The LBW Trust (Learning for a Better World) believes education is the pathway to a better future.
At the end of March, David Vaux AM, Kristin Stubbins AM, and Lisa McIntyre—Co-Chairs of Women for Change—led a group of nine supporters on a profoundly moving and inspiring journey through India and Nepal. Over the course of the visit, the group connected with four remarkable education projects supported by The LBW Trust: Teach Her, Vikash Educational Charitable Trust (VECT), SPRJ Kanyashala Trust and Heartland.
What we experienced was nothing short of extraordinary.
Each project had its own identity and unique approach, but they all shared a powerful common thread:
- A deep, genuine commitment to their students
- Responsible, mission-focused use of funds with minimal overheads
- A holistic understanding of education, one that includes life skills and personal growth
- A culture of giving back, where students are encouraged to support others on their journey
Throughout our travels, we were often moved to tears, both of sorrow and joy, as students bravely shared their stories. We left physically exhausted but emotionally uplifted. Their resilience, strength of character, and unshakable optimism humbled us. These students are determined to succeed, and they are overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunities that The LBW Trust has made possible.
If you ever have the chance to visit one of our partner projects, we strongly encourage you to seize it. Seeing these programs in action brings to life how Learning for a Better World is not just our name, it’s our mission. One such opportunity is coming in April 2026, when our CEO, Simon Gerathy, will lead a supporters’ trek to Nepal to visit our Heartland projects.
Click here to learn more and register your interest.
A Glimpse into Four Lives Changed by Education
Teach Her – Agartala, India
Teach Her, a U.S.-based charity, supports young women raised in orphanages across India and Nepal. In Agartala, they partner with the Miracle Foundation to empower students through tertiary education.
Priya’s Story
Priya lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in a modest three-room home with mud floors and corrugated walls patched with plastic. Despite the poverty, everything is clean and well cared for, even the traditional outdoor toilet.
Her mother, a single parent struggling with mental illness, placed Priya in an orphanage as an infant. Today, thanks to support from Teach Her and the Miracle Foundation, Priya is studying to become a nurse.
When she begins working, she plans to live at the hospital, sending most of her modest salary home to support her aunt’s family and help care for her mother. Priya is poised to become a compassionate and capable nurse. The alternative path her life might have taken is heartbreaking to imagine.
Vikash Educational Charitable Trust (VECT) Odisha, India
Our longest-standing partner since 2009, VECT supports students in one of India’s poorest states. Scholarships enable young people, many from rural, low-income families to pursue degrees in medicine, engineering, nursing and business.
Chandan’s Story
Chandan grew up in a small village in Balasore, Odisha. His father was a daily wage labourer, and money was always scarce. But Chandan excelled academically, earning Rank 67 in the state medical college entrance exam. He was admitted to SCB Medical College, Cuttack, but had no way to afford the tuition.
Hearing about VECT’s partnership with The LBW Trust, Chandan applied for and received a scholarship. Today, he serves at a government hospital in rural Odisha. Chandan remains deeply grateful to LBW for the support that transformed his future.
SPRJ Kanyashala Trust – Mumbai, India
This program supports 25 young women with tuition scholarships and tailored training in computer skills, English, personal development and employability. Volunteers from Women for Change also mentor students as they prepare for internships and careers.
A Student’s Story
One remarkable young woman wakes each day at 4am to prepare breakfast for the family she boards with. By 5am, she’s on the train to college, where lectures begin at 7am. She’s studying commerce and has already secured an internship with a warehouse operator.
By 3pm, she returns home to begin her evening chores. Her days are long and challenging, but her enthusiasm is infectious. You could not meet a more driven, eloquent and joyful person.
Heartland, Nepal
Heartland College in Nepal has been a beacon of opportunity since 2011, supported by The LBW Trust. In 2018, we extended our support to include teacher training. And in 2024, thanks to Women for Change, a new women’s college and health clinic was opened, broadening access to education and healthcare for the community.
Meeta’s Story
Meeta’s early life was marked by hardship. Her father abandoned the family when she was just two, and she and her mother endured years of domestic violence and instability. But her mother never gave up hope.
They found Heartland Academy, where Meeta received a full scholarship.
“The teachers were so supportive. My past was affecting my studies, but when I was in Class 4, Heartland provided counselling to help me overcome it. From Grade 1 to 10, they stood by me, and today, as I study in Grade 12, they continue to support me whenever I need help.”
Final Reflections
This journey was a powerful reminder that education is about far more than books and exams. It’s about opportunity, transformation, and hope. The students we met are not just investing in their futures; they’re lifting up their families and communities along the way.
Thanks to your ongoing support, these young people are chasing dreams that once seemed impossible. And they’re doing it with humility, courage and gratitude.
We hope you’ll join us on future visits or share this story with others who believe in the power of education to change lives.
Together, we’re building a better world, one student at a time.
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Thank you,
The LBW Trust
