Carnevali Foundation Celebrates 🎉 International Women's Day

Rights, Opportunities and Action for All Women and Girls

Carnevali Foundation Celebrates:

International Women's Day
March 8, 2026

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is an important global initiative that recognizes the impact of women, while highlighting the ongoing struggles for gender justice and social transformation, particularly in poorer areas.

Globally, girls continue to face strong barriers to education. According to UNICEF, “132 million girls worldwide do not attend school”.

A number that speaks to the challenges that still remain and to the importance of providing educational opportunities –

particularly for girls – in disadvantaged communities.

Over the years, at the Carnevali Foundation, we have been inspired by the spirit, resilience and successes of many girls and women who have attended or worked in our adopted schools.

Today, we wanted to briefly share with our readers, the stories and faces of a few whose lives we were able to impact.

Giving Young Girls the Opportunity to Receive an Education

Providing young girls – such as Rai Pushpa, a 4th grade student at the MA Nagar School in India – with the opportunity to receive a quality education is something that is particularly important to us. As she wrote to us: “Carnevali supports many government schools, and this truly impresses me because I have never seen anyone serve like this before. Because of their help, we now have a good school building, a nice playground, and many better facilities. These improvements give us a great place where we can learn, play and study comfortably.”

Fulfilling Their Dreams

Insha Rai (shown in the middle above), a student at the Dhrubatara Carnevali School in Nepal, is just as hopeful about her future: “I have turned 14 this year. I am a student from 7th grade. Dhrubatara Carnevali School has brought great positive impact in my life. I am able to get proper education and am constantly improving my social skills and abilities. Sometimes, I wonder if I was still in my village, then I wouldn't have been able to be the person I am right now. My school holds the ability to fulfill the dreams and future goals of students.”

Supporting Our Brightest Graduates in Achieving Their Dreams

Puttala Lavanya was selected as part of the Rising Stars scholarship program aimed at our brightest high school graduates in India: “I studied at Maktha School until 10th standard, but my parents could not afford to support my higher studies. CF adopted me and supported my further education. With their help, I am now studying B. Tech 2nd year in Computer Science and getting closer to achieving my dream of becoming an IT Professional.”

Getting to Know Carnevali’s Female Students

One of Jackie’s most rewarding activities during her trips to India, is spending time with Carnevali’s university and polytechnic students (“Rising Stars”) and university graduates (“Inspiring Young Professionals”), many of whom are women. Dinners and special trips are often organized, where the girls get the chance to share their personal stories and experiences, as well as their hopes for the future!

A Role Model to All Our Female Students

Aligati Himabindu "Bindu" (pictured 2nd from the left attending WEF) started as a student at our first adopted school in India and has always been exceptional! She persisted in her studies, gained her degree and now works for CF India, taking on greater responsibilities: from providing routine support and visitations to our grads in Polytechnic and University, to writing our Facebook and Instagram posts and contributing to our monthly Newsletters.

Impacting the Lives of Other Young Girls

“I studied at Yellammabanda School until 7th standard, but my parents were not ready to send me to a school for higher studies. CF adopted me as a Rising Star and supported my higher education. With their help, guidance and exposure, I completed my studies. This opportunity changed my entire life from nothing to something! Now I am able to earn and support my family, working for CF and helping other girls who are in the same position I was.”

Empowering Women Through Adult Literacy and Sewing Classes

Renuka is the Aaya at our MA Nagar School in India. She resides and works on the school campus with her husband and their 3 children. Renuka is one of the keenest participants in our Literacy and Sewing classes for adults. As she explains: “I am working as an Aaya in MA Nagar School. Earlier, it was very difficult for us to survive in the city with three small children, and we could not afford our daily expenses."

A Better Life for Renuka–And Many Other Women in the Community

"Now we are staying in the school, which gives us shelter, and I receive a monthly income for our needs. CF runs an Adult Literacy Program and I am one of the students. Now I can help my children with their studies! There are also sewing classes for the community, where I earn some extra money by stitching blouses and doing alterations. I am very happy that now I can help my family live a better and happier life.”

More Than Just a Celebration

Today should not just be a celebration: but a Call for Action towards greater representation and opportunities for women, and a shared commitment to help shape a future where all girls and women around the world are empowered to live life on their own terms!

Plans for Women’s Microfinancing Project in India

While a lot of progress has been made, there’s still so much work that can be done! This is precisely why the Carnevali Foundation is in the early planning stage of an initiative related to Microfinancing in India. Our goal is to provide opportunities for women in the communities where our adopted schools are located, giving them a chance to become self-sufficient. Stay tuned as we move from planning to impact!