Through a connection of Peter Burwash, founder of PBI, René Zondag, President of PBI and his wife, Ineke, became involved in the Food for Life Vrindavan (FFLV) charity in Vrindavan India in 2009. Ineke is now president of FFLV USA.
FFLV is a charity organization that runs a variety of projects for the exceedingly impoverished, such as providing education to young girls (which has proven to prevent child marriage in the process), serving meals to over 2,000 people daily, and providing sports to those without access. Ineke and René were recently in India to inaugurate the FFLV new sports facility, which will include a tennis court named in honor of Peter Burwash.
Food For Life takes care of “the poorest of the poor” in the city of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, North India. Uttar Pradesh is the poorest province in India. Vrindavan is a beautiful city and for many Indians a holy city. It is known for its many temples but unfortunately also for slums and impoverished areas. Particularly in these poor areas, women are the ones that suffer the most and are often the last to be considered for education. FFLV currently runs three schools that gives education to around 1500 girls and young women, all of whom would never see a classroom from the inside if it wasn’t for FFLV.
FFLV strongly believes that education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty and through this belief, strives to change the situation of women in India for the better. In a region where girls as young as 10 and 11 years old are being married off, FFLV has seen a huge decline in child marriages by simply providing education and schooling to local young women. Consequently, the basic provision of education ultimately creates a holistic support system for the students and even their families. FFLV students receive new uniforms (which is for many the only clothing they have) twice a year, along with shoes, medical support, nutritious meals, transportation, vocational training, and a safe place to play, express themselves, and receive emotional support when needed.
To learn more about this important organization please visit the YouTube videos at the links below or contact ineke@fflv.org:
Actress Marie Avgeroupolos talks about FFLV and the issues our students face on a daily basis (press play all)
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