Compilation and Editing – Nikita Dewase
Sonkhamb – Gauri’s Inspirational Story
Pritam Nehare
From a very young age, Gauri loved learning. She successfully completed Class 7. Even when faced with denial of further education, she still wanted to continue.
Now promoted to Class 8, her family, however, did not want her to study further. This was the true beginning of her real journey.
Her parents refused many times, but Gauri stood firm: “I must study!” The family’s opinion was clear:
“Now she must learn household work. Our daughter has grown up. Her education should end here. Only Mayur and Tejal will continue studying.”
Days kept passing, but no one was ready to admit her to school. Deep inside, Gauri felt: “My dreams are not so small. I will surely do something different.”
Around this time, our Riyaz Ghar Project began. When we visited the hamlet to meet children, we took the responsibility of enrolling Gauri. The first step was convincing her parents about the importance of education. It was difficult, but not impossible. With persistence, we explained, collected her TC and documents, and finally got her admitted to the school in Metpanjara in Class 8.
Today, Gauri goes to school regularly and learns something new every day. Watching her study at home and progress, her parents now proudly say:
“Our daughter’s education must not stop!”
Slowly, the family environment also changed. The same parents who once resisted her studies now stand firmly by her side. They realized that stopping their daughter’s education would mean taking away her dreams. No matter how hard the circumstances, if one refuses to give up and faces them bravely, success surely follows. Gauri’s story is living proof of this.
Now she walks to school by herself, learns, and dreams. Her biggest dream is to become a teacher one day.
Surely, her dreams will take flight!
Chakri Ghat – Children’s Exciting School Experience
-Navinata Dongre
Until now, we had been teaching the children while they sat at the hamlet. But now, we felt that they should experience learning in a real school. So, preparations began to take the children to school.
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When we reached the hamlet, the children were overjoyed to see us. Since it was their first time going to school, excitement and happiness were visible on every face.
Dressed in their new school clothes, the children proudly showed themselves to us. With such neat preparation, they looked beautiful. Looking at each child filled our hearts with joy. The expressions on their faces were truly wonderful. The parents were also eager to send their children to school. Seeing them, it was clear that the children wanted to learn, and the parents were putting aside their own work to get the children ready for school. Their faces reflected immense happiness as they accompanied the children.
All the children were ready and waiting for the vehicle. While waiting, they eagerly asked, “Madam, when will the vehicle come?” Hearing this was heartwarming. The parents lovingly advised their children, “Stay well in school and study properly.” This touched our hearts deeply.
When the vehicle arrived, the children were thrilled. Everyone hurried to get a seat. Once inside, they began chatting excitedly: “We will make new friends in school!” The older children explained to the younger ones, “Stay quiet in school, don’t misbehave.” Yet, a question lingered in our minds: “Will the children stay together? Will there be any fights?” As the day progressed, these worries gradually disappeared.
At school, the children listened quietly to the teachers, played together, and learned new things. They enjoyed their meals together while making new friends. The special thing was that none of the children were stubborn; they took their own plates, ate well, and washed them afterward without complaints.
All the children mingled, played, learned, and were extremely happy.
Asola – Rakhi Celebration: A New Direction in Learning
-Prachi Borekar
Rakhi was approaching, and everyone including our children was excited! Usually, we buy ready-made Rakhis, but this time, we wanted to do something different.
So, we and the children decided: “We will make the Rakhis ourselves.” Together, we started this project based on the beautiful idea: “Let Rakhi be a celebration of creativity.”
At first, there was a little doubt: “Can we really make Rakhis?” But as we started, the atmosphere became vibrant and lively. Seeing colorful papers, beads, shiny lace, and ribbons, the children’s eyes lit up. Each child began creating Rakhis according to their imagination. Some made flower-shaped Rakhis, some drew cartoon characters, and some designed unique Rakhis with letters. Their creativity and enthusiasm were truly visible. Honestly, their Rakhis turned out more beautiful and attractive than ours!
A funny thing happened during the process: while making Rakhis, we often made mistakes, but the children guided and taught us. It was as if the roles were reversed we were students and they were teachers! Seeing the confidence on their faces erased all our tiredness. Through this activity, we also learned a lot about patience, teamwork, and most importantly, the joy of working together.
Once the Rakhis were ready, the next step began selling them. Initially, we wondered, “Will selling Rakhis be easy?” But seeing the children’s excitement, we stayed patient. Even though the school had just ended and the sun was scorching, the children’s energy was overflowing. Together, we set up a small Rakhi stall in the hamlet. At that moment, the sparkle in the children’s eyes and the confidence on their faces were evident.
People came to look at the Rakhis, and the children called out in sweet voices: “Sister, brother, please take a Rakhi! The children made it themselves it’s very nice!” Witnessing their innocence and warmth, many people happily bought the Rakhis.
Gradually, most of the Rakhis were sold. Every time someone bought a Rakhi, the joy on the children’s faces was indescribable. Those moments became etched in our hearts forever.
This entire experience was incredibly joyful and educational for us. The initial question “How will we sell the Rakhis?” slowly transformed into a valuable lesson. The simple act of making and selling Rakhis became a stepping stone for the children’s future. Through these small efforts, the children took a big step towards education and life skills.
From this project, we realized that a true Rakhi is not just a thread it is a beautiful opportunity to nurture relationships, express love, and encourage creativity.
This experience will remain in our memories forever not because we earned money by selling Rakhis, but because we came together to share joy, build confidence, and learn valuable lessons.
Bothali – A Unique Parents Meeting
Rohini Kalabhut
After a month of working on the boat school, we still hadn’t had a proper conversation with the parents. So, it was decided to organize a parent meeting.
As a teacher, this was the first time I would be directly interacting with all the parents. Naturally, I felt excited and curious, but there was also a little fear how would the parents respond? What would they think?
No matter how busy they were with their daily work, the parents managed to take time out and arrived on time. We had planned some small activities for them, like the balloon game and the glass game. I wondered, “Will grown-ups really play these games?” But when everyone participated wholeheartedly, for a few moments it felt like the adults had become children again laughing and enjoying freely.
After the games, the parent meeting began. One by one, I shared about each child’s academic progress and their growing interest in learning. As they listened, there was a special sparkle in the parents’ eyes. It was clear from their faces that they felt reassured something good was happening for their children. Some parents asked questions, some shared their concerns, and we gave them satisfying answers.
At the end of the meeting, one elder sister said, “Teacher, no matter how you teach the children, we are with you. What matters is that they should study and move forward in life.”
Her words built a bond of trust for me. After this parent meeting, a new relationship was formed with the parents one of faith, cooperation, and shared progress.
Thanthan – Ajay and the School of Dreams
Pragati Bandebuche
For the past six weeks, I have been teaching children from the Bharwad community at Thunthun Beda. Every day, as I walk to this school, my mind fills with different thoughts.
What should I teach today? How will the children respond? Will I get to see those bright smiles on their faces? Every single day here brings new experiences, new stories.
This school stands inside a tiny hut with tin-sheet walls, a tarpaulin roof, and a floor of bare mud where the children sit. Outside, there may be scorching heat, drops of rain, or gusts of wind. Yet inside this little hut, a new world is created each day because within it, eyes shine with big dreams.
One day, my class was a bit noisy. The children were playing; some were teasing each other, others were humming songs. To calm them down, I asked a question:
“What do you want to become when you grow up?”
For a moment, silence spread across the room. The children looked at each other. Then, a boy named Ajay slowly stood up. There was a hint of hesitation on his face, but with confidence in his voice he said,
“After studying here, I want to go to a big school. Then I want to become a police officer.”
His simple yet determined words suddenly filled the classroom with energy. One after another, the children began to rise Kisan, Sanju, Haresh. One wanted to be a doctor, another a teacher, another an engineer. At that moment, it felt as though dreams born in this tiny hut were already reaching the sky. The walls may have been made of tin, but there were no walls to block these dreams.
Hearing the children, I realized: though they have fewer resources, their determination and dreams are vast. The confidence shining in their eyes was the greatest lesson for me.
In that instant, the noise in the classroom faded away. The laughter and games stopped, and everyone returned to their studies with focus. In the quiet hut, only the scratch of pencils and the sound of chalk on the slate could be heard. Deep inside, I felt just one thing these children will surely achieve their dreams. Because dreams are big, but even bigger is the courage to make them come true.[/read_more]