World Environmental Day June 5th, 2025

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Today, on World Environmental Day, we are proud to announce the establishment of the Lakhia Abiraj Climate Education Fund, which has been launched to raise funds to provide access to climate education at no cost to low to middle-income communities in highly vulnerable climate regions which are at heightened risk of being impacted by extreme weather patterns.

President & Co-Founder Nesha Abiraj, dedicated the climate education fund to her late paternal grandmother Lakhia Abiraj. Lakhia, as most girls growing up during the 1920s & 1930s, felt the loss of not being able to have the right to an education throughout her life. She often recounted how her older brothers' education were prioritized. In her curious spirit and in pursuit of a deep desire to learn, she would hide and borrow reading materials from her brothers, to teach herself how to read.

When she got married and went on to become a mother to 7 children she ensured her daughters as well as her sons had equal access to a formal education. This was a rarity during this era as most communities were deeply entrenched in patriarchal norms.

As a grandmother and great grandmother, she also supported and encouraged her grandchildren's educational and professional pursuits. She became the proud grandmother to a family of first generation lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, civil and aeronautic engineers, and information technology and cyber specialists.

In July of 2020, she departed this life with the knowledge and satisfaction that her children, grand and great grandchildren all had access to opportunities beyond what she could only dream of as a child. Today on World Environmental Day, we are proud to announce the establishment of this Fund, which will provide participants with the opportunity to learn through the Climate Rights Defenders Program. While there will be a minimum age to enroll, there is no cap on the age for older persons wishing to enroll. Persons with disabilities, another marginalized and under-represented community, are also encouraged to apply and enroll for this upcoming program. The climate crisis is a major driver of girls losing their access to education. This is especially the case in communities where poverty is endemic and social norms are largely patriarchal.

Lakhia's battle with Alzheimer's disease, influenced CRJI President & Co-Founder, Nesha Abiraj, to extend this educational program to older persons as meaningful and valued members of society. Several studies have shown that engagement in educational programs such as this, can assist in the prevention of early onset Alzhiemer's.

In continuation of her legacy to ensure every child has the right to an education, we look forward to your support in sponsoring students to enroll in this educational program. The Climate Rights Defenders Program is in the stages of development geared towards international accreditation to ensure students have a pathway for further educational advancement and/or transitioning into careers of the future.

You can donate today to the Lakhia Abiraj Climate Education Fund using the link below.

https://www.crjiusa.org/support-us