Mohamed and Gulie Hamir: Helping Girls Realize their Potential

Last year, long-time Pratham supporters Mohamed Hamir and his wife, Gulie, established the Zaleeya Beauty Center in West Bengal.

Since his retirement from a successful career in financial services, Mohamed has been passionate about causes involving female infanticide and the education of marginalized children. He was the executive producer of Petals in the Dust, an award-winning documentary exposing gender discrimination in India. He and Gulie wanted to create a legacy that would give girls in the region a chance to break the cycle of poverty.

Friends and fellow Pratham supporters Pravin and Sudha Mody served as an inspiration, having founded the Mody Technical Institute in Maharashtra. The Hamirs decided on the field of beauty, believing that self-presentation is as important as skills development. Despite restrictions due to COVID-19, the center has already trained 200 students, who are now prepared to build careers as beauticians and realize their potential.