She’s giving tribal children the gift of learning

 

 

The 19th-century educator and author Ann Plato had said, “To remove ignorance is an important branch of benevolence.” Yishita Kale of Rajura is living by these words, striving to educate underprivileged children of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts from last 6 years. Yishita, daughter of a WCL officer, holds an Engineering degree from Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. She has a well-paying job in a software company. When youths her age were focussing on their education and building a career, Yishita decided to work for the underprivileged. What is noteworthy is that she did not sacrifice one thing for another. She has been balancing her career along with her ‘social work’. In fact, she keeps 10 percent of her salary reserved for the expenses incurred in this work. Her father too regularly funds her noble venture.

While talking to ‘The Hitavada’ she said, “Even after being from the tribal community, children did not know the history of Gond Kings. When I narrated them stories about their ancestors through my campaign, they were in awe.”

Yishita was still a student herself when she was moved by the dire lack of education in the slums and remote areas of Rajura in Chandrapur district and the dearth of resources as well as willingness among parents. She therefore set out on a mission to educate these destitute children.

After reaching home from work and spending some moments of relaxation, Yishita hops on to her two-wheeler