Alphabets for a cause

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article1025801.ece

Interview Troy Swanson aims to set up more schools in India to make education accessible to all

A for Amsterdam, B for building schools and C for charity and you have all the basic information about the AlphaBet Club, an NGO headquartered in Amsterdam that works towards building schools for charity. It was founded by Troy Swanson, an ex-techie, who worked with Microsoft before he abandoned his cushy corporate job to make a difference.

“I have been in and out of India several times in the past year, trying to understand the country better,” says Troy who was recently in Bangalore to set up a school.

For the past 10 months he had been raising money with his team for their project in India.

They recruit teachers who live in the area and the cooking and cleaning staff is hired from the slums. “Teachers who accept to work with slum children need to be passionate about teaching. We work around a unique concept which follows an American curriculum and the learning is more hands on.”

“Our goal is to get children of the streets and into classrooms, get them an education, at least one nutritious meal a day and access to medical attention,” says Troy.

According to Troy parents need to realise the importance of an education for their children and want for their children to continue being in school.

“If we have gotten through to the parents and have helped them understand how vital an education is for their children that is half the battle won."

"We give these parents a safe place for their children to learn and grow for four to five hours a day that also gives the parents a chance to go out and earn a living.”

Troy is now urging multinational companies to look into his cause as a part of their corporate social responsibility.

“Companies have the money, and are willing to give, all they ask for is transparency, and I will assure that to them.”

CATHERINE RHEA ROY