Butterflies USA, Inc.

Butterflies NGO's Learning to Fly Newsletter 🗞️

This just in! Butterflies NGO has been up to some amazing work on the ground. Here are some highlights you don't want to miss:

🔹32 new Child Health Educators advocating for better health practices
🔹57 child leaders now heading the Children's Cooperatives
🔹425 children participating in the Senior Football League, showcasing sportsmanship and teamwork
🔹Butterflies children's artistic talents recognized at a state-level painting competition, with one student bringing home the first prize in honor of World Earth Day
🔹Butterflies' teacher receives commendation from a government school
🔹Stress and anxiety management sessions help children cope with test-related anxiety
🔹Blue Umbrella Day raises critical awareness about the sexual abuse of boys

And more! Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can help the children of Butterflies soar 🦋

Read the full newsletter here:

https://mailchi.mp/92500c429038/learning-to-fly-16195739?e=[UNIQID]

Something's cooking at Butterflies NGO! The talented team at Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering has curated a special collection of authentic Indian recipes just for you! As a big THANK YOU to all our wonderful supporters, we're sharing these mouthwatering recipes to spice up your kitchen adventures. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a cooking newbie, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Download your recipe book via the link below:

www.butterfliesusa.org/updates/scrumptious-recipes-by-butterflies-school-of-culinary-and-catering/

🌸 Happy International Women's Day! 🌸

To all the incredible young girls in India:

Today, as we celebrate International Women's Day, let us take a moment to honor the strength, resilience, and power within each and every one of you. In a country as diverse and vibrant as India, you are the future leaders, change-makers, and torchbearers of progress.

is committed to empowering young girls like you to reach for the stars, break barriers, and fulfill your dreams. We believe that every girl has the right to education, health, opportunity, and a life free from discrimination. On this special day, we want to remind you of your worth, your potential, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

In a world where gender inequality still persists, your voice matters more than ever. Whether it's in your classrooms, communities, or beyond, never underestimate the power of your words and actions. You have the ability to challenge norms, advocate for change, and create a more inclusive society for all.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Together, we can build a brighter future where every girl can thrive and succeed. So let's stand tall, support one another, and continue to break down barriers that hold us back.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's reaffirm our commitment to gender equality, empowerment, and justice for all. Today and every day, let's strive to create a world where every girl can spread her wings and soar. 🦋

The new story titled “Being ahead of the game” from our series is here, featuring incredible transformations from Children of Butterflies NGO’s various cooperatives!

Read here : https://shorturl.at/bvwFW

Let’s spread these tales and inspire others to make a difference.



Dainik Bhaskar The Times of India Hindustan Times Dainik Jagran Indian Express Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India ChildFund India UNICEF Indiaf Butterflies USA, Inc. Misereor Comic Relief Family for Every Child Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India

The streets of New Delhi are tough for children, and getting just one good meal a day is a challenge. Opportunities for a brighter future are even rarer. In 2009, Butterflies NGO expanded its community kitchen, giving birth to the Butterflies School of Culinary & Catering (BSCC), aimed at providing practical culinary training and entrepreneurship skills to street-connected youth.

BSCC's 18-month training program has been a game-changer for marginalized urban youth, instilling crucial skills like decision-making, leadership, teamwork, and discipline. The BSCC's goal is to prepare these teenagers holistically for the hospitality sector, equipping them to excel in leading hotels or even launch their own ventures.

Today, BSCC faces new challenges. To empower BSCC students for successful futures, we need your support. Help us strengthen our impact by supporting essential components like kitchen equipment, food supplies, student uniforms, training module development, job search support, and more.

With your help, Butterflies has discovered a recipe for success. Food not only strengthens community and culture but also creates opportunities for these hopeful young students. Join us in continuing this great work by making a donation today.

We are nearly 75% to our fundraising goal, but need your help to get us to the finish line. 🦋 Join us in making a difference! 🌟 Added bonus, our generous long-time supporter has agreed to extend their 1:1 matching gift until the end of January.

Your contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly towards enhancing opportunities for India's most vulnerable youth. On behalf of all Butterflies children and staff, THANK YOU! 🙏🇮🇳

Give today: https://chuffed.org/project/104746-a-recipe-for-success-for-indias-underserved-youth

This Giving Tuesday, we're serving up a Recipe for Success for Butterflies NGO's School of Culinary and Catering (BSCC) 🧑🏾‍🍳

Through the BSCC, Butterflies enables underserved kids to acquire in-demand job skills while gaining experience in decision making, leadership, teamwork and discipline.

Act now to build on Butterflies' recipe for success to ensure that the BSCC's life-changing work can continue to grow.

Delicious bonuses 📣 Donors who contribute $50 or more will receive a PDF for a favorite traditional Indian meal, chosen by BSCC students.

Those who contribute $250 or more will receive the BSCC's first ever recipe cookbook!

