Rashid Bhat for KEI Ramadan 2022 fundraiser

Dear KEI Supporter

Ramadan Mubarak to you and your loved ones. 

Alhamdulillah with your support, Kashmir Education Initiative supported 875 scholars across our programs in 2021. 

 In 2022, we will be welcoming a new cohort of 200 scholars for our High School Scholarship Programs (HSSP) and an additional 100 scholars across our Undergraduate, Post Graduate, International Bridge Scholarship, and Vocational Assistance programs. Along with scholarships, KEI holistically supports scholars with technology, mentoring, counseling, and experiential workshops. 

Our scholars are academic toppers and community leaders, the hope of light for their families and merely in need of guidance and the tools to succeed. Notwithstanding the challenges on the ground, they continue to make us proud with their stellar results and steadfast commitment. As an example, a third of our scholars secured higher than 95% marks in the recently conducted Grade 10 exams and half of our Grade 12 scholars achieved the same. In addition, many have secured admissions to prestigious institutions and performed admirably in competitive examinations for professional institutions.

While we celebrate the success of our champions, we know we are barely scratching the surface in terms of the need on the ground. As an example, in 2022 we received 2309 applications. We are only able to accept 200 and have had to refuse many applicants with excellent credentials. Our inability to accept more was simply due to lack of resources as 858 of these applicants had perfect scores and would have otherwise been accepted in the program. 

Exacerbating our challenges this year, is the direct impact of the war in Ukraine. Through its impact on global commodity prices, the conflict has increased the price of essentials worldwide including in Kashmir leading to additional financial duress on the families of our scholars. To ensure the well-being and buffer the impact of these inflationary shocks and others resulting from Covid-19 induced supply chain shortages for devices, our average spend per scholar is expected to increase in 2022.

Our humble request of you this Ramadan is your steadfast support of our scholars and your help in saying 'yes' to a 1000 more. When you say yes, you change a life, a family, a neighborhood, a society - such is the power of one. Help us create this next generation of teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and dreamers. Donate generously and help us say YES to dreams. 

 https://www.kashmirei.org/donate

“The example of those who spend in the way of Allah is just like a grain that produced seven ears, each ear having a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” – Surah Al Baqarah 2:261

May our Lord accept our fasting, our supplications, and multiply the blessings of our generous donations manifold during the holy month and beyond.

Thanking you all with immense gratitude,

Rashid Bhat