URGENT: Our Team Supporting Brick Kiln Children’s Education Met With a Major Bus Accident — Help Them Recover

An update on the status of all our team members

Dear Friends,

On the night of July 17, tragedy struck.

Twelve of our team members - young, committed individuals who work every day to bring education to the most underserved children - met with a devastating road accident on their way back from Kanpur to Delhi. They were returning from a field visit, carrying stories, smiles, and the fire to do more.

In an instant, that journey turned into a nightmare. Since that day, our lives and work have changed.

We’ve been standing vigil across three hospitals, holding hands with families, making medical decisions, and trying to absorb the pain while ensuring no one feels alone. What we often speak of in our work - community, courage, compassion - we are now living, every single day.

Nirmala (Community Teacher Leader)

She works with children of seasonal migrants at brick kilns (Maatipathshala). Today, Nirmala is on a ventilator at AIIMS Trauma Centre. And we are holding space for her recovery — with hope and prayers.

Deepak (Project Head)

He leads our Community Leaders across locations - a pillar of strength and structure. Deepak’s leg was amputated after th e accident, but his determination is unwavering. Even from his hospital bed, he asks after the team, the programs, the children. A true leader.

Chanchal (Community Teacher Leader)

Once a student at our learning center, Chanchal became a dedicated teacher at Maati Pathshala, guiding children of migrant families. After the accident, she’s now awaiting spinal surgery at Max Panipat — but her spirit remains unshaken. 

Rocky (Young CTL, Maati Pathshala)

He brings energy and joy to our makeshift classrooms at the brick kilns. He is a favorite among children for his warmth and playfulness. He is recovering at Antara Caring Homes - Delhi, and often says, “thik hona hai taaki achche se kaam kar sakun dubara.”

Quiet Strength in Recovery

Anjani, Komal, Neha, Monika, Sanjo, Manju, and Saveeta - all other team members - have been discharged and are recovering at home. They worked across Maatipathshalas in Sonepat, Haryana. Their bodies may be healing slowly - but their desire to return to the work remains strong.

What We're Doing

We’ve begun to rebuild, even while we care:

• Bringing in interns to ease the pressure on field teams
• Hiring a Program Manager – Impact to support continuity
• Planning for a physically inclusive, emotionally sensitive office space
• Setting up systems for rehabilitation, mobility, and trauma support

We Need Your Support

Our revised crowdfunding goals now include:

• Long-term rehab and infrastructure support
• Mobility aids, surgeries, trauma therapy, and home modifications
• Financial stability for team members during this healing journey

Who Are They?

These are young educators and youth leaders, aged 18–30, working with Learning Initiatives For India (LIFI) to bring education to the most underserved children in rural and migrant communities.

They are part of LIFI’s grassroots teams running programs like:

Maati Paathshala – A school-of-the-soil for children of migrant brick kiln workers in Sonipat, Haryana. Through community classrooms and learning corners across 10 sites, over 400 children who were never enrolled or had dropped out are now back in joyful learning spaces.

CYRC (Children and Youth Resource Centre) – A center in Purkhas Rathi village that supports 100+ children and youth with remedial learning, STEM and computer education, and a thriving local library.

These young leaders are part of LIFI’s flagship program LeAD UR India (Leadership and Development in Urban and Rural India). Through their work, they walk miles daily to remote sites, create libraries, teach in learning spaces without walls, and work hand-in-hand with local families and panchayats to strengthen education.

They do this in service of LIFI’s vision: “पढ़ेगा हर बच्चा, बढ़ेगा हर बच्चा” (Every Child Thriving)

And its mission: “हर घर टीचर, हर बच्चे तक टीचर” (Every Household with a Teacher)

LIFI is a growing non-profit, and while we were in the process of setting up medical insurance and PF for our team, this tragic accident has come before that safety net could be put in place.

Contact for authenticity

📞 Raman Bahl/Shibasis Sahu

📧 raman@learninginitiativesforindia.org, shibasis@learninginitiativesforindia.org

🌐 https://www.learninginitiativesforindia.org/