Support Students with the Essentials for Schooling

Summary

In the late 1990s, a tragic incident at the Dum Dum Landfill—used by three municipalities—claimed the lives of few children and their mothers. This led to the formation of Society for Peoples’ Awareness (SPAN), a small group of dedicated individuals who began engaging with residents of Pramod Nagar, the area adjacent to the landfill where the workers resided.

Pramod Nagar, 25 kms away from Kolkata, was home to about 1,200 families displaced by metro and railway developments in 1989–90. Many lost livelihoods and turned to informal jobs like waste picking and daily labor. The community, comprising socio-economically disadvantaged and minority groups, struggled with poverty and illiteracy, forcing children into low-wage work.

SPAN began connecting with children through activities and encouraged parents—many employed at the landfill—to value education and free their children from labor. In 2000, a non-formal education effort in an empty car shed evolved into a formal primary school—Anandadhara Shikshayatan—within two years. This four-storey school, met the local need and provided these children access to education. 

Nearly 25 years later, despite the presence of government schools and unaffordable private options, Anandadhara remains the preferred choice due to its caring environment and affordable, quality education. Both parents and children express strong loyalty to the school. Today, Anandadhara serves around 500 students from Nursery to Class V and stands as a symbol of social and educational transformation in Pramod Nagar, offering hope and a brighter future for its children.

However, limited resources are holding back these children’s education. They don’t have the basic supplies to go to school. Through this campaign, INDIAdonates in collaboration with on-ground partner SPAN is aiming to provide these students with the essentials for school. With a contribution of just ₹1,100, you can provide a child with the essentials like notebooks, uniforms, books, stationary, and school bags – giving them the opportunity to go to school and build a brighter future. There are 500 such children who need your support. Together, we can give them the education they deserve. One small step from you can change everything for them - One contribution and one child at a time.