PA/16/11 21 April 2011
Australia donates Rs 350,000 to Delhi NGO
Contribution a part of Rs 1.4 crore development program
On 21 April, the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Peter Varghese AO, presented a cheque for 3.51 lakh rupees (A$7600) to local Delhi NGO Maitri. The money will be used to support Maitri’s educational program where children are provided with tutoring in reading and writing Hindi and English, basic maths skills, health and hygiene. The children will also be provided with snacks to improve their nutrition.
“The money is just one of the many grants we distribute from our Direct Aid Program” said High Commissioner, Peter Varghese. “Although the individual sums are small they can make a big difference to the organisations we support”.
“I greatly admire the work of NGOs like Matri, which is making a real difference to lives” added Mr Varghese, who spent two hours interacting with the staff and children of Maitri.
In 2009-10 Australia distributed 20 Direct Aid Program (DAP) grants in India and two in Bhutan with a total value of 1.2 crore rupees ($255,000). In 2010-11 Australia expects to distribute a record 1.4 crore rupees in DAP grants (A$307,000).
“We are really very grateful for the grant from the Australian High Commission” said Maitri Chief Officer, Ms Sonal Singh Wadhwa. “It will help to increase the reach and depth of our program to support the academic aspirations of disadvantaged children”.
For more information on DAP, please visit: http://www.india.embassy.gov.au/ndli/DAP.html
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