Vivek Educational Foundation of Canada (VEFC) is helping improve the standard of living of villagers in remote and disadvantaged regions of India by encouraging their participation in rural development projects to improve health, sanitation and education services. Under its ‘Education for All’ program, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh seeks to provide free basic education to all children. Under this initiative, children also receive school uniforms, a stipend, school supplies and midday meals. However, some communities are left out for political, economic or geographical reasons. Vivek Education Foundation of Canada is helping to fill the gap by establishing primary schools in geographically-remote areas.

        Old school in Musepur village. 

WHO WE ARE

Vivek Educational Foundation of Canada (VEFC) is an incorporated and registered charitable society in British Columbia, Canada. The Foundation member volunteers are well established in their professions in Canada, India and the U.K. As an experienced professional group we have the knowledge, skills and committment for an integrated approach to rural development projects. We believe that vibrant rural economies are vital not only to eradicate poverty but also in the foundation for global peace, security and quality of life for all.

OUR VISION

Poverty and unemployment are two sides of the same coin. We can never eliminate these social indicators but we can certainly encourage and motivate people to participate in the process of rural development for raising their standard of living.

 
Who are the true lovers of humanity? Those who forgetting themselves bring joy to the lives of others
- Mahatma Gandhi

THE PROCESS

Phase I 
The government of Uttar Pradesh with the help of World Bank has started the “Education for all” program under which the government has the mandate to provide free basic education to all the children in the state. Under this initiative the children are getting free school uniforms, Stifend, school supplies and midday meals as well. In spite of all this assistance, there are some communities in the state, which are left out because of political, economical or geographical reasons. Most of the remote areas in Puranpur are not well connected with rest of the district. The dirt roads going through the jungles, having risks of wild animals and dacoits are very real. There are no proper bridges to cross the mighty river Sharda. Small boats without any safety gear are the only means to cross the deep and swift river. Due to these hazards no properly trained teacher wants to teach in this region. VEFC is establishing primary schools in these remote areas. So far we are able to operate elementary schools in the Musepur, Khirkia Bargadia and Rajan Colony villages. We have also started construction of the multipurposes building in Musepur. This year we will be providing solar lamps in Musepur. 

Phase II
Educational can only create awareness of issues but in order to develop and maintain self-sustainable rural communities it is imperative that the projects, which generate jobs, should be implemented. To reduce the rural poverty and to empower the rural women small projects such as poultry and egg production and vegetable farming can be very useful provided we can assist them in the marketing of their produce in the nearby cities. VEFC has planned these project for phase two in the near future.


Crossing the river Sharda to the  remote Dhakia Maharajpur village. The passage is very unsafe; and thus it is difficult to find teachers willing to work there.