MANISHA STORIES

Introduction: Uncovering the Shadows

In India, the path to education is blocked by many obstacles. Poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity stand in the way. But among these barriers are bright minds, especially girls, full of potential but often held back. That’s the challenge we’re addressing with Manisha Stories Fund—a social non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for these children.

The Need: Addressing the Crisis

While girls around the world generally have higher survival rates and access to preschool education, India stands out. In India, more girls die than boys, and girls are far more likely to drop out of school.

This crisis is felt most among young girls who are forced to leave school because of factors like inadequate school facilities, the stigma around menstruation, and deep-rooted societal beliefs about women’s roles.

Highlighting The Importance of Education

The issues girls face are multifaceted. Inadequate sanitation, lack of hygiene products, and the undervaluing of girls’ education contribute to millions of girls dropping out every year.

Addressing the lack of proper hygiene products, providing clean and safe facilities, and offering education are the first steps toward helping these girls stay in school. Ensuring they can stay in class with dignity, especially during puberty, is critical.

The Impact of Poor Menstrual Hygiene

Poor menstrual hygiene can have lasting consequences—reproductive infections, skin problems, and severe discomfort. More importantly, it can stop girls from attending school and limit their future opportunities.

But the effects of this problem are far-reaching: by addressing the root causes, we can break the cycle of inequality that keeps girls from accessing education and entering the workforce.

Challenging Deep-Rooted Norms

Despite India seeing more women rise to leadership roles, gender discrimination remains widespread. Long-held traditions still hold girls and women back from realizing their potential. For many girls, domestic responsibilities are what prevent them from continuing their education. A lack of safe, private restrooms, combined with the fear of menstruation, only makes things worse.

Unearthing Root Causes

As these children transition into adulthood, the barriers they face don’t disappear. Shockingly, only a quarter of women enter the formal workforce, and girls continue to face risks such as child marriage, abuse, exploitation, and violence. These issues will persist until society places a higher value on the education and well-being of girls.

Progress and Future: Lighting the Way Forward

In places like Bihar and Varanasi, where illiteracy rates are as high as 90%, our work is urgent. We begin by addressing school infrastructure, building classrooms and bathrooms to reduce the dropout rate among students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

At the same time, we’re distributing hygiene products to ensure that girls’ health and dignity are supported along with their education. These initiatives will pave the way for the financial support that children living in poverty need to continue their schooling.

Our approach goes beyond financial aid. By working closely with schools and local organizations, we ensure that every resource is put to use effectively, directly benefiting the children and communities we serve.

Join The Mission, Reshape the Narrative

In a country as diverse as India, this work is personal. The Manisha Stories Fund invites you to join us, knowing that true change begins when we come together. We believe that if one of us isn’t free, none of us truly are. This is more than just a belief—it’s a call to action. Let’s rewrite the story, lifting up the dreams of India’s 1.4 billion people.

Your Support Matters—Help us to Change a Child’s Life

Your contribution to Manisha Stories is more than just a donation. It’s a chance to alter the trajectory of a child’s life, showing your belief in their potential and the power of education. With your help, we can break down the barriers that limit these children, offering them opportunities to grow and a future filled with possibility.

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The Big Vision

Looking back on this journey, I think of the children in India whose futures are still waiting to be written. My mission is simple: to give these children the opportunity to change their path through education. I focus on both boys and girls from impoverished backgrounds, ensuring they have access to the opportunities they deserve.

I’m particularly moved by the challenges young girls face. Too often, they miss out on education because of things that shouldn’t be barriers—like the lack of basic hygiene supplies. Providing this support gives them the dignity they need to continue their education.

Running Manisha Stories on my own, I’m building this from the ground up. Every part of this is driven by my heart. Your support—whether through donations, creative ideas, or collaboration—brings this vision to life and offers these kids the future they deserve.

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But Why Me?

As an international, transracial adoptee from India, my life has been a journey of searching for belonging and understanding. While I’ve often felt disconnected from my birthplace, I’ve always known my story has a purpose: to connect two worlds and make a difference for the children of India, the country I was once separated from.

Over time, as motherhood remains an unfulfilled chapter in my life, my desire to serve the children of India has grown stronger. I believe this is my purpose. When I traveled through India, I felt my mother’s spirit with me. Every step felt like a lesson, and every child’s face was a reflection of what could’ve been my own path. These children became my guides, and when they called me “Didi”—their elder sister—I found a kinship I had longed for.

For most of my life, I’ve carried a quiet loneliness, a sense of being on a path few could truly understand. Even surrounded by my loving adoptive family, a part of me always felt unanchored. It wasn’t until my feet touched India, until I played with children by the Taj Mahal, laughed with them during Aarti in Rishikesh, or danced during Holi in Vrindavan, that I finally felt connected.

These children, who helped me find my own way, now give me my purpose. It’s my sacred duty to give back and ensure every “Didi” and “Bhai” has the same opportunities I was fortunate to receive. To be of service is an honor, and I’m proud to be their advocate, their sister in spirit, lighting the way forward. This is more than a mission—it’s my journey of love, gratitude, and homecoming.

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Manisha Stories Fund & Photography

Manisha Stories Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.