Ratlal Ji’s eyes would often wander to the government school building, a structure that stood as a testament to the village’s apathy towards education. For years, it remained a mere shell, a place where children would come, sit in class, and return home with little or no engagement.
But Ratlal Ji’s thoughts were not just consumed by the state of education in his village. His own family’s struggles weighed heavily on his mind. His daughter, Durgeshwari, was growing up, and he knew that education was the key to unlocking a brighter future for her.
Bodanala, the small village where Ratlal Ji lived, was nestled in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh, surrounded by dense forests and a well-known tourist spot Satrenga. Finding this village on a map might be difficult, but its people, their stories, and their resilience would leave you amazed at every turn. The village was home to the Manjwar community, where fishing and forest produce had long been the primary means of livelihood.
But the construction of the Bango Dam had a profound impact on the villagers. The dam’s waters had submerged their lands, leaving them with limited means of sustenance. Despite these challenges, Ratlal Ji found ways to provide for his family.
As he cast his nets into the river, Ratlal Ji’s mind began to churn with ideas. He knew that change wouldn’t come easily, but he was determined to make a difference. Fishing wasn’t his only source of income. He also cultivated a small plot of land, worked under the rural employment guarantee scheme, and collected seasonal forest produce like mahua, char fruits, and tendu leaves. His resilience and determination to make a living are a testament to his character.
Despite these challenges, Ratlal Ji always believed that education could be the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and drudgery.
“The biggest gap in our village was education,” he recalls. “Some children attended school, while many did not. Even those who came had no real interest in learning. I always felt that something needed to change. But the question was—where to begin?
ASPIRE’s arrival marked a turning point in the village’s history, bringing with them a revolutionary idea: that education was a community-wide responsibility.
Their vision was bold: to transform the ecosystem of learning. To achieve this, ASPIRE adopted a multi-pronged approach.
Their strategy was to train teachers in innovative methods, equipping them to inspire young minds. Meanwhile, they worked with parents, awakening them to the realization that education was not just a privilege, but a fundamental right for their children.
But ASPIRE didn’t stop there. They also empowered the School Management Committee (SMC) members, like Sukhsai Manjwar, to become active agents of change. Sukhsai recalls, “We were just names on a committee, unsure of our role. ASPIRE’s training sessions taught us how to lead, how to identify problems, and how to find solutions. We were transformed from mere members to guardians of our children’s education.”
Ratlal Ji’s dream of a better future for his village began to take shape. The once-stagnant waters of the village’s education system were now stirring, and a new era of possibility was unfolding.
The village’s transformation gained momentum as the School Management Committee (SMC) began to hold monthly meetings, diligently tracking the progress of every child. They made house calls to families of absentee students, gently coaxing them back to school.
In a bold move, the village even launched an anti-alcohol campaign, shutting down illicit liquor dens that had long plagued the community.
Samaylal, the village’s senior ward member, reflected on the journey, “We once thought change was impossible, but as we witnessed children’s education flourish and school attendance soar, we realized we had the power to make a difference.”
ASPIRE’s impact extended far beyond this village, empowering 254 School Management Committees across Chhattisgarh, involving 3,256 dedicated members. Through orientation training sessions, they raised awareness about children’s education and rights, sparking a movement that continues to grow.
Yet, the path to transformation is never without its challenges. Tragedy struck when an ASPIRE volunteer, who had grown dear to the children, passed away during childbirth. The school and village were devastated, but the SMC members rallied together, reaching out to ASPIRE to ensure continuity. Soon, Ishwari Ji, a new volunteer, stepped in, carrying the torch of change forward.
Building a New World with Small but Strong Steps
The small school, once on the brink of collapse, now bustles with life as all 37 children enrolled, with 97% attendance. The village held its collective breath as four students prepared to take the coveted Navodaya entrance exam, their success a beacon of hope for the entire community.
Ratlal Ji’s eyes burned with renewed determination as he shared his vision, “We dream of making this school a shining model for our region. We want our children to excel, to make the village proud.
The ripple effect of ASPIRE’s intervention was evident across the 77 panchayats of Podi-Uproda block, where 1,275 children have been mainstreamed into education, and 269 children are benefiting from residential and non-residential bridge courses.
Headmaster Tikaram Ji credited ASPIRE for transforming his approach to education. “Their training on creative Teaching-Learning Materials has revolutionized my teaching methods,” he said. His eyes sparkled with a new dream – to bring digital access to his school, a pioneering feat in Chhattisgarh, where students could unlock a world of e-books, videos, and digital storytelling.
Bodanala’s school had transcended its humble walls, becoming a living embodiment of hope. It stood as a powerful testament to the transformative magic that unfolds when a community comes together, claiming their rights and responsibilities, and working in perfect harmony with others.
