A Journey of Hope...!
In the village of Jagsara, 46-year-old Sitaram Bairwa worked hard on his small 1.5 bigha farm. Life was tough for Sitaram, his wife Mamta Devi, and their five children. With four daughters and a son to care for, financial struggles burdened them, especially with the costs of education rising.
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Things became even more difficult when Sitaram’s two eldest daughters, Shimla and Sundar, got married in 2017, taking loans that forced the family into deeper debt. Their younger daughters, Urmila and Archana, stayed home to help with farming.
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In 2015, Sitaram met Ramji from Nirmaan, as part of the Language Development program. Though the pandemic delayed literacy classes, Ramji built a good rapport with the villagers. In 2018, Sitaram shared his worries with Ramji, who suggested they explore goat rearing, vegetable farming, and daily wage work.​ Taking Ramji’s advice, Sitaram and Mamta started working as daily wage laborers in addition to farming. By 2021, they had made progress and began to pay off their debts, but financial pressure remained as their son’s wedding approached.​
​​​In April 2022, as the wedding date drew near, Sitaram felt the stress. He was hesitant to take out a loan due to past experiences. However, Ramji encouraged him to apply for a loan from Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank- Datwas under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, which offered a low interest rate. After some thought, Sitaram agreed and secured a loan of ₹60,000/-. With Ramji's help, the bank increased the loan to ₹1,10,000/-.
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Even with this support, the wedding costs were still high. Ramji then connected Sitaram with a self-financing institution that provided an extra ₹1,00,000/- without needing collateral, though at an 18% interest rate. This arrangement allowed Sitaram to manage the monthly payments and gather enough for his son’s wedding.
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By 2023, Sitaram had successfully paid off his debts. The following year, he took another step forward by securing a loan from AU Small Finance Bank in Jaipur to buy more land.
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Today, Sitaram’s life has changed for the better. The burden of debt is lighter, and he feels more confident managing finances. He is no longer worried about his younger daughter’s future, knowing he has made smart investments and found a second source of income through daily wage work.
Sitaram Bairwa’s story shows how support and guidance can make a big difference. With Nirmaan and Ramji’s help, he not only improved his family’s financial situation but also created a brighter future for them all.
In Jagsara, he stands as a symbol of resilience and community support, ready to face whatever challenges come next.
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-Ramji Lal Bairwa
Paving the Way: The Journey of Literacy in Kanchikolli Village
Kala was one of the teachers who made the classes interactive and fun, but after her marriage, the classes were stopped for three months. The students missed learning, but then Shivaranjani stepped in as a teacher and restarted the classes. They planned to have 20 classes each month and also gave weekly tests to check progress. They successfully covered Pre Primer and Primer 1 and are now focused on completing Primer 2 by next month.
In the small village of Kanchikolli, a wonderful journey began in March 2023 when Amutha started a literacy class. She set up two classes for children, with eight students: two in the 2nd grade, two in the 4th, one girl in the 5th, and another in the 8th grade.​
​On August 30th, a test was held, and all the students did well. Their efforts were celebrated with prizes: Shivabharathi from the 8th grade scored 48, Jaya from the 6th grade scored 46, and Jeevis and Aavilla from the 4th and 5th grades both scored 43. Even those who scored lower received consolation prizes to encourage them.
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It had only been a year since the classes started, and they faced challenges, including changes in teachers. However, the dedication of the teachers and support from the community brought joy to everyone. They had previously tried to start classes in seven other villages but had not succeeded, making this achievement in Kanchikolli feel especially meaningful.
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Classes were held in the home of a local resident named Kethi, who greatly supported the initiative. Because of her interest in children learning their mother tongue, Kethi provided a room for classes, even during the rainy season, which helped a lot.
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The success in Kanchikolli has inspired hope. In the coming days, the BK community will work together to create great literacy classes for their children, helping them pursue their dreams.
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As the story of Kanchikolli continues, it shows the power of education and community spirit, paving the way for future generations.
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- Amutha A.