Ankita: A Project Gyandaan Story

Anjali studies in the 7th standard at the Government High School in Golasangli, Bijapur. She dreams of becoming a teacher one day, hoping to inspire children in her village to pursue education with confidence. “I want to help other children learn and grow,” Anjali says. “Education can change our lives.” Speaking about her family, Anjali shares, “I live with my parents and my younger brother. My father works as a daily wage labourer, and my mother takes care of our home.” Despite financial constraints, her parents have always encouraged her to attend school regularly. Her younger brother, who studies in primary school, often looks to Anjali for guidance. “We study together in the evenings,” she says. “I help him with his homework”

At school, Anjali is a sincere and attentive student. She enjoys studying languages and social science, often participating in classroom discussions. However, earlier, carrying her books to school was not always easy. “I didn’t have a proper school bag before,” she recalls. “I used to carry my books in my hands or in a plastic cover, and sometimes they would fall or get damaged, especially during the rainy season.” Walking to school with loose books made her journey uncomfortable and tiring, often forcing her to leave some notebooks behind. At times, she would even lose her stationery or misplace her books along the way, which unfairly disrupted her ability to focus on her studies and placed a financial burden on her family.

Through Project GyanDaan, implemented by Making The Difference Charitable Trust with the support of Interise Trust, Anjali received a new school bag along with 1,699 other students across government schools in Andhra Pradesh. “I felt very happy when I got the bag, it is my favourite colour”, she says with a smile. She adds, “Even while coming back home, I can help my mother by bringing small groceries in my bag.” The school bag has not only helped her organise her learning materials but has also given her a sense of pride and belonging now that she can focus completely on performing well academically.

Anjali’s story reflects the impact of interventions that may seem small but result in change that extends far in strengthening access to education. By addressing basic needs, initiatives like Project GyanDaan are helping students like her continue their academic journey with dignity and confidence, for a better future.