GMV is bringing the life-changing benefits of education to 3,000 students from rural farming villages near Varanasi, India, an area where the literacy rate for women is only 30%. Thanks to very high academic standards and well-qualified teachers, the girls are successfully becoming lawyers, biologists, chemists, psychologists, and teachers of all kinds. With an education, they can escape poverty and achieve their hopes and dreams.
To empower rural girls in India by providing a high-quality education, with qualified teachers, at a cost rural families can afford.
The average passing rate on the standardized tests the Indian government requires all students to take is 55% to 60%. At GMV the passing rate is consistently between 90% and 95%, except in the College where it is 99%.
- Dr. Narayani Singh, School Founder
Overhead costs at GMV are kept very low (and money goes farther in India!). This means that every cent of every dollar donated to GMV is spent to educate girls who have no other opportunity to receive an education. You really can provide a whole year of education for a girl for only $106. Over one hundred girls receive a scholarship every year.
- Camille Tarics, Board President
Education changes lives. We are seeing girls from poor families become poised, confident young women, able to support themselves and fulfill their dreams. The social benefit that has resulted from educating girls is tremendous, and we are seeing it happen in a single generation.
- Dr. Narayani Singh, School Founder
GMV is fully accredited and authorized by the Indian government. Though it is sometimes difficult to recruit teachers to teach at a rural school, all teachers at GMV are fully qualified to teach in their subject area. We hire women teachers whenever possible, so that they can serve as role models for the girls.
When GMV opened, it was rare for a girl from the area to go beyond 3rd or 4th grade. Now almost all girls who go to GMV graduate from high school, and nearly 50% go on to earn a college degree. GMV has graduated thousands of students who have become lawyers, chemists, biologists, psychologists and teachers at all levels.
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Learn MoreMy involvement with GMV has been more rewarding than I could have dreamed. Recently, a young woman came up to me at a wedding party in India, saying "Madame Barbara, you taught me English in 6th grade. I have gone on, and now I have a Master's degree and teach English in high school. I feel so lucky to see you and say thank you!!"
- Barbara Fordham, Board Member
Most of the students ride their bikes to school, some walk, and many ride the bus from villages further away. When I asked the girls about their morning routine they typically replied, "I get up at 5:30 am to study before school and to do my chores." School is six days a week. These girls are eager to learn! Many are the first girls in their families to attend school.
- Marilyn Johnson, Board Member
Watching these bright, determined girls find their voices, grow in confidence, and challenge the status quo is deeply inspiring—and something that resonates with me on a personal level. For the past 15 years, I have been blessed to support and witness the unbelievable impact of this foundation...
- Chelsi Hadley, Board Member
The girls are smart, friendly and outgoing. Though they lead different lives than women in the US, they like dancing and celebrities just like other women their age. I love how inspired they are to learn and contribute to their community.
- Anna Fordham, Board Secretary
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