The One Love Project was born when a group of friends journeyed through India and experienced at first hand the desperate need to provide a safe and creative space for the many street children of Pushkar.
Last year these friends lost their hearts and souls to the Holy City and its beautiful people but sadly they also saw for themselves the same old story so common in poorest India; the brightest children sent out onto the streets to beg or sell tourist tat. The young and vulnerable are forced to support their families from such an early age. These children are destined to be trapped in another cycle of poverty due to a lack of education and the constraints of their caste system, which means that they can't access the opportunities to break free from this grinding cycle of poverty.
The One Love Project is a collaborative effort between these friends and the gypsy community camped beside the Holy City. It will provide a secure after school play project, located in the heart of their Camp, a classroom, playroom and kitchen have already been built from bamboo and canvas for 16 children. These fortunate children are currently sponsored, through one person's generosity, to go to school. After their morning lessons and during some holidays, the children then attend The One Love Project rather than return to the streets of Pushkar. The local private school Parasha charges 5,000 rupees a year, roughly 4 pounds a month, a cost out of reach of many families in the area that scrape by. The aim of The One Love Project aims to admit more of Pushkar's Camp children into education through sponsorship and grow the after school play project sustainably.
The One Love Project hopes that instead of a career of begging and selling on the streets of Pushkar, the children will be both educated and stimulated in a creative way. Music, dancing, happiness and laughter are right at the heart of One Love. The name has been taken from the famous Bob Marley track, as he is revered with guru status by the locals, to keep sharing his message of love, peace and equality. We want to bring hope and a brighter future to these children, create a safe space full of fun, music and laughter. Secure with love and support they will rise above their social circumstances and look forward to making a great contribution to Pushkar's future.
Already people are generously donating; a one off start up contribution from the UK, a session of Charity Yoga Classes organised in Pushkar and a specially designed piece of 'One Love' jewellery by Gypsy East, the creative collective, have got the ball rolling.
Further contributions are needed to go towards the maintenance of project, wages for the local teacher and projects managers, cooling system,food, gas, fresh water as well as art & craft supplies.
All of our interested FB Followers travelling through Pushkar will be warmly welcomed by The Project and may help in any way they can. Any time and skills that can be shared with the children such as art, music, circus and sports will be of most value.
Great News! The One Love Project as a charitable NGO has started it's State registration as an Educational Society. This will give us a charitable tax status and ensure that we comply with Rajasthan regulations so we can expand to love and care for even more kids next term.
One Love! One Heart!