Send a Child in India to School for a Year

For 11-year-old Sapna, going back to school was not as simple as it may seem.

Sapna, from the Banjara community in Karan village of Rajasthan, had dropped out of school because of financial difficulties, family concerns, and the distance she had to travel to reach school. At home, there were also expectations that, as a girl, she should stay home, help with household responsibilities, and eventually get married at an early age.

With regular dialogue and counselling, Sapna joined Seva Mandir’s Shiksha Kendra (Bridge School). She began attending regularly and, over the next year, received consistent support with her studies, especially in reading and writing.

Slowly, something began to change. Sapna became more confident in her learning and started taking greater interest in her studies. Her Shiksha Kendra instructor also kept in regular touch with her parents, speaking with them about the importance of education and sharing the changes they were seeing in Sapna.

Over time, her parents began to see what Sapna could achieve if given the opportunity to continue her education. After nearly a year at the Shiksha Kendra, Sapna was mainstreamed into Class 5 at a regular school.

For Sapna, this was more than moving from one school to another. It was an opportunity to continue learning, build her confidence, and imagine a different future for herself.

Stories like Sapna’s remind us that sometimes, a child simply needs someone to keep believing in their education and to support the family along the way.

Your support helps make these second chances possible. By supporting Seva Mandir’s education initiatives, you help children like Sapna return to learning, strengthen their foundations, and move towards a future with more choices and opportunities.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping children get the opportunity to learn, grow, and continue their education.

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir Facebook Page
• Friends of Seva Mandir US