Our Mission

In rural Bihar, India, many students rely on local private primary schools that operate on small, infrequent donations from individuals for their education. Without reliable funding, these schools struggle to keep their doors open and meet basic student needs.

BE Change, a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, addresses this problem by funding projects at rural primary schools ranging from meal programs to the purchase of school supplies and the payment of teacher salaries, so that students have what they need to succeed: a stable, quality education.

Stability

Bihar is among the poorest states in India. Per capita income averages less than $2 a day, the World Bank’s definition of the global poverty rate, and more than half of school-aged children are malnourished.

For students, low income means that basic needs like school supplies, clothing and shoes are often of poor quality and unreliable. Their most consistent meal of the day may come from the schools we support. BE Change funds meal programs and the purchase of school supplies and uniforms so students can worry less about basic needs and devote more of their time to education.

For schools, the infrequent flow of small, individual donations creates an uncertain future. BE Change provides funding to support monthly budgets for teacher salaries, utilities, classroom materials and building maintenance to ensure that schools can continue to meet the needs of students in Bihar.

Quality

These schools often lack funding to provide teachers with a competitive salary, and student/teacher ratios may be unacceptably high. BE Change helps fund current teacher salaries and provides additional funding to employ more qualified educators.

For most students, the school building is the focal point of their young lives. In Bihar, school buildings are often simple brick structures with one or two rooms and bench seating for students. When enrollment grows, additional classes are held on open-air rooftops. BE Change provides funding to improve existing school facilities. Improvements may include new desks for students, fresh coats of paint on school walls, covered roof areas, new toilets and additional classrooms.

By addressing the needs of each individual student and the collective school, your donations will ensure that every child has the chance to grow.

We invite you to learn more about our partner schools, Prema Metta and Bhavishya Me. We hope you’ll join us in bringing change to rural Bihar!

Michelle, Alex and Elaine
Directors