Please contact us by email or WhatsApp if you would like to visit our village or support a girl in her college education. High school graduates can apply for a scholarship.
Professor Kristen Renn Higher Education Scholarship Application Form
Students kindly note that this is only an initial screening and information form, a detailed physical application form, a personal bank account in the name of the student and a latest original marksheet will be required to proceed with the scholarship.
Meet the People Who Support Us
We receive support in two ways: through guests who visit our village and pay for their village visit, and through people who directly support village girls in their college education.
Professor Kristen Renn
Professor Kristen Renn is the founder and driving force behind the higher education support initiative for our village girls.
Before her visit to our village in 2014, we supported girls only up to high school. During her visit, Dr Renn asked us a simple but powerful question:
“What happens after high school?”
This question changed our direction. With her guidance, and support, we started supporting girls in college education. Some students are supported through income from village tours, and others receive support from like-minded visitors and donors. The first student, Rekha, was offered the scholarship from Dr Renn, who became the first university graduate from our village.
For the past 12 years, Dr Renn has continuously supported at least one village girl every year by sending financial support directly to the student’s bank account — without a single break.
Dr. Renn also regularly motivates our Village Committee members and generously gives her time every year to inspire and guide enrolled village girls through online meetings.
Dr. Melissa McDaniels
Dr. Melissa McDaniels has shared a strong and lasting relationship with the Rusirani Village Committee for the past 12 years. Since 2015, she has supported one village girl each year in her higher education.
Her scholarship support covers full tuition fees and all essential educational expenses for the academic year. For the last 12 years, Dr. McDaniels has provided this support every single year without delay or interruption, and even early during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carol Measom
Carol Measom first visited our village in 2014 and generously offered to support scholarships for village girls pursuing college education. Since then, she has been a consistent and dedicated supporter, providing a scholarship every year without interruption.
Girls who completed their college education with her support are now skilled, employed, and confident individuals. One of them is working as a teacher, another as a BAMS doctor, and one as a healthcare worker, contributing positively to their families and communities.
Jared Pace
The Pace family (Jared, Natalie, and family) has been supporting the higher education of village girls through scholarships since 2019. Since then, they have continuously supported two students, each for a period of three years, providing a total of six years of dedicated support.
One of the students they supported successfully completed a B.Sc. in Nursing and is now working as a nurse. The other student chose to continue with further higher studies.
The Pace family’s support was especially meaningful during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great uncertainty. Their consistent financial assistance ensured that the students could focus fully on their studies without worrying about basic expenses.
Both students have demonstrated strong commitment and ability and are now skilled, confident, and progressing well in their professional journeys.
Steve Tredwell
Steve has never visited our village, yet his support has made a deep and meaningful impact. In 2023, when adventure bike rider Noraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots) visited our village and shared our education initiative online, Steve got to know about our work and reached out to us with generous support and warm encouragement.
This came at a crucial time, when many village girls were completing high school and seeking support for college education. Recognising the need, Steve stepped forward and began supporting our initiative.
Currently, he supports two students simultaneously in their college education. Both students are continuing their studies with confidence and are on a journey of transformation—gaining skills, education, and values to become capable and good humans.
Peter Donecker
Peter Donecker has supported our village without ever visiting it in person.
After learning about our work, he chose to support village girls’ higher education with trust and generosity.
At a time when many girls were completing high school and hoping to continue their studies, Peter stepped forward to help.
Through his commitment, Peter has shown that meaningful change does not always require physical presence — compassion and belief are enough to transform lives. Since 2023, Peter has been a continuous and strong supporter.
Noraly Schoenmaker
(Itchy Boots)
Noraly Schoenmaker, the bike rider known worldwide as Itchy Boots, visited our village during her motorcycle journey in 2023. Her visit was simple, warm, and deeply meaningful for our community.
During her time in the village, Noraly learned about our efforts to support village girls’ education, especially their journey from high school to college. She listened carefully, interacted with the community, and provided financial support directly to the Rusirani Village Committee to overcome the challenges of the girls.
After her visit, Noraly also shared our initiative on her online platforms. Her voice helped our story reach people across the world. This visibility led to new connections and support for village girls’ higher education, including donors who reached out to us after learning about our work through her.
Noraly’s visit and support played an important role in strengthening our education initiative and encouraging global friends to stand with our village girls.
Pinki Yadav
Pinki Yadav is the first and only girl from her family to reach university education, overcoming many challenges along the way. She later joined the Rusirani Village Committee and is now an active and committed member.
Since 2017, Pinki has personally supported one village girl every year in her college education through a scholarship. Along with this, she plays a key role in managing village visits and handling various responsibilities of the Rusirani Village Committee. She also actively encourages and helps connect village girls with external supporters for higher education.
Sharing her experience, Pinki says:
“Because our village is located within the Sariska Tiger Reserve, it has no electricity, mobile networks, and proper road access. These challenges make education more difficult for girls than for boys. External support plays a vital role in helping village girls achieve their dreams. Over the years, I have seen girls become skilled, employed, and empowered, which is truly encouraging.”