Building expression of children from underserved communities through stories

Sonbhadra, the second-largest district in Uttar Pradesh, is home to the highest tribal population in the state, exceeding the national average at 20.7%, making it a significant tribal region in our country. It is grappling with educational challenges, ranking among the bottom 20 districts on NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme.

Here's the stark reality-

In Sonbhadra, three out of every ten families have never set foot in a school. For those who do attend, our survey reveals that four out of ten students struggle to identify fewer than four out of five Hindi letters correctly. Additionally, two out of every ten children who manage to pass the 8th grade do not progress beyond elementary school, resulting in a staggering 7.2 lakh students dropping out. This cycle perpetuates a sense of neglect and identity loss among these children from underserved communities.

Such is the plight of children like Sandhya who aspires to be a teacher so she can bring change in life of children coming from such communities. Not just her but for lakhs of students attending public schools, their exposure to literature is confined to lacklustre textbooks devoid of context. In such a scenario, expecting a child to become an engaged learner and expressive individual is a far-off dream, especially for those who are first-generation schoolgoers from marginalized backgrounds. This is why building hope in the lives of such children is critical for larger social welfare.

Our Solution Model

In 2018, Upkram embarked on a mission in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, driven by a vision of educational equity and positive transformation. We firmly believe that every child, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or geographical location, deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our engagement focuses on empowering communities to champion education within their villages and transform the perception of government schools in society.

Through our "Padhne Ki Ghanti" program, spanning one year, we establish vibrant children's libraries in partner government primary schools, providing crucial support for foundational literacy. These libraries serve as the centre of independent learning for children from underserved communities in Sonbhadra.

Here's how we make a difference:

• Distribution of Books for the Library: Each partner school receives a carefully curated collection of high-quality children's literature to build a vibrant library.
• Engaging Children with Quality Literature: We offer weekly opportunities for independent reading, storytelling sessions, reading aloud, and library activities, all expertly facilitated by our team.
• Capacity Building of Teachers: We conduct monthly discussions with teachers, focusing on language-related topics such as language teaching, library activities, and the concept of language education.

Through these quality learning opportunities, we bridge educational inequities, promoting the inclusion of students from marginalized communities. Investing in quality education is our path to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Our Impact

Currently, we are actively involved with eight partner government schools and one community, impacting the lives of 2,000 children.

In 2022, we witnessed remarkable progress:

• 8% Increase in Student Attendance: Compared to the district average of 49%, our partner schools achieved a 57% attendance rate in the 2022-23 academic year.
• 30% of Grade 6 Students Achieved Age-specific Literacy Skills: In Govt Primary School, Salibanwa, we saw a significant improvement, with 30% of graduated Grade 5 students able to read and write, compared to a mere 5% in 2022.
• Enhanced Classroom Engagement and Self-Expression: By incorporating the use of the mother tongue and creating a fear-free learning environment, we observed noticeable improvements in student classroom engagement and self-expression.

After a year-long journey, a gratifying moment happened read the below letter.

What do we want to achieve?

Your contributions will enable us to achieve the following:

1. Develop Children’s Libraries in 10 Government Partner Schools: We aim to establish well-equipped children's libraries in ten government partner schools.
2. Establish 'Jhola Library' in Malin Basti, Chopan Block: We seek to provide access to quality literature to community children by establishing a 'Jhola Library' in Malin Basti, Chopan Block.
3. Develop 3 Local Women Leaders: We aim to empower and develop three local women leaders who will bring positive changes to village schools.

Join us in creating opportunities!

Working in remote tribal regions presents unique challenges, from workforce limitations to resource scarcity. We are striving to raise Rs. 10 lakhs to sustain and expand our efforts, providing valuable learning opportunities to 2,000 students from disadvantaged communities in Chopan, Sonbhadra, so they can continue their education.

Your contribution of Rs. 750 can profoundly impact a child's life. Every donation, whether small or large, represents a step toward a more equitable society. Walk the extra mile with us by donating to this campaign and sharing it with your friends and family! Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these deserving children. Act now to empower the future generation!