Just in time for the holidays, HUGGS Canada is offering gift givers a means of showing loved ones they care while simultaneously helping youth in need in India receive a life-changing education.
The North Vancouver-based organization, an acronym for Helping Underprivileged Girls and Guys Study, was founded by Lisa Heel in 2003. Now in its 13th year, it’s continuing to sponsor youth in Andhra Pradesh (a state in southeast India), by covering the costs associated with their secondary and career-oriented post-secondary education. HUGGS students have academic ability and supportive parents, however limited financial resources that would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education.
“HUGGS, it really is making a difference in the lives of these young people,” says HUGGS director Marilyn Gullison, Heel’s mother.
The organization is currently supporting 34 students and has had 25 graduates who are now working in their community in a range of fields, including nursing, education and computer programming.
“These young people in India, despite what their family situations are, their determination to study and their having finished their studies to work in their community, this is something for which we are very, very proud. It’s the difference that they are making now in their community,” says Gullison, a North Vancouver resident.
“This is just more than we could have dreamed. It’s wonderful,” she adds.
In addition to covering student fees, HUGGS provides a study centre where program students are able to come daily after school.
“Most of them have no places at home where they can study quietly, with reasonable light,” says Gullison.
HUGGS also provides monthly nutritional supplements to the families that are most in need, things like rice and other foods.
“We also have meetings with the mothers encouraging them in the kind of care that they can give the kids,” she says.
“Because we’re a smaller organization we really do know the kids and their families and there’s a sense of family really within the HUGGS community,” she adds.
To support its work, HUGGS seeks the help of volunteers as well as fundraises throughout the year.
Annually at Christmas, HUGGS runs a holiday gift card campaign. HUGGS Gift of Education Cards come in four designs. For a $25 donation, HUGGS will send a gift card to your recipient of choice. To order a card, visit huggscanada.com.
