Nonprofit organization would like to build a school and safe haven for impoverished girls
STUDIO CITY, Calif., Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Kathy was on vacation in India when she stumbled upon a shocking revelation.
She found that Indian culture devalues women to the extent that many girl babies are aborted, killed at birth or abandoned. A common practice is to leave a newborn baby girl on the doorstep of a church, orphanage or police station. It's part of the culture.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155653
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155654
Some Indian women are given sex determination tests while they are pregnant and pressured to have abortions if the baby is going to be a girl.
The United Nations estimates that 200 million girls are "missing" in the world. Each year, India and China "eliminate" more girls than the number of girls born in America. This is known as "gendercide."
Erceg couldn't ignore this tragic situation so she is taking steps to create a school and safe haven for girls. "We were all inspired by Malala Yousefzai, the 17-year-old Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize," she said. "Malala was a champion for the rights of girls to have equal education and opportunities. There is a significant momentum picking up and we're excited to be a part of such a global effort."
While on her vacation, Erceg met Indian native Ramit Sohal, who shared her vision about ending the cruelty to young girls. Together they formed Kara Spiritual, an organization that provides inspiration and education for girls in India.
To view a trailer of a film documenting Indian gendercide, visit www.itsagirlmovie.com.
Kara Spiritual's new project is the Kara School, an educational facility for underrepresented and impoverished girls who want to learn. "When people see what girls and women can accomplish, they realize that this practice of gendercide is horribly wrong," said Erceg, who splits her time between California, Australia and New Delhi.
An estimated $50,000 is needed for construction of the school, equipment and supplies. In order to generate this capital, Kara Spiritual has launched an Indiegogo campaign, which can be viewed at www.indiegogo.com/projects/finishing-a-dream-the-kara-school.
Donations of any amount are welcome. For $100, backers will receive a glossy digital photo. A $2,000 contribution is rewarded with one year's tuition for an Indian girl and a tour of the school (transportation to India not included).
For additional information, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/finishing-a-dream-the-kara-school; the Kara School Facebook page, www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1400664420209966; or the Kara Spiritual website, www.karaspiritual.com.
Kathy Erceg
Kara Spiritual
+1-602-820-1877
Email
www.karaspiritual.com