Why the Butterflies NGO Philosophy Excites Us

We believe that street children and working youth have unbridled potential to contribute to the Indian economy. That is why Butterflies USA proudly serves as a resource base for Butterflies NGO, Delhi’s leading child rights organization.

  • Butterflies’ non-institutional, participatory, rights-based ethos builds confident leaders whose collective actions benefit their families and the larger community
  • Butterflies’ award-winning approach to empowering children via innovative children’s cooperatives makes vulnerable youth self-reliant

Want to see how Butterflies’ children bolster their future in the world’s largest democracy, India?  Explore the programs we proudly support.

Butterflies NGO’s Programs

Child Protection

Butterflies NGO’s continuum of services rescues and restores kids in crisis. Its community outreach sensitizes stakeholders to forestall future child abuse.

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Children’s Cooperatives

Cooperatives are award-winning structures that encourage the full participation of its child members who practice democratic decision-making.

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Culinary School

Disadvantaged youth train for hospitality sector careers while completing their high school education. Trainees practice life skills such as decision-making and negotiation.

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Alliances, Research & Advocacy

Butterflies forms alliances with grassroots NGOs to share best practices and research and advocate for policy that enforces children’s rights.

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Butterflies NGO's Reach

1,200 Children

Annually, Butterflies interacts with 1,200 street children and their families at 8 open-air contact points across Delhi. Through innovative cooperatives, children get the resources they need to thrive.

43,000 Members

In 2021, 43,000 children in 14 Indian states and 7 Asian countries enrolled in the Children’s Development Khazana (CDK). CDK is a financial management program that teaches disadvantaged and working youth to save their money.

88,000 Futures

Over its 30+ year history, Butterflies’ cooperatives have shaped the future of 88,000 children in Delhi alone. With your support, we can help even more children realize their potential.

Get Involved

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Help us to expand our digital reach.

Host an Event

Supporters from a Brownie troop to collegiate Bollywood wannabees have hosted fundraisers for Butterflies USA.

Digital Giving

Butterflies USA's friends use a variety of digital platforms to make their gift.

A Recipe for Success for India’s Underserved Youth

For children living on the streets of New Delhi,
getting one good meal a day can be difficult — with opportunities for a successful future, even rarer still. Recognizing a valuable connection between children’s nutrition and healthy eating and youth livelihoods, in 2009 Butterflies expanded its community kitchen. Butterflies School of Culinary & Catering (BSCC) was created to provide practical training in culinary skills and entrepreneurship to street-connected youth.

But today, BSCC faces new challenges to serving its students. Help Butterflies by giving a tax-deductible gift that goes towards BSCC components such as: kitchen equipment, food supplies, student uniforms, training module development, job search support, and more.

Your support helps deliver opportunity in the lives of hopeful young students. Please donate today!