Ilanos Earn N Learn project, offers a safe and loving alternative to street labor while nurturing their education, strengthening their values and giving the children a chance to enjoy their childhood. Beyond that, our greatest joy comes in the small and meaningful stories that reflect our children’s values and attitudes.

This year, thirteen-year-old Lila saved enough money from the Ilanos Earn N Learn to buy her own bicycle. She rides it to school and to the community center daily.

John, who has been in the program for 8 years, is now in college and is working towards his goal of becoming an engineer. Enterprising Nsayan, is just 15 years old, asked for a loan to buy and sell goods, and have returned all of the money borrowed after a successful entrepreneurial venture.This year Earn N Learn extended its reach to include nearly 25 adolescent girls (12-16 years old) from the larger slum community of Gujarat. At this age, a girl living spends the bulk of her day immersed in housework, and gets married at a young age. Once she drops out, she is unlikely to return to school or even think about a brighter future for herself beyond the role of wife and mother.

This new program located inside of the community center is open five days a week, and the girls work under the guidance and mentorship of Anita. Anita has herself been a role model and fought through all the odds to make it through college. At the community center, the children make paper products to earn some money, but more importantly use the time to keep learning, gaining exposure to the world, build their self-confidence, and get a chance to explore who they are. We strongly believe this is only the beginning!