What binds HOH to Bollywood stars Shabana Azmi, Ranbir Kapoor and famous designer Manish Malhotra? The Mijwan Welfare Society! This project has been supported by HOH since 2000 - and what a long way it has come in this decade. The tiny village of Mijwan with 58 dwelling units and 550 inhabitants, situated deep inside of one of the most backwards districts of India, Azamgarh, UP got its day in the limelight on January 23, 2011 when the The Mijwan Fashion Show took place in Mumbai. Coordinated by Shabana Azmi, a five time winner of the National Film Award for Best Actress, the event showcased the elegant designs of Manish Malhotra before 300 guests. They were worn by 23 Bollywood stars, and 20 top models in recognition of her father, who inspired her, and the people who helped make a difference in Mijwan. "My father, Kaifa Azmi, was a rare poet who practiced what he preached in life," says Shabana Azmi." After getting a paralytic stroke which incapacitated his left arm and let, he gave up the comforts of Mumbai and settled Mijwan, a village frozen in time. "Today, Mijwan is becoming a model village, but it was an arduous journey. I remember asking him how he did not become frustrated when change would not occur at the pace he wanted, and he answered calmly, 'When working for change, you should build into that expectation that change might not happen in your lifetime, but this should not stop your efforts, even if they happen after you.'" Kaifa Azmi's words became the mantra of Shabana. The Mijwan Welfare Society now has four Training Centers, and is responsible for changing a tradition that viewed their daughters as second class, not worthy of an education, married off at the tender age of 12 or 13. Dr. Nilima Sabharwal, the Founder of Home of Hope, met Shabana met at a party hosted by a mutual friend in San Francisco, in 2000. When Dr. Sabharwal learned about a little school in Mijwan that taught a few young girls to sew, she was anxious to visit this village on her next trip to India. "When I found the school, things seemed to be getting worse. In the very small dark room, with no lights, there the young girls sitting on the floor and leaning against the walls while they embroidered fabrics by hand, because there were no chairs. There was no bathroom and the women had to go into the fields when necessary. It was impossible to not help these women!" Upon her return to the California, a new member of Home of Hope, Dr. Nalini Bhat, was appointed responsible for this job. The first step was to supply more sewing machines. As electricity was unreliable in the village, 10 foot-pedaled sewing machines were purchased, along with chairs. A teacher was hired, and bathrooms were installed. The second step was to add more courses and a larger school being build, and a generator was purchased so small fans could keep the air moving during the hot season. To encourage the families to send their daughters to the training program, Dr. Bhat designed a stipend program. This was done as an experiment, and covered the costs for two years, so progress could be measured, and the daughters could experience for the first time the feeling of earning their own independence. These changes required team work with Namrata Goyal, the God-child of Shabana. She had been a film student in London, and returned to India to oversee this project. Ms. Goyal believes most truly that now is the time to stop watching injustice silently, and to continue working for social and economic equality between girls and boys. Now, just 8 years later, a tradition that restrained the imagination and curiosity of these young women has been removed. The girls are now able to earn money, have been taught how to keep track of their income and the third step has been introduced, and the school has expanded into a production site. Ranbir Kapoor, a well recognized actor, has also come on board the work of the Mijwan Welfare Society, acknowledging that "attention must be turned towards rural India, and focus on empowering the girl child". "In Mijwan we run a school, a college, a computer centre and sewing and Chikankari centre," says Shabana. "The work of the seamstresses is so stunning that Anita Dongre has been giving them work". Manish Malhotra too,decided to utilize the talents of these young women at the Chikankari centre for his exquisite designs, "India has a long history of the warp and weft design aesthetics. It is time that we rediscover ourselves and go back to our roots". Shabana proudly urges "I hope that you have a spare moment to see their fine work online. These garments and embroidery at the Mijwan Fashion Show will catch your breath." Back in the United States, another young woman, Rupali Saiya, began Crafts of Hope, a division of Home of Hope, when only 15 years old. When she visited Mijwan, she taught the girls how to crochet and knit, and their products are now being sold in the United States. Now you can make online donations. You can also mail your donation checks to: Home of Hope Inc. 190 Tobin Clark Drive Hillsborough, CA 94010 For more information on Home of Hope and our current projects and how you can help, please visit us at www.hohinc.org. Your support is very important to the success of our mission. You can also write to us at info@hohinc.org Home of Hope is a Non Profit Charitable Organization Tax ID#94-3342348 sec 501 (c)3