Students band together to support Indian school children

Since Feb. 13, students from the Utah State University Huntsman Scholar Program have been selling silicone bracelets known as Reminderbands on campus. The proceeds of the bands will help fund education for underprivileged children in India.

The phrase “I believe” — part of a chant made possible by USU’s student section, the HURD, during sporting events — is printed on the bands.

“We talked to HURD members and crazy fans to help spread the word,” said Jim Allred, a member of the Huntsman Scholar Program.

Allred said the program team is working with an organization called Effect International, which was founded in 2009 by USU students Casey Allred and Bushra Zaman to support the village of Sasaram in the state of Bihar. The organization has pledged to give 100 percent of public donations to fund its projects, including the sponsorship of a 115-student school.

“We are very lucky to be in a situation where we can obtain such an amazing education,” said Ace Beorchia, a Huntsman Scholar and Effect International volunteer. “Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity.”

About a quarter of India’s adult population — some 300 million people, or about the population of the entire United States — don’t know how to read or write, according to the United Nations.

“The teachers are not well educated in government schools,” said Rajee Juturi, a USU graduate student from India. “The government doesn’t put forth enough money toward the public school systems.”

Juturi and Samruddh Dhope, another India native who is working on his graduate degree at USU, both received their educations through private schooling.

“You can find quality education in India,” Dhope said. “You just have to have the finances for it.”

"Private schools are not affordable for everyone," Juturi said.

According to a 2006 World Bank estimate, 42 percent of India’s total population lives below the global poverty line of $1.25 a day.

Effect International’s programs can send a child to school for an entire year for $25.

Allred said as of Tuesday, the team has sold 550 Reminderbands. At $2 each, that total could cover annual tuition for 44 students.

“Back in India, they really value education,” Dhope said. “This is a really good initiative.”

Students who would like to contribute can purchase the Reminderbands at the USU Card Office or donate directly to Effect International at http://effectinternational.org/donate.