Helping hands ensure that “little buds” flower
Chrstine Hodgson, chief executive of technology services, Capgemini UK discusses how sponsoring education for underprivileged girls offers hope of carving a career.
7 October 2009
Publication
“People realised that for a very modest amount of money they could
make a real difference,” Christine explained when describing how
support from Capgemini has helped the Nanhi Kali Initiative created by the Naandi Foundation.
The initiative was set-up in 1996 and Capgemini India was one of the first to sponsor three Indian girls. With over 20,000 employees in India and 20% of the workforce women, this initiative helped 2,650 underprivileged girls in 2008.
With the IT sector struggling to recruit women, supporting this initiative is seen as the best way to encourage the education of girls and show how much they are valued.
In early 2009, Christine visited some of the sponsored girls in Mumbai and their enthusiasm and ambition impressed her.
“They have a huge thirst for education. I met mothers who were so proud that their girl was in school and looking immaculate in her uniform.”
Christine says many of the girls she met wanted to be teachers and doctors - aspirations that would be very difficult to achieve were it not for the sponsorship because their parents invariably do low-earning jobs. “I felt very inspired,” Christine continues. “I would like every one of our people to sponsor a girl to have that experience.”
This article appears as part of the Times Focus Report on Where Women Want to Work.
Related links:
- Announcement: Capgemini listed in Where Women Want to Work for the fourth year
- Our International Community Partner - The Naandi Foundation
