A people’s movement towards education equity
In the heart of Dornapala, where dusty roads twist through remote villages, a young woman named Deve Kichche carries a legacy of resilience. Orphaned at a young age, Deve and her brother learned to survive through sheer will. But it wasn’t just survival that defined her—it was her heart for others.
During the pandemic, while the world paused, Deve did the opposite. Armed with little more than a bag of offline learning materials, she crisscrossed her village, ensuring that no child was left behind in their education. Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Shiksharth, the organisation she had volunteered for, saw something special in her—a fire to make a difference.
When the opportunity arose for her to teach, she embraced it fully, commuting daily to schools miles away, even after her marriage. Her fluency in the local language broke down barriers, allowing her to connect deeply with the students. Misma’s single-teacher school, a place often overlooked, became her new home. Her efforts? Nothing short of miraculous. Attendance shot up by 90%, and learning outcomes improved. Her students, once hesitant, now greeted her with bright eyes and eager minds. Her presence in their lives was not just that of a teacher but a beacon of hope.
At 24, Deve has already left a lasting mark on her community. Her dream? To continue teaching, to guide her students through the rocky paths of life, just as she had guided herself, one step at a time.
Small Steps, Big Dreams in Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu—a place where the past lingers heavily, where social inequalities can still dictate a child’s future. It’s here that Vidhya Vidhai’s ‘House System’ was born, not as a grand solution but as a humble idea—one small step towards bringing children together, making them feel seen, valued, and proud.
READ MOREFrom Zero to One in Bhagalpur
In July 2023, a small team from Involve arrived in Bhagalpur, Bihar, carrying more than just their bags—they brought with them a dream. Bhagalpur greeted them not with open arms but with the quiet scepticism of a town used to lofty promises. Yet, their journey, aptly named ‘From Zero to One,’ was never about instant success.
READ MORESharmila's Story of Resilience
Sharmila’s world shattered when her mother passed away during the pandemic. At just 18, she stood at a crossroads, a heavy burden on her shoulders. Her brother’s solution was simple: quit school, get married, and ease the family’s strain. But Sharmila, with her quiet strength, knew her path lay elsewhere.
READ MORESurmila Kisku’s Classroom of Change
In a small forgotten village of Bada Govindpur, where opportunities often feel as distant as the stars, a young woman named Surmila Kisku is quietly rewriting the story of education. Born into a Santhal family, where poverty was an ever-present shadow, Surmila knew the sting of missed chances.
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Every step towards education
