brighter future whilst allowing them to thrive and pursue their dreams.

It was inspiring to witness their enthusiasm, and I feel incredibly proud to support such a meaningful initiative. By providing these young girls with access to education, we’re helping to give them hope and a brighter future. This project is truly making a difference, one child at a time

We sponsor three amazing girls who you can see in the photo (also the wonderful Diwali card they made for me) - Neetu (aged 10), Latanya (aged 9) and Tanisha (aged 14).  

Thank you to Daisy and The Better Future Collective @Kaparalondon for such a meaningful and uplifting visit!”

Meet our girls:

Lavanya - “Quiet, intelligent and talented”

• Born – 03.12.2014 (10 years)
• Lavanya has a keen interest in environmental studies and harbors a deep affection for trees, plants, and animals, evident from her collection of potted plants at home.
• Highest attendance record in her class.
• Lavanya has an older sister and a younger brother, her sister is also at the school. 
• Her father, formerly an auto-rickshaw driver, now works as a daily wage laborer due to financial setbacks caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown halted his auto-rickshaw income, leading to the vehicle's repossession by the company due to unpaid installments.
• Consequently, the family endured periods of poverty and hunger.

Tanisha - “Lively, loving and mischievous”

• Born – 28.04.2010 (14 years)
• She is recognised as a quick learner among the other children in her class, demonstrating her clever mind.
• Tanisha's admission to SGSS was facilitated through interactions with other girls attending the school who lived nearby.
• Her favourite subject is mathematics, and she spends her free time solving mathematical problems.
• Tanisha actively participates in lots of school activities but has a passion for drawing and being creative.
• Tanisha wants to be a pilot!
• Her father works as a daily wage laborer, who occasionally engages in extra manual labor such as digging gutters and wells.
• Her mother manages household duties and supplements the family income by stitching saree-fall (fabrics) at home.

Neetu - “Intelligent and helpful”

• Born – 20.10.2014 (11 years)
• Neetu is bright, and helps her peers with their school work
• She is artistic, loves drawing and dancing
• Aspires to become a teacher herself
• Neetu’s family consists of her parents, five sisters, and one brother. 
• Two of her sisters also attended SGSS until the 5th grade (end of primary level). At that time, the school was only recognised up to a primary school level, and the girls parents were not able to send them for further education. Consequently, both girls were married early.
• Her two youngest sisters are also studying in lower classes at the school and another elder sister also studied at the school. With the help of SGSS, she is currently studying further at a government school. 
• Neetu's father works as a roadside puncture repairer.
• Her mother works as a waste sorter in a nearby scrap factory.