IGNYTE Magazine Issue 06 | Page 69

My mum helped me start the Sakhi School from our tiny two room slum home because I had no access to a space or finance. The whole idea is based on sharing. To begin with, I shared our space with 5 girls from the slum, sharing my own experience by teaching them what I knew. Now, I rent a small school house, a space to teach girls in. I decided to teach the basics: Hindi, English and maths. We also teach financial literacy and help the girls save money for their education, one rupee at a time. To encourage girls to come here, we share a hot meal with them every day, so they know if they come to the Sakhi School they won’t go hungry.

Covid has led me to set up a Digital School for Girls, and along with a team of volunteers, we’ve been distributing food and sanitary supplies so girls can continue their education safely at home. Since I started the Sakhi School in 2008, no girl here has dropped out. Every girl goes to school confidently and passes her exams every year. It’s created a big impact, you support, share your experience and your life and you change others. My vision is for every girl to go to school confidently and to have a Sakhi School for Girls in every slum area in India.”

RETHINKING

HOW WE CARE

Coen van de Steeg is the founder of WeHelpen, a Sharing platform founded in the Netherlands that connects those who need help with those who offer it.

Photo by Sophie Sheinwald for Generation Share.

The Caring Sharer: Coen Van de Steeg

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