After an overnight flight from London to New Delhi and arrived at 10am, we found ourselves at the Delhi airport without our scheduled driver.  Luckily we were quickly able to find a taxi to introduce us to the streets of Delhi and a myriad of cars, trucks, rickshaws, bicycles, people, and cows.  We hurried to Prayas to get started working.  Our first step was to tour the facility in Jahangir Puri.  The site houses over 150 orphaned boys and teaches them (and girls from the area) both academic and vocational skills.  The facility has a large computer room where the kids learn the vital skill of using the computer and the internet.  They are also taught carpentry, electrical skills, English, personal finance, beauty, and crafts.

UF CHI directly supports sewing training and a social business involving making jute bags also housed in the facility.  Men and women are first given extensive training in sewing and are then able to make jute bags and special orders for large corporations.  Currently they are working on a bulk order of bags for a French corporation.  The social business  provides impoverished men and women with not only a fair salary but additional opportunities for vocational and academic training (including courses in English and personal finance).  Many of the artisans are also members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) organized by Prayas.  These groups give them access to a support network of women in similar situations and provide them with opportunities to take out small micro credit loans for personal needs or entrepreneurial ventures.  This business is an excellent example of sustainable charitable enterprise.  Through the sale of the bags the organization has retained all of its seed financing from UF CHI although additional funds are necessary to expand the business and help more impoverished individuals.

While the streets are chaotic and heat is intense, everyone is welcoming and the people and children of Prayas warm our hearts.