In the remote village of Phaguni, nestled about 40 Kilometers from the block town and 75 Kilometers from the district headquarters, childhood education once seemed like an impossible dream. With only 70 households primarily engaged in mica picking and selling, the community had long struggled with the absence of basic services.
The nearest Anganwadi centre and government school were eight Kilometer away—an insurmountable distance for children aged three to six. For years, the youngest members of the community either stayed at home or accompanied their parents to the mica fields, missing the vital foundation of early learning. Childhoods were cut short, and aspirations dimmed as children were denied their childhood rights like education and right to live, rather they were exposed to hazardous work environment when they accompany their parents to mica field
This reality began to change in January 2025 when Bhartiya Jan Utthan Parishad (BJUP), under its Community Empowerment Project-III started working in the area and identified the prevailing problem at the time of baseline survey & PRA, in July 2025 BJUP established a Balwadi Centre in the heart of Phaguni. For the first time, young children in the village had a safe and nurturing space to learn, play, and grow.
At the heart of the Balwadi Centre is Rani Kumari, a dedicated volunteer from the community. More than a teacher, she is a mentor and guide to the 30 children, age between 3-6 years, who now attend Balwadi centre regularly. Every morning, children gather eagerly for lessons filled with songs, rhymes, drawing, and play. Rani introduces them to alphabets, numbers, and stories while also instilling habits of cleanliness, sharing, and discipline. Her gentle, joyful approach ensures that learning is not just effective but exciting and a joyful experience for the children.
For many parents, this marks a firstseeing their children confidently holding slates, chalk, books, and pencils. One parent reflected: Father: Sakeldev Turiya and Mother: Anita Devi
“Earlier, our children just roamed around the village. Now they wake up excited to go to the Balwadi. They are learning things we never thought possible here in Phaguni.”
Balwadi has also become a safe haven for children while their parents work, easing the burden on older siblingsespecially girlswho previously stayed home to care for younger brothers and sisters. With their younger siblings safe at the centre, older children now have more time for their own education.
The impact is gradually getting visible in daily life. Children show improved discipline, healthier routines, and greater confidence. Parents, once anxious about their children’s futures, now see real opportunities for growth and learning
The story of the Balwadi Centre in Phaguni illustrates the power of grassroots initiatives in transforming rural education. This small intervention to bridge a gap left by the absence of Aanganwadiwill evolve into a movement that nurtures hope, learning, and opportunity for the youngest generation. The centre stands as a model for how localized, community-driven efforts can create lasting impactreshaping the trajectory of children’s lives and inspiring entire communities to dream bigger for the future.