Give today via the link below 🦋

A Recipe for Success for India's Underserved Youth getting one good meal a day can be difficult -- with opportunities for a successful future, even rarer still. Recognizing a valuable connection between children's nutrition and healthy eating and youth livelihoods, in 2009 Butterflies expanded its community kitchen. Butterflies School of Culinary &....

The Butterflies Team is thrilled to launch our Chuffed Campaign 2023: BSCC’s Recipe for Success! 🍴📣

For Butterflies, the family is the primary source of our support and stability – connecting us with our roots, our history, our sense of belonging. Integral to family life, there is perhaps nothing more central to community, and to culture, as the food we prepare and eat.

Yet for children living on the streets of New Delhi, getting one good meal a day can be difficult -- with opportunities for a successful future, even rarer still. Given these realities, in 2009 Butterflies expanded its Community Kitchen to include a culinary school, to offer practical skills training to these marginalized youth.

Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering's (BSCC) eighteen-month training program has proven to be an effective professional course for urban poor youth– imparting skills like decision making, leadership, teamwork, and discipline. Butterflies seeks to prepare these teenagers holistically to enter the hospitality sector as well-rounded early professionals with the entrepreneurial qualities to land good jobs in leading hotels or even start their own ventures.

This year, Butterflies School of Culinary & Catering welcomed a cohort of 15 students, the first to fully benefit from the program’s new lead and administrators who hail from the hospitality sector, bringing with them innovative approaches, and proven training modules.

The role of food, to strengthen community, culture, and a sense of belonging, can also deliver opportunity in the lives of these hopeful young students.

Please help support us in continuing this great work. Your donation is tax deductible and will go directly toward Butterflies NGO's efforts to enhance opportunities for India's most vulnerable youth.

On behalf of all the children and staff of Butterflies NGO, we thank you!

Give today to help continue supporting the students of BSCC: https://chuffed.org/pay/campaign/104746

🦋

A Recipe for Success for India's Underserved Youth getting one good meal a day can be difficult -- with opportunities for a successful future, even rarer still. Recognizing a valuable connection between children's nutrition and healthy eating and youth livelihoods, in 2009 Butterflies expanded its community kitchen. Butterflies School of Culinary &....

Stories like the following are why Butterflies NGO's child-led programs are vital for street-connected and vulnerable children:

In 2016, at the age of nine, Abdul Nasir joined Butterflies. Since then, Abdul has been an active member of the Children’s Development Khazana (CDK). CDK was the program that attracted him the most, as he says, “Whatever little money I earned could be kept safely after joining CDK." Before becoming a member of CDK, Abdul's money was either stolen or lost in the market where he used to sleep. Through CDK, Abdul has been consistently making transactions with the limited money that he earns.

Initially, Abdul was frequently withdrawing from his savings to meet his daily needs or to help his father. His father worked as a watchman at an ATM booth, but lost his job during 2020's first wave of COVID. Sensing his father’s helplessness, Abdul chose to be an assistant in one of the motorbike repair shops.

Through CDK, Abdul began learning more about the importance of savings. Though he did not have a regular or consistent income, he was able to save 800 INR in his saving account after the first wave of the pandemic hit the country. He realized that it was important to have a saving for emergencies and uncertainties.

During the second wave of the pandemic Abdul and his father felt compelled to return to their family’s village outside of Delhi, as lockdown was imposed and they realized it would be extremely difficult to survive in the city without a regular income. In the village, they received rations from the government, but they were inadequate for a family of five. Stresses began mounting, and the family home's dilapidated roof was in dire need of repair.

Abdul, witnessing his family struggle not only for food but also for a roof over their heads, began to think about his CDK. Although he did not have too much in his savings, he was eligible for an advance. He sent an application for a welfare advance, and the advance committee readily approved it. Abdul said, “I felt good that I helped ease my family’s struggles through a CDK Advance. I borrowed Rs.1000, which was a lot of money at that point in time. Nobody else wanted to lend, as everyone feared that the money would not be returned. Moreover, no one in the village HAD money to spare. I knew that my CDK would help me.”

When Abdul obtained the advance, his father, who is not normally demonstrative, became emotional. He hugged Abdul and his eyes welled up with tears. Abdul told his father, “Once we return to Delhi, I will save more in CDK. Budgeting and saving is so important; you never know when a crisis could happen suddenly.” His father promised to save part of his earnings, however small, as he realized the wisdom of his son Abdul.

For more information about life-changing programs like CDK, visit: www.butterfliesngo.org

Last month, Butterflies NGO organized a four-day reflection workshop on Children's Cooperatives at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra in New Delhi 🦋 Over 120 children attended this groundbreaking event!

Children participated in debates, informative discussions, creative group projects, and more over the course of the workshop to help them learn more about democratic decision-making and the cooperative model.

Additionally, participants heard directly from child representatives about the Children's Development Khazana (CDK), Butterflies' financial management cooperative program. The children shared how CDK has positively impacted their own prioritizing, saving, and budgeting habits, and made recommendations about improving the program moving forward.

Once again, Butterflies NGO is giving children the knowledge, tools, and confidence to spread their wings, enact change, transform, and soar 🫶🏻