Education for Nomadic Potraj Children-Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow

The Potraj community is a little-known nomadic tribe spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. For generations, they have dedicated their lives to serving Goddess Laad Lakshmi/Mariaai/Durga. Their nomadic lifestyle means moving from place to place, seeking alms door-to-door.

This constant migration creates huge challenges for their children. Most Potraj children are left out of proper schooling because:

• High dropout rates – families keep moving.
• Language barriers – their language has been influenced by the dialects of the states they travel through, making it harder to adjust in schools.
• Discrimination and neglect in classrooms.
• Poverty and cultural pressures that push children into child labour.
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At Swa Surajya Foundation, we created Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in 3 rural areas of Belgaum district – Nipani, Chikodi, and Hukkeri – where 60 Potraj children now have a safe, welcoming space to learn every day.

In our CLCs, children receive:

• Foundational learning – language, numeracy, science.
• Life skills – communication, hygiene, financial literacy, decision-making.
• Mentorship – from “Local Living Legends” who inspire them to dream bigger.
• Back to School program – we coordinate with parents, schools, and the community to ensure children attend school regularly and don’t drop out.

The change is already visible. We have helped 104 children re-enroll in schools, reduced dropouts by 80%, and prevented over 90 children from falling into child labour.

With your support, we can continue this journey—providing more Potraj children with the gift of education, dignity, and hope for a brighter future.

Together, let’s build hope and break the cycle.