SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Give2Asia, a U.S.-based nonprofit promoting transformative philanthropy for Asia announces an expansion of its partnership with the Agastya International Foundation, which began in 2006. The new Agastya Bandhu Program will support mentorship opportunities for disadvantaged children in rural India by pairing groups of children with college students from the United States.
The Agastya Bandhu Program will host 15-20 undergraduate students from the United States to Agastya's Kuppam Campus near Bangalore for three weeks of residential volunteering. Volunteers will lead groups of young students and work alongside them to implement projects that promote education in science, ecology, arts and culture. Volunteers will also receive orientation and instruction in Indian society, culture and history. The first Bandhu program will take place between July 16 and August 3, 2012.
Agastya International Foundation provides science, technology, engineering and math education to isolated rural communities in India. With their 172-acre campus, 61 mobile labs and 28 science centers, Agastya has taught over 5 million children and 150,000 teachers since it was founded in 1999. The expanded partnership with Give2Asia will help Agastya International Foundation fundraise with its supporters in the United States for the Bandhu Program.
"Agastya has grown steadily over the course of our partnership, in the number of mobile labs they operate, the size of their campus, and in the number of children and teachers they reach," said Give2Asia's Vice President of Programs Jennifer Lofing. "The Bandhu Program is a big step toward establishing cross-cultural connections and furthering Agastya's mission of fighting educational apathy both within India and outside its borders."
Agastya International Foundation and Give2Asia have worked together since 2006.
About Give2Asia
Give2Asia combines exceptional stewardship with comprehensive, on-the-ground knowledge to benefit Asian communities. With its integration of local programs in over 20 countries and the expert guidance of the Asian Philanthropy Advisory Network, Give2Asia helps organizations and individuals overcome the challenges associated with giving overseas. Since its inception Give2Asia has facilitated over US$177 million in charitable giving to 25 countries in Asia.
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