In a few years from now, you will spot a young journalist on television. Watch out for ‘Sakshi Patel’, whose factual reporting style on the issues encountered by remote Indian villages will take you by surprise. There will be no mincing of words as she digs out solutions to the daily battles fought by children in these rural hinterlands, particularly when it comes to access to education. Sakshi will demand answers.

Her stories will be tinged with personal experience. After all, she is speaking about a subject close to her heart. Sakshi Patel will be a name to reckon with — one day.

But right now she is just a little girl with big dreams of becoming a journalist, as she tells me. The Jansa village in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where she lives, is home to a number of children like her; children whose parents are engaged in odd jobs such as boring wells, building homes and stone cutting, cleaning lakes and flower selling on the ghats (the area leading to the banks of the holy Ganges river).

Sakshi is a firm believer that simply dreaming is not enough; one has to act on these dreams for them to come true.

The nine-year-old girl is enrolled in the Jansa Primary School, which witnesses a footfall from a majority of the village children. However, for the last three years, Sakshi has been attending extra classes at a centre in her village, where her beloved Shyam ji chacha (uncle) devotes time to brushing up on her concepts, increasing her vocabulary, and playing with her.

“Mujhe yaha aana bahut accha lagta hai (I love coming here),” she says before running off to join her friends who have just started playing a game.

Shyam ji has created a centre in Jansa village in Varanasi where labourers' children are taught for free
Shyam ji has created a centre in Jansa village in Varanasi where labourers’ children are taught for free, Picture source: Shyam ji
The children who attend Shyam ji's centre come from very poor families and do not have access to food, books and sanitation facilities.
The children who attend Shyam ji’s centre come from very poor families and do not have access to food, books and sanitation facilities, Picture source: Shyam ji

When Shyam Shrivastav (65) started this center in Jansa village, he never fathomed it to amass so much love. It was simply an attempt at giving back to society, he says, referring to surviving a 2018 diagnosis of bone marrow cancer, which had progressed to the fourth stage.

“A point of no return,” his doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre in Delhi had pronounced. So, you can imagine their disbelief when two years later, Shyam ji showed excellent signs of recovery.

The center that he has set up in Jansa village is one of three — the other is at Rajatalab village and the third is at Ravidas Ghat. While each center caters to around 200 children at any given time, it is the Jansa center that needs your attention.

The children look forward to learning maths, English, physical education, social studies and more at the Jansa centre.
The children look forward to learning maths, English, physical education, social studies and more at the Jansa centre, Picture source: Shyam ji

A crumbling roof is killing many dreams

In 2023, NGO Pratham Foundation published an Annual Status of Education (ASER) report that spotlighted the gaps that exist in education in rural areas. After surveying 28 districts across 26 states, the report suggested 42 percent of children in the age group of 14 to 18 years in rural India cannot read easy sentences in English.

Why was this the case despite children being enrolled in schools where English was taught?

On interacting with the children in Jansa village, Shyam ji unearthed the reasons. “Most of these children are enrolled in schools but do not attend school. Their parents are engaged in odd jobs and do not have time to check on them. Most of them do not have food to eat and aren’t in good health, so, education takes a back seat,” he shares.

In an attempt to ensure that these children were not wasting their lives away, Shyam ji started his first center in 2019 at Jansa village where he hails from. The idea was simple — teaching a handful of laborers’ children under a neem tree. But this model wasn’t conducive for more reasons than one; it wrecked the children’s postures while the rain and scorching heat would play spoilsport many times.

Shyam ji asked around the village for help and used the donations he received — to the tune of Rs 6 lakh — to build a makeshift hall. However, he concentrated on the walls and foundation, so when they came to the roof, there weren’t any funds left.

Two tin sheets were fitted on top of the shelter to keep out dust, rain, and stones. But the contraption is of no use in times of heatwaves — as Shyam ji recently discovered when temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius earlier this month in Varanasi. While the villagers prayed to the rain gods for some respite, Shyam ji feared the worst. “When it rains heavily, the tin sheets will be useless. The rain will make its way inside the shelter and drench the students, their bags and books. I feel so sad to watch their plight,” he sighs.

The center at Jansa village that is built by Shyam ji needs a roof to prevent heat and rain from entering.
The center at Jansa village that is built by Shyam ji needs a roof to prevent heat and rain from entering, Picture source: Shyam ji
The tin sheets that are forming a protective covering over the center are starting to corrode and this is posing a problem to the children's education.
The tin sheets that are forming a protective covering over the center are starting to corrode and this is posing a problem for the children’s education

Article Rewrite: Improving Educational Facilities for Children in Rural India

In rural areas, the challenges faced by educational centers can have a significant impact on students like Sakshi and Sonakshi Patel. Cancelling classes due to infrastructural issues, such as a damaged roof, not only disrupts their learning but also hampers their aspirations. This article delves into the story of Shyam and his dedication to providing better educational opportunities for children in Jansa village, highlighting a tale of resilience and hope.

Table of Content

A Story of Resilience

Despite facing personal challenges, Shyam initiated educational centers, including the one in Jansa village, which became a significant hub for children seeking knowledge and growth. His own battle with cancer inspired him to make a difference in the lives of these young learners.

Shyam’s centers not only focus on academics but also provide holistic care, emphasizing the importance of a conducive environment for learning. Children like Sakshi and others from neighboring villages benefit from educational kits, nutritional support, and dedicated mentorship.

Providing Incentives for Education

The success of Shyam’s centers lies in the incentives they offer. Students receive educational materials, weekend meals, and occasional treats, fostering a positive learning atmosphere. The involvement of volunteers from organizations like Hope Welfare Trust further enhances the children’s experience, shaping their aspirations and ambitions.

Shyam ji not only teaches the children who come to the centre but also provides them with food, games, and a holistic education
Shyam ji not only teaches the children who come to the centre but also provides them with food, games, and a holistic education

Building a Brighter Future

By supporting initiatives like rebuilding the center’s roof, individuals can play a crucial role in shaping the future of students like Sakshi. Investments in educational infrastructure pave the way for brighter opportunities and empower young minds to strive for excellence.

Empowered with knowledge and resources, children like Sakshi hold the potential to become future leaders and changemakers in society. Your contribution can be the stepping stone for them to achieve their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.