Sarvodaya Ashram with IIMPACT Girl Child Education Program: Transforming Lives through Education in Shahjahanpur and Hardoi
Education has long been recognized as the most powerful tool for social transformation. When a girl is educated, she not only uplifts herself but also contributes to the progress of her family, community, and society at large. With this belief at the core, Sarvodaya Ashram, in collaboration with the IIMPACT Girl Child Education Program, has been working tirelessly to bring education to the most marginalized and underserved girls in Uttar Pradesh.
At present, the program has made remarkable strides in Shahjahanpur and Hardoi districts. Currently, 45 Learning Centres (LCs) are operational in Shahjahanpur and 17 Learning Centres in Hardoi. This initiative is supported by generous donors like Indus Towers, which has been the backbone of many of these centres, and Titan, which supports one Learning Centre.
This collective effort has been transforming lives, creating opportunities, and inspiring hope for hundreds of young girls who otherwise would have been left behind in the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
Background of the Program
Sarvodaya Ashram is an organization deeply rooted in Gandhian philosophy and dedicated to community development, social justice, and empowerment of the underprivileged. Over the decades, it has worked in multiple areas such as rural development, livelihood enhancement, women’s empowerment, and education.
The IIMPACT Girl Child Education Program was initiated by alumni of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to address the alarming reality of girls being deprived of education in rural India. The program focuses specifically on out-of-school girls in the age group of 6 to 14 years and provides them with access to primary education through Learning Centres in remote villages.
The goal is not merely literacy, but empowerment – to enable these girls to dream bigger, pursue higher education, and become catalysts of change in their families and communities.
Learning Centres in Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur, a district in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the regions where gender disparity in education has been a serious concern. Poverty, child labour, early marriage, and traditional mindsets have historically restricted girls from attending schools.
To address this, Sarvodaya Ashram, in partnership with IIMPACT, established 45 Learning Centres across Shahjahanpur district.
Each centre is strategically located within villages to ensure accessibility for girls who cannot travel long distances. The centres are equipped with:
- Trained female teachers, who act not just as educators but also as mentors and role models.
- Activity-based learning methods that make education engaging and practical.
- Flexible timings to accommodate girls involved in household responsibilities.
- Community involvement, ensuring that parents understand the importance of sending their daughters to these centres.
Through these centres, hundreds of girls have received education for the first time in their lives. Many of them have transitioned into mainstream government schools after completing their primary education at the Learning Centres.
Learning Centres in Hardoi
Hardoi, another district in Uttar Pradesh, faces similar socio-economic challenges. Here too, many young girls were left out of school due to financial constraints, social barriers, and lack of awareness about the importance of education.
To combat this, Sarvodaya Ashram and IIMPACT set up 17 Learning Centres in Hardoi.
These centres mirror the same structure as in Shahjahanpur but are tailored to local needs. For instance, in villages where child marriage is prevalent, the program engages community leaders and women’s groups to spread awareness about the importance of delaying marriage and prioritizing education.
Today, these 17 centres are seen as beacons of hope in Hardoi. Parents who were once skeptical now proudly share stories of their daughters learning to read, write, and aspire to become teachers, doctors, or entrepreneurs.
Donor Support: Indus Towers and Titan
A program of this scale requires not only dedicated human resources but also strong financial backing. This is where donor organizations play a crucial role.
- Indus Towers
- Indus Towers has been the primary donor for the majority of the Learning Centres in Shahjahanpur and Hardoi.
- With their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) commitment towards education and empowerment, they have enabled Sarvodaya Ashram to sustain these centres, provide training for teachers, supply teaching-learning materials, and maintain a conducive environment for learning.
- Indus Towers’ involvement goes beyond funding—they actively monitor progress, encourage innovations, and support scaling up wherever possible.
- Titan
- Titan, another socially responsible corporate house, supports one Learning Centre under this initiative.
- While the number may appear small compared to Indus Towers, the symbolic significance is profound. It shows how even one committed donor can make a difference in the lives of dozens of girls in a single village.
Together, these donors reflect how the private sector, when aligned with grassroots organizations, can create a powerful impact on society.
Impact of the Program
The impact of the Sarvodaya Ashram – IIMPACT partnership is visible at multiple levels:
- Educational Impact
- Hundreds of girls, who once never held a pencil, can now read, write, and perform basic arithmetic.
- Transition rates to formal government schools have significantly increased.
- Dropout rates have reduced as girls find education enjoyable and relevant to their lives.
- Social Impact
- Families now recognize the value of educating their daughters.
- Girls are increasingly seen as assets rather than burdens.
- Early marriages are being delayed as education becomes a priority.
- Economic Impact
- Educated girls are more likely to contribute to household income in the future.
- Some families have started investing more in education rather than child labour.
- Community Impact
- Villages with Learning Centres are witnessing a cultural shift towards valuing education.
- Local women trained as teachers are gaining respect and financial independence.
Challenges Faced
While the progress is commendable, several challenges persist:
- Social Barriers: Convincing traditional families to educate their daughters remains a continuous struggle.
- Economic Hardships: Poverty still forces some parents to prioritize work over education.
- Infrastructure Issues: Remote villages often lack proper infrastructure, making it difficult to sustain centres.
- Teacher Retention: Attracting and retaining motivated female teachers in rural areas is not always easy.
Despite these challenges, the determination of Sarvodaya Ashram, support from donors, and the enthusiasm of communities ensure that the program continues to grow.
Future Vision
The partnership between Sarvodaya Ashram and IIMPACT envisions further expansion in the coming years:
- Increasing the number of Learning Centres in Shahjahanpur and Hardoi to reach even more villages.
- Introducing digital learning tools to make education more interactive.
- Vocational training for older girls, ensuring they are not just literate but also skilled for employability.
- Greater community participation, building local ownership of the program.
- Expanding donor network, inviting more corporations and individuals to contribute to this noble cause.
Conclusion
The story of 45 Learning Centres in Shahjahanpur and 17 Learning Centres in Hardoi is more than just statistics—it is a story of hope, transformation, and empowerment. With the steadfast commitment of Sarvodaya Ashram, the vision of IIMPACT, and the generous support of donors like Indus Towers and Titan, hundreds of young girls are stepping into a brighter future.
As these girls learn to read and write, they are not only rewriting their own destinies but also laying the foundation for a stronger, more equitable India.
This initiative proves one fundamental truth: when you educate a girl, you educate a generation.