Save the ‘Children of the Sundarbans’

The people living on the fringes of North and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal are vulnerable to multiple threats. This riverine area is not only remote and forested, it is also frequently ravaged by natural disasters like cyclones and tidal waves (Amphaan, Yaas). To add to that, proximity to a porous Indo-Bangladesh border leads to extensive human trafficking. The children of this area are extremely vulnerable. They face the constant threat of abuse and exploitation - child labour, early marriage, trafficking and lack of affordable, accessible quality education.

Children of Sundarbans

For every child to realize his/her full potential, holistic quality education is the bedrock. This can only thrive in a safe and fair community, for which other more critical survival needs have to be addressed first. In the face of deprivation and the absence of quality education, the children of the Sundarbans drop out of school early and spend their childhood in beedi making factories or fishing or as farm laborer. Rampant trafficking and early marriage add to their woes. Despite these challenges, these children are full of hope. Their curious minds are filled with ambition and zeal to turn their life around.

In this environment, Ms. Satarupa Majumder founded Swapnopuron Welfare Society in 2012. Pained by the plight of the children of the Sunderbans, she sought to rectify the situation. She dreamed of giving these children a world-class holistic education. 

Today, Swapnopuron runs six English-medium, CBSE-based schools at multiple locations in and around Hingalganj and employs more than 20 teachers. Most of the children enrolled in these schools are first-generation learners. With their accomplishments and proficiency, now they have begun to inspire their extended families and the local community to educate their children. Over the last eight years, nearly 1,000 children have been educated under the Swapnopuron banner.

Swapnopuron also conducts capacity-building initiatives in skill development for teachers as well as the children and their families. The organization has also done extensive relief work for the community during the cyclones Amphan and Yaas and throughout the Covid lockdowns.

Road Ahead

Support Completion of Construction of the Main School at Jora Bottola, Hingalganj

In 2018, SWS leased 1.2 acres of land in Hingalganj. Two years later, in 2020, we laid the foundation of the Swapnopuran Siksha Niketan school building. By August 2021, we had completed the construction of Phase 1, consisting of the ground floor. So far, this is the only operational section of our school. We run classes from Nursery to 5th standard from here. 

In February 2022, we commenced building the First Floor. We have been able to complete the RCC roofing, however much remains to be done. The brickwork, plastering, putty and electrical works await your urgent generosity. 

We have promised the community that we will expand this building to support education up till Class XII. This will include classrooms, administrative offices, toilets, library, laboratories. Brick-by-brick, we hope to achieve this target. 

Your kind contribution will go a long way to fulfill the dreams of the children of the Sunderbans. You can choose to Sponsor a Single Room or Lab, a Floor, or the Complete Building. The related facility will be dedicated to the Sponsor.

Total indicative cost for the completion of the School Building Project is Rs. 3 crores. This is including  

• Three floors  

• 14 Classrooms 

• Science Laboratory 

• Mathematics Lab  

• Computer Lab 

• Library 

• Sanitary facilities 

• Teachers' rooms 

• Principal's room 

• Office rooms

Sponsor a child's education

A majority of the children enrolled in our schools are first-generation learners and all of them come from underprivileged families. Some children even work part-time to supplement their family's income. For most of these families, a good education for their children is a distant dream. We strive to fulfill this dream, especially in view of their eagerness to learn.

Under our Education Sponsorship Program (ESP), a sponsored child will be provided with school fees, textbooks, uniforms, educational accessories and coaching support based on specific individual requirements. This will give them the freedom to learn, develop and gain employment – forever reversing the vicious cycle of poverty.

The total cost to support One child is INR 12,000/- per year (@INR 1,000/- per month).

Through the tireless efforts of our teaching staff, Swapnopuron was able to continue the education of 705 enrolled students online through out Covid. Our teachers took classes whenever the only mobile in the family would be available to the child. They crossed rivers and walked miles to hand-deliver worksheets to the children who did not have any device to attend online classes.

This fundraiser will help Swapnopuron to continue its services and provide quality education to the children of the Sunderbans, defeating disasters like poverty, pandemic and cyclones.

Tax Benefits

Donation for this campaign is eligible for tax relief, as the NGO is a registered trust. You can avail benefits under section 80G of the IT Act.

Updates on your Donation

Donors will receive a progress report of the project or of the child (if they are sponsoring a child's education). The donor can also visit the child at the location. 

A sponsored classroom/building will be dedicated in the donor's name or a name of his/her choosing.