A Legacy of Love: Soudabeh’s gift to Pratham UK
At Pratham UK, we often encounter extraordinary stories of generosity and compassion, and the incredible Soudabeh Karimzadeh, known as Sudi, is one we have had the honour of being a part of in recent years. Sudi was a remarkable woman whose love for children has created a lasting impact on Pratham UK’s mission and left an inspiring legacy we’d like to share.
Sudi’s story
Sudi was a person who had a heart full of love for children. Although she did not have any children of her own, her nurturing spirit extended to her wider family, where she played a pivotal role in caring for and supporting her nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Sudi’s dedication to her family and her community was a testament to her selfless nature and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those she loved.
When Sudi passed away, she left behind a significant legacy. Understanding the profound impact that education can have on a child’s life, she decided to direct her estate towards benefiting children. She allocated half of her estate to a well-known children’s hospital and entrusted the other half to her executor, Seema, with the instruction to choose a deserving cause that changed children’s lives for the better.
Choosing Pratham UK
Seema, familiar with Sudi’s values and her passion for education, meticulously considered various children’s charities. After thorough research and reflection, she chose Pratham UK as one of the beneficiaries, donating a generous sum of £175,000. This decision was influenced by Pratham UK’s proven track record in transforming the lives of underprivileged children in India through innovative and scalable educational programmes such as the Teaching at the Right Level and Second Chance initiatives.
A lasting impact
Pratham UK worked with Seema to find a way to honour Sudi’s legacy by ensuring that her gift will have a lasting impact by using the interest generated from the donation and preserving a large proportion of the principal amount to sustain an urgent children’s education project over the next 20 years. This approach not only respects Sudi’s intention to create long-term benefits but also aligns with Pratham UK’s commitment to sustainability and effective fundraising management.
With the interest from Sudi’s donation, we have been funding a sponsored education programme for children aged 8-15 years in the Musahar community of Patna in Bihar where only 6% of the population are able to read and write.
The Musahar community are among the most marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged groups in India, facing severe challenges in literacy and education, with historically low school enrollment and high dropout rates due to entrenched poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to educational resources.
A long-term project such as this provides a wonderful legacy as it creates a ripple effect, empowering generations of children and enabling them to gain access to greater opportunities through quality education for years to come.
A legacy of hope
Sudi’s legacy is a powerful reminder of how one person’s generosity can create a lasting impact. Her love for children and her desire to support their education will continue to inspire and uplift countless young lives directly for at least another decade to come and it will help those children’s children for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to Seema for choosing Pratham UK and for her thoughtful decision to invest in a brighter future for underprivileged children in India.
Her legacy is now part of our story, driving us to continue fulfilling our mission.
Join us in making a difference through legacy giving
Sudi’s story is a testament to the power of legacy giving. If you are inspired by her generosity and would like to learn more about how you can leave a lasting legacy, please visit our legacy page.
If you would like to speak to someone about leaving a legacy to Pratham UK, please email our Executive Director, Nick Sankey: nick@pratham.org.uk.
Together, we can continue to transform lives through education and create a brighter future for children in need.