Help tribal children to learn and grow in India

On second December we celebrate GIVING TUESDAY all around the world - a day of generosity, of hope, of love, of recognition and acknowledgement! The start of the last month of the year marks the beginning of the time, when we are celebrating love and kindness in various ways. This time is dedicated to share with those who need support.

Children of marginalised communities in India belong to those who hardly have a chance to escape their unprivileged situation without the help of those who are in the position to share.

Your help gives them a chance to develop dignity and a save future for them self and their families.

Especially in difficult times, stories like this of Amruta give us courage and hope. They show how much can be achieved through compassion, education, and collective support. 

Amruta is 16 years old and belongs to the Vaidu community in India – one of the nomadic tribes that face significant social stigma and economic marginalization. Like many other Vaidu families, Amruta’s family moves from house to house selling kitchen utensils. She lives with her parents, her sister, and her brother. While her parents work tirelessly every day to provide for the family, Amruta carried the full responsibility for household chores, leaving her little time for school.

A turning point came when staff from one of our partner organizations visited the family and spoke about the transformative power of education. Her parents began to reconsider the future prospects for their daughter and ultimately made the courageous decision to continue sending Amruta to school.

Today, Amruta is in the 10th grade and regularly attends one of the learning centers supported by Karuna Germany – a safe space for tutoring and collaborative learning. Initially, she was very reserved and shy. Over time, however, she gained confidence, actively participates in group activities, supports her classmates, contributes her own ideas, and takes on responsibilities.

Looking back with gratitude, Amruta says:
"I was on the verge of dropping out of school. But the learning center gave me new hope. Today, I dream of learning computers and successfully completing my education."

Thanks to the support of Karuna Germany, a new dream has awakened in Amruta: she wants to be the first girl in her family to pursue a degree in IT. Her journey is a shining example of hope, courage, and the power of education.

To ensure that children like Amruta can continue learning and shape their own futures, they need people who believe in them and support them along the way. 

Please be one of those people who change the lives of children like Amruta!

Thank you for your generosity! On GIVING TUESDAY - second December - your donation will be match by GlobalGiving, so your donation achieves extra impact!!

Suraj is a 15-year-old boy from the Gosavi community, where most families earn their living through crab fishing. In this community, children often leave school early to help their parents with income-generating work.  As a result, dropout rates are high, and the few earnings children make are rarely invested wisely, sometimes leading to unhealthy habits and addictions.

In Suraj’s neighbourhood, most children his age no longer attend school, largely because their parents themselves never had the chance to study. Suraj’s own family of seven – his parents, three younger sisters, and a brother – all work in crab fishing. Yet, unlike most of his peers, he has developed a deep interest in learning. He often avoids joining the fishing trips or makes sure to return home in time for his classes.

At one point, his parents considered withdrawing him from school, but Suraj was determined to continue. Although now in the 10th grade, Suraj had long struggled to read Marathi and found mathematics especially difficult. These challenges made him shy and uncertain in class, afraid to ask questions or seek help. By the 9th grade, he was close to dropping out altogether because he still couldn’t read.

His dedication led him to attend the Savitri Centre, where he began to rebuild his learning foundation. With the patient support of his teacher, who used creative tools such as charts, flashcards, and puzzles, Suraj began to rediscover the joy of learning. Gradually, he learned to read and write, and as his confidence grew, so did his ability to tackle other subjects.

“I couldn’t read or write before, and I wanted to leave school,” Suraj shares. “Now I can study every subject, and I hope to finish school and become a police officer.”

Beyond academics, Suraj also participates in sports and school activities. Thanks to the support of Nirman, both he and his parents have renewed hope for his educational future. Suraj’s journey shows that, with encouragement and opportunity, even children facing social and economic challenges can achieve their dreams.