🌱 The Hero
Pooja Kumari, a young woman from the small village of Nadia, West Bengal, has initiated a revolution of education and empowerment in her community. Despite facing numerous challenges, with sheer willpower and determination, Pooja has transformed the educational landscape of her village.
💡 The Journey
Being the daughter of a farmer, Pooja recognized the importance of education at a very early age. After earning her degree in Education from Calcutta University in 2015, instead of pursuing a lucrative career in urban areas, she decided to return to her village to bring about a change. She started teaching underprivileged children in her village, focusing primarily on girls’ education.
📚 The Initiative
Pooja started a community school in her house, with initially 10 students. Within two years, the number grew to 200. To accommodate the growing number of students, she mobilized the village community to construct a proper school building with help from local funds. The school now has 500 students with a 50-50 gender ratio, a huge achievement considering the gender disparity in rural schools.
📍 The Bigger Picture
Due to Pooja’s initiative, the literacy rate in her village has increased significantly. The school not only focuses on academic education but also stresses the importance of vocational skills, thus preparing the students for future challenges. Pooja’s story is a testament to the power of one individual’s commitment to the betterment of their community.
🌟 Takeaway
Stories like Pooja’s remind us that progress often starts with one person’s vision. Let’s take inspiration from Pooja’s determination and contribute to our communities in our own ways!