“Friends for Education International” was initially started as “Ambedkar Scholarships” in 2003 with just 2 scholarships of Rs. 5,000 each. It was started by Benjamin P Kaila to honour his parents, Kaila Neelambram and Vazramma. The aim is to encourage Dalit (ex-untouchable) students from financially, socially, culturally, and educationally backward families to further their education after successfully completing tenth grade. These kids are intelligent, but with no encouragement or guidance. The project targeted students from his native district Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.
Upon learning of his initiative, more people joined him with their donations. It grew year after year, added more projects, and was able to give more than 100 scholarships in some years. It also started supporting students from other states such as Tamilnadu, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka etc.
From its inception, FFEI ran with complete transparency. Its donations, disbursements, expenses, donors, beneficiaries etc were published on FFEI’s website. Donors are encouraged to have contact with beneficiaries.
FFEI doesn’t have paid staff and runs with volunteers. Its overhead costs are nil or negligible.
FFEI was registered in India in 2008 and in California in 2009. It got its non-profit status 501(c)(3) in 2009.
HISTORY
- 2003: Started as Ambedkar Scholarships with 2 scholarships of Rs. 5,000 for a boy and girl
- 2008: Registered in India
- 2009:Rechristened as Friends for Education International
- Registered as Non-profit 501(c)(3) in the US
