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Rashmi Misra https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/female-activists-global-gender-equality-human-righ/ https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/rashmi-misra-vidya-school-slum-india-education/ https://twitter.com/Vidya_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E712301423044730880&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalcitizen.org%2Fen%2Fcontent%2Ffemale-activists-global-gender-equality-human-righ%2F https://vidya-india.org/ http://www.trueactivist.com/these-12-female-activists-are-making-the-world-a-better-place-right-now/ https://theblogofawesomewomen.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/rashmi-misra-teaching-for-change/

Overview

Rashmi Misra is a female Indian education activist who created a non profit program, VIDYA, that creates schools in underprivileged communities all across India. She is known for her activism in education for women, and bridging the gap between rich and poor through education. Back in 1985, when she saw a group of young girls playing in the pipes during school hours, it opened her eyes to the true educational system of India. India, a fast growing country, is leaving schools in the dust. Schools in India have a shortage of teachers, and India has not improved school's infrastructure, leaving kids dropping out and not going to school like the group of girls playing in the drain pipes. She quitted her job as a German Professor to be a women at the forefront of education. From teaching the small group of girls English and Math in her home to now helping 200,000 underprivileged children, she is providing rigorous education to children through VIDYA. Misra seeing women's academic future be crippled by stereotypes and poverty, inspired her to create a program to educate the vulnerable, women and children, all across India, which is later known as VIDYA. At Vidya, she teaches English, Math, computing, and women’s rights, as well as an adult literacy program. Misra choose the latter in education, and it has definitely paid off. Misra's students are getting scholarships from the top universities and schools across the nation from proper education. Although going to school is a struggle for these children, for they live in unsanitary sewers and only have one outfit. Misra is willing to help out with their needs and be an at home tutor when needed. She also taught parents the importance of teaching children global citizenship and the ways of the world, because those things cannot be taught in schools. Rashmi Misra created a school in underprivileged and poor communities where children of all genders and social status can spread their wings to academic success and learn the core of education.

Before VIDYA

Rashmi Misra grew up in a military family, and moved to a lot, but finished her schooling in Delhi, India. Rashmi attended Lady Sri Ram College and studied German and public relations, as well as Odissi dance, an Indian classical dance that originated from Hindu temples. For her first job, Rashmi Mistra was a member of Lufanthsa Airlines. Later, she became a German teacher that lectured a number of universities across India. After marriage, she emigrated to the United States. She finished the small education program that she started in India in the United States which is later known as, VIDYA.

1985 approaching kids in the sewer

Back in 1985, she found 5 young girls playing in the drain pipe near an IT campus.

Creation of VIDYA and current day

Vidya employs over 300 people and has made a difference to more than 220,000 families in the three decades since then

Misra found – and inspired – many volunteers and carried out fundraising over the years to sustain VIDYA’s efforts.

Has a website that supports donations for VIDYA