Wilhelmsen Ship Management is proud to support Vacha, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of young girls living in underprivileged communities across India. Recently, we funded a new computer center at one of Vacha’s learning center. Equipped with new laptops, the computer center aims to provide these girls with tools essential to their education and personal development. Vacha, which focuses on helping girls from marginalized backgrounds build soft and hard skills, leadership training, and community engagement, strives to enable them to become active and productive members of society.

For girls living in the slums, access to technology is often a distant dream. However, with these new laptops, many girls now have a gateway to a world of opportunity. These laptops will allow them to develop essential digital skills that are increasingly critical in today’s job market. By learning to navigate digital tools, access online resources, and engage in virtual learning, the girls will gain skills they can carry forward, boosting both their confidence and their potential for future employment.

Carl officiates the opening of the computer center at Vacha’s learning hub.

Our CEO and President of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, Carl Schou officially inaugurated the new center in a small ceremony. To make the event memorable for the girls, we organized a live Microsoft Teams call with our global headquarters in Singapore. For many of the young attendees, this was their first time experiencing a virtual conference, giving them a glimpse into professional environments and global connections that might one day be part of their own careers.

The girls were delighted to experience a live video call from our HQ in Singapore.

Vacha is an initiative is chosen by the Wilhelmsen Seafarer Family club in India, led by Pratibha Baviskar, spouse of one of our longest-serving Chief Engineers, Sunil Baviskar, who has dedicated 37 years to Wilhelmsen. The project represents a shared commitment with our seafarers to social responsibility and community empowerment. We are proud to partner with Vacha in their mission to uplift and inspire young women, knowing that each laptop donated is a stepping stone for these girls toward a brighter, self-sufficient future. Together, we hope to help shape a new generation of empowered young women who will not only transform their own lives but also inspire change within their communities.

A heartfelt thanks to the Wilhelmsen Seafarer Family Club, Vacha and our colleagues in Ship Management India for helping us create an event with lasting impact.