boy

For 3,000 years, I have been oppressed

This boy represents the 250 million Dalits (doll-leets) , formerly called Untouchable, who have been told by the upper castes of India that they are less than human. If even a Dalit’s shadow falls on an upper caste person, that person is polluted according to caste rules. The Dalit Freedom Network partners with the Dalits in their quest for religious freedom, social justice, and human rights by mobilizing human, information, and financial resources. Take a moment and learn about the most oppressed people of all humankind.

How the Dalit Freedom Network is Involved

boy_education

EDUCATION

Dalits want an English-based education for their children, recognizing the great benefits available for those educated in English. DFN's Dalit Education Centers are transforming the future for thousands of Dalit children. Read more

 
field_economic

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A key way to empower Dalits is to help them gain marketable skills and build a personal credit history. DFN's micro-loan and vocational training programs are helping Dalits take their first steps toward self-sufficiency. Read more

medical

HEALTHCARE

Dalits have little access to medical care, their children receive no vaccinations and preventable infectious diseases spread rapidly. We provide public health awareness, vaccinations and medical interventions. Read more

woman_child_rights

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Dalits suffer at the hands of authorities and high-caste leaders across India. We work with the government of India to pass new policies that protect Dalits, to ensure those laws and existing laws are enforced, and to protect the religious freedom of all people in India by combating anti-conversion legislation. Read more

IN THE NEWS

feed

Wall Street Journal on DFN schools and recent graduation

July 1, 2009

The South Asia bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal applauds DFN schools as an example of providing English langauge education to the marginalized. And he urges all schools in India to embrace English as the language for instruction.

Read Full Entry

In son's death, Dalit couple breaks an ancient taboo

July 1, 2009

A Dalit family from the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh donates their deceased son’s eyes. At four months old, he became the youngest organ donor in the recorded history of India.

Read Full Entry



OPINIONS

feed

Untouchability and the hug of the century

By Kancha Ilaiah
Michelle Obama’s unprecedented touch of Queen Elizabeth symbolized something that Indians dream about: true democracy which abolishes untouchability.

Read Full Entry

Death of a statesman: Indian Lincoln ignored

By Kancha Ilaiah
Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh, who stood by the oppressed, was ignored even in death. The oppressed will treat that as their own humiliation.

Read Full Entry

My sobering reality: The slumdog millionaire's India

By Joseph D’souza
The popular movie Slumdog Millionaire vividly portrays the challenges for India today. We can be part of the solution if we’re willing to see the truth.

Read Full Entry

SPONSOR A CHILD

girl01

Your support for a child will change their life forever!

Sponsor A Child Today

GET A FREE CLAY CUP!

clay_cup

DFN has chosen the clay cup™ to be the symbol of the oppression of the Dalits. For years, throughout India, Dalits were forced to drink out of clay cups which are then destroyed......

Read more & get a cup »

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE BLOG

image

Visit Joseph D’Souza’s International Justice Blog

josephdsouza.com

BUY A T-SHIRT.

Photobucket

Check out our new summer styles!

GET INVOLVED

You may already know about the Dalits or have just heard about their plight. We encourage you to get involved. We have opportunities for you to spread the word about the Dalits.

Get Involved!

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Stay informed on the progress of the Dalit people.



Please enter the word you see in the image below: