Rotary Hawthorn is a proud partner of the Lille Fro Foundation, an Australian charity that transforms lives in India through education in one of the world's most remote regions.
Founded in 2008 by RCH member Tamara Cannon, Lille Fro's journey began with a chance encounter during a climbing trip in Northern India. Meeting a young girl who had never attended school, Tamara sponsored her education – an act of kindness that planted the seed for the Lille Fro Foundation.
Operating in Ladakh, northern India, at an elevation of around 3,500 metres, Lille Fro works in one of the highest and driest habitable places on Earth. While the region's isolation has preserved its unique culture, it has also created significant challenges in accessing basic education and healthcare. Remote villages face harsh winters that cut them off for half the year. At the same time, a brief four-month growing season leads to ongoing nutrition challenges for struggling families.
We are excited to share progress on one of Lille Fro's initiatives in Zanskar - the Little Seeds House Boarding facility. This first-of-its-kind community hostel in the region is nearing completion and is set for handover to the community. This vital project will provide safe accommodation for up to 80 children from remote communities. Many families currently face a difficult choice: either keep their children at home without education or risk their safety on the treacherous 'Ice River' - known as the world's most dangerous walk to school.
The hostel will support children living in extreme poverty, those affected by disability or illness in their families, and vulnerable young people who are orphaned or from communities without functioning schools. By providing a safe, supportive environment alongside quality education, Little Seeds House will lower the geographical and economic barriers that prevent children from accessing quality education.
Rotary Hawthorn is proud to continue supporting an initiative that opens doors to education for children in one of the world's most challenging environments.
For more information about Lille Fro's work and how you can contribute to their mission, visit: www.lillefro.org
Tax-deductible gifts can be made at RAWCS: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/35-2009-10