2023-2024 Annual Report
The 2023-2024 Annual Report for Butterflies NGO is now available! Visit our Annual Reports page to view and download the latest report and explore reports from previous years.
British Airways CEO to Visit Butterflies, Celebrating 100 Years of BA in India
As part of British Airways’ ongoing collaboration with Butterflies through its flagship charitable program, Flying Start, CEO Sean Doyle will visit Butterflies on October 17. This will be Mr. Doyle’s first visit to a BA-supported organization, and both the children and the Butterflies team look forward to welcoming him. During…
Butterflies USA Donates $48,000 to Support Education in Uttarakhand
With the generous contribution of $48,000 from Butterflies USA, Butterflies NGO has expanded its education intervention program in Uttarakhand. This initiative, undertaken at the request of the Uttarakhand Labor Department, aims to provide essential educational support to children from migrant worker families. The program ensures that children can continue their…
Butterflies NGO Co-Sponsors Mental Health Workshop
In honor of World Mental Health Day 2024, Butterflies NGO co-sponsored a workshop on Social Work Methods & Mental Health, featuring insights from Director Rita Panicker and Head of Programs JB Oli. The workshop, held on October 19, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., focused on effective social work…
Butterflies Kicks Off Annual Youth Football Tournaments
In partnership with the Delhi Youth Football League, Butterflies organized the first of two football tournaments for senior and junior teams this August. The second tournament will be held in October, with a new girls’ team joining the league competition. Referees from the Liverpool FC Fan Club will officiate the…
Congratulations to 2024 BSCC Graduates
Butterflies USA is happy to report that nineteen students (9 girls and 10 boys), who were part of the Butterflies School of Culinary & Catering (BSCC) program, have successfully completed their 12th grade studies, with most gaining acceptance to Delhi University. One of the students is now pursuing graphic design,…
Delhi’s Children Senior Football League
On January 30-31, 2024, Butterflies NGO organized the highly anticipated Senior Football League, featuring 90 children grouped into teams from various contact points competing against one another. This league served as a vibrant platform to unite children aged 14-18, fostering camaraderie through their shared passion for football. It successfully cultivated…
Commemorating Blue Umbrella Day 2024
On April 14, 2024, Butterflies NGO observed the Blue Umbrella Day (BUD) campaign, a significant initiative that sheds light on the sexual abuse of boys. BUD calls adults to action, urging them to enhance their efforts in safeguarding boys and nurturing their well-being. Created by Family for Every Child (FFEC),…
Scrumptious Recipes by Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering
Dear Supporters, As promised, below you'll find this year's book of scrumptious recipes supplied by the genius culinary crew at the BSCC. This is our thank you for donating to this year's hugely successful crowdfunding effort to support Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering. Thanks to your big-hearted support, Butterflies'…
CHILDLINE 24/7 operated by Ministry of Women and Child Development as of August 1, 2023
CHILDLINE has been a key program for Butterflies NGO and Butterflies USA grants have helped fund salaries for this staff-intensive operation. On May 31, 2023, the Ministry of Women and Child Development informed all NGOs that as of August 1, 2023, each state government will operate this service. Following the…
Reflection Workshop on Children’s Cooperatives at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra
From July 17 to July 23, 2023, Butterflies NGO organized a reflection workshop on Children's Cooperatives at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi. 21 children participated in the 4-day gathering, which this year featured two new interactive methodologies to foster heightened engagement. Starting off the gathering, child representatives debated the topic…
Celebrating the Career Journey of Monu, BSCC Alum
Monu's journey in the culinary world started when he joined Butterflies NGO's School of Culinary and Catering (BSCC), a renowned institution in Delhi. Here, he became a part of Chakhle Dilli Catering, a catering service that had a unique philosophy of "YOU BUY, THEY STUDY." This philosophy meant that every…
The International Conference on Mental Health
In May 2023, the International Conference that Butterflies NGO hosted sealed the commitment among mental health professionals, academicians and practitioners to work together to make the emotional well-being of children and youth, and stable, viable families a key part of government funded public health services and state schools. Key issues…
The Mobile Education Program in Delhi & Uttarakhand
[embed]https://www.facebook.com/ButterfliesUSA/videos/1656337998166932/[/embed] Butterflies NGO's Mobile Education Program, known as Mobile Learning Center (MLC) reaches out to children in the most remote areas of Delhi & Uttarakhand to bring out of school children and children affected by disasters in the education net by providing quality education till the last mile. The program…
Butterflies NGO Hosts British Airways Crew
This article was updated on September 17, 2023 to reflect more details about the visit. On June 14, 2023, Butterflies NGO hosted a British Airways crew of 10 members for a day program which included a contact point visit, interaction with management and staff, a luncheon catered by Butterflies School…
Replay: Interview with Rita Panicker and Dr. Rahul Prasad for India Giving Day 2023
About the Interview Watch a special interview featuring Rita Panicker Pinto, Executive Director, Butterflies NGO, and Dr. Rahul Prasad, Board Director, Butterflies USA. The discussion focuses on topics such as Butterflies' new initiatives and needs in 2023 Impact donations from Butterflies USA have in bolstering critical programs The welcome trend…
Welcoming Guest Faculty and Celebrating Graduates at Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering
India’s first catering institute for street connected teenagers and young persons, Butterflies School of Culinary and Catering (BSCC), welcomed guest faculty and celebrated the graduation of trainees. Guest faculty from eminent institutes continue to offer the trainees both theoretical and hands-on sessions. In September 2022, Ms. Chitra Awasthi, Director of…
Butterflies NGO Children Participate in Mental Health Programs
In October 2022, Butterflies NGO hosted several mental health programs to teach children self-care techniques to support their well-being. Positive Parenting In order to build positive social norms for caring and protecting children and preventing sexual violence against boys, a training on Gender and Masculinity was organised for parents. Parents…
800 Children from Delhi Child Rights Club Celebrate World Children’s Day on November 20, 2022
800 children from Delhi Child Rights Club, a Butterflies NGO initiative, with an alliance of 21 non-governmental organizations working with children in Delhi, celebrated World Children’s Day at Central Park, Connaught Place on November 20, 2022. The celebration, which had dances, drawing, painting, spoon race, hand painting and balloon flying,…
Butterflies NGO Children Win Top Prizes at World Habitat Day – October 2022
On October 3, 2022, the United Nations hosted World Habitat Day (WHD 2022) under the theme "Mind the Gap. Leave No One and Place Behind," which looks at the problem of growing inequality and challenges in cities and human settlements. Butterflies NGO is proud to announce that our children won…
Butterflies Broadcasting Children Celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day
On August 15, 2022, Butterflies Broadcasting Children were invited by the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication to anchor a special radio show for India's 75th Independence Day. Congratulations to our little child reporters. Learn more at Butterflies NGO.
Meet the new Delhi Children’s Football League
Space for Celebration | Many street connected children are denied the freedom to play and participate in sports. Some of the reasons for this are lack of safe spaces and opportunities to play due to their socio-economic situation. Play and sports are considered to be cornerstones for children’s health. It…
Butterflies USA Annual Report 2021
Our 2021 Annual Report is now available here. Butterflies USA Annual Report 2021
2022 Gerry Pinto Memorial Annual Lecture
“Social Work Education and Practice – Looking back, Looking Ahead” was the theme of the 2022 Gerry Pinto Memorial Annual Lecture held on April 30 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. More than 110 participants from 30 grassroots organizations, colleges, research institutes and practitioners across India participated in the…
Replay: International Social Work Month – Nurturing Childhood Webinar
In observance of International Social Work Month, Butterflies NGO founding director Rita Panicker convened a first-of-its-kind webinar on Nurturing Childhood. Butterflies NGO's core belief that children have a basic human right to live in a safe, protective family and within a community environment that fosters their physical, emotional and social…
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Violence Against Boys
Around the world, 1 in 6 boys experiences sexual abuse; many more are exploited or exposed to inappropriate sexual materials. The evidence indicates that the situation in India is also not different and underreporting keeps the magnitude of the issue hidden, as elsewhere. These experiences are having long-term negative consequences…
Tour Butterflies’ New Home in Delhi
It is a pleasure to share with you today a long-awaited Butterflies’ milestone, the opening of its own Eco-friendly facility built with funds raised in the States and Germany, with financial support from valued friends like you. Click here for the short video which captures the innovative methodology used to…
How the Child Social Protection Committee Prevents Violence Against Children
A few years ago, Butterflies set up community-based participatory structures to prevent violence against children. The result is a Child Social Protection Committee (CSPC) comprised of parents, children, local government representatives (such as police officers and social workers) and teachers. The CSPC members are trained by the staff to collectively…
Rita Panicker Wins Innovation Award
Rita Panicker, founder of Butterflies in 1989, is this year's OCDC awardee for International Cooperative Innovation. In 2001 Butterflies launched the children’s development Khazana a life-skills education program that educates children on democratic values and financial management. The Children’s Development Khazana is a cooperative managed and owned by children with…
India Battles Covid and Record Pollution
The Washington Post reports Delhi is battling both toxic air and a record surge in coronavirus cases. Doctors and scientists say the combination will have deadly consequences, as exposure to pollution increases the risk of severe respiratory illnesses. Air pollution also makes people more prone to infections, they say. India…
Self Starters
The children suggest the topics as well as the Interviewees who have included other street kids as well as the visiting economic minister of Germany, a local police chief, a school psychologist (on test anxiety) and a soccer coach on sports & emotional IQ. During the lockdown when they couldn't…
Railways Begin Partial Opening Up Across India
Dramatic headlines shout today's partial resumption of service on India's gargantuan railway system, eerily dormant for 2 months. Exempted from curfew, Butterflies staff kept Nizamuddin Railway CHILDLINE operating 24/7 during lockdown, tracking lost and missing kids as well as youth workers stranded when the trains stopped. Mobile phones, computer files,…
India’s Young Dreamers
In Snigdha Poonam’s new book "Dreamers: How Young Indians Are Changing the World", we get an inspiring look at how India's youth is shaping a new future, less constrained by the stratification of past generations. Review Except: "In attempting to understand the motivations and inspirations of the youth, (the author) asks,…
Significant Decline in Child Marriages Across India
At least 1.2 million children are married in India in violation of a law that sets a minimum marriage age of 18 for females and 21 for males. But there has been a decline in child marriages in the last decade, Unicef stated in March. Some 47% of all females…
Indian Music School Makes Dreams Come True
In a remote Himalayan community in India, admission to a school set up by a Canadian Jesuit priest meant more than a meal ticket for the children on the lowest rung of the traditional social hierarchy; each student was also given a violin. Link to this heartwarming story here.
Street Child World Cup 2018!
A remarkable annual tournament gives street kids a place to shine! The Street Child World Cup to be held in Moscow this Summer 24 teams from around the globe compete in a highly anticipated Soccer tournament that occurs every 4 years The childrens’ lives on the street have prepared them…
Hate Crimes Against Kids Gets the Focus
An engaging and alarming article recently published by Al Jazeera gives light to marginalized populations, and children especially, who lay victim to hate crimes. Hate crimes against children of marginalized populations in India need greater attention as solutions are sought. Exposure to violence can have a lasting impact on a…
Our 2017 Crowdfunding Campaign Up & Running!
For 2017, our year-end appeal focuses on one of Butterflies' most essential programs: Children's Khazana (Children's Bank). Please look for our announcement as we commence this critical fundraising effort. Thanks to people like you, Butterflies USA has raised more than $35,000 for essential programs to lift up street children throughout…
International Child Health Cooperative Workshop in New Delhi
Butterflies hosted an International Child Health Cooperative Workshop in New Delhi from May 19-21, 2014. Participants included 42 youth members of Child Health Cooperatives (CHCs) and representatives of 18 NGOs representing 6 countries (India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan and Ghana). The children learned about diseases such as cholera and…
“Flow for a Cause” Raises Awareness & Funds
On May 3, 2014 Butterflies USA Board Member Loren Bassett led an evening yoga flow class at Pure Yoga in New York City to benefit Butterflies. “Flow for a Cause” has become a semi-annual event attended by friends of all ages and ability. This year's event brought together our community…