United for Hope Named eNGO Finalist
United for Hope staff help women learn basic computer skills.
Computer education includes learning where to find information on government programs.
The camaraderie that develops between the women in the program aids in their learning.
The modern facilities were funded, in part, by IEEE Smart Village through a grant from the IEEE Power and Engineering Society.
United for Hope one of seven NGOs recognized in the eNGO 6th annual awards program.
PISCATAWAY, NJ – United for Hope has received notification that they have been selected out of 439 submissions as one of seven finalists in the Entrepreneurship & Outreach category of the eNGO Challenge award program. Alongside the other finalists, they will present their initiative at a gala dinner in New Delhi on December 18. This award also positions United for Hope to compete in the United Nations World Summit Award. United for Hope was recognized for their holistic pro-gram targeting the women in the Kushinagar District, Uttar Pradesh, India, where they are using computer labs, funded in part by IEEE Smart Village. This funding was made possible by a grant from the IEEE Power and Engineering Society to further educational efforts in the villages where Smart Village has empowered solar powered micro-grids.
The eNGO Challenge Award is sponsored by the Digital Empowerment Foundation. In its sixth year, the purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding grassroots organizations that are promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and raising awareness of local opportunities. The award is focused on nine countries in South Asia where poverty is an issue. These countries include Afghani-stan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
United for Hope was recognized for their work improving the lives of the women in the area. Their submission was entitled “Empowering Women in Rural India: Digital Hubs in Smart Villages”. The submission document outlines how United for Hope uses modern digital techniques to edu-cate the women in the village on how to use the Internet, how to research government programs, and how to be entrepreneurs. Their program has two components, an “In Classroom” experience that focuses on “How to” and research and an “Out of Classroom” component where mentoring, counseling, and practical advice on business issues is the focus.
Tara McCartney, Founder and Director of United for Hope, described the program as a practical ap-proach to business development. “These women are supported in their entrepreneurial develop-ment through promoting innovation and raising awareness of the possibilities that exist”, she add-ed
The ultimate winner will be announced at a celebration December 18th at the Eros Hotel in New Delhi, India. The judges will select the finalist based on relevant content, impact, sustainability, and execution. The criteria that will set the winner apart is the uniqueness and strategic value of the submission.
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