“From Child Labourer to Academic Star: The Inspiring Journey of Jagdish Mahanand”

Jagdish Mahanand is an 8-year-old-boy who lives in Banjupadar village in Bongomunds Block of Bolangir. His parents are daily wage labourers and often have to migrate to cities like Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi. Bright and energetic, he was very interested in studies and wanted to become a teacher but was unable to do so as his parents took him to Delhi to support them in their work. During festivals, Jagdish would return to his village with his parents. It was during one of these times that he found out about BRIDGE school initiative being run in his village by AJSA.

Jagdish made a firm decision to continue his education under the initiative. He was rebellious enough to fight against the odds and talk to his parents about it who later got convinced upon hearing about the growth of other children under associated to BRIDGE schools. AJSA played an incremental role in making living arrangements for Jagdish in his relative’s house within the village. In just a few months after joining the BRIDGE school, Jagdish, who was working as a child labour, became one of the best performing students in his grade. Brilliant in not just academics, Jagdish also represented the school and won many debate competitions across various blocks and district.

“Our son has made us proud. Now where ever I go, people recognize me because of my son. I thank AJSA for helping us out through this difficult journey”.

AJSA has worked hard to transform lives of many such students like Jagdish, however, still there are thousands of students who are yet to be reached out in the tribal communities of Odisha. Come join us in bringing change in the lives of children like Jagdish. Even your smallest contribution can help will give them wings to fly high, achieve their dream and come out from the endless trap of poverty and child labour.