IT vocational education for girls in India

Dear friends,

We walked through the slums of Bangalore with a young girl who looked at us with bright eyes, a quick smile, and a quiet self-confidence (see photo below). Karen Duys, founder of the NGO Planet Hope Asia, explained that enrolling a girl in their program would require trust from the family which takes time and effort. But this could open a completely different future for her.

Last month, Marlene and I traveled through South India. Together with our close friends Peter and Yvonne, we visited the program we support through Net4Kids. Karen welcomed us together with the young women who now run the NGO. Many of them joined Planet Hope as teenagers, at a moment when their lives could easily have taken a very different turn.

All these girls come from disadvantaged families, living in makeshift homes in the slums or near a stone quarry where their families have done hard physical labor for generations. Early marriage and limited choice were once almost inevitable.

Planet Hope begins not with diplomas, but with empowerment: the belief that they are capable of chosing their own path and imagine a different future. From there, education follows: language skills, IT education, and vocational training, and with it, confidence. Some of the girls we met have since started their own small businesses, changing not only their lives but also those of their families.

We were deeply moved by how naturally others stepped in to help. While we were in Bangalore, some of our friends immediately offered support, from AI and STEM training to providing computers.

Two hundred euros covers a full year of education for one girl, often making the difference between early marriage and a life of choice. For 2026, we hope to raise €15,000 to support the next group of girls.

If this resonates with you, we would be grateful for your support.

With warmth and gratitude,

Jeroen and Marlene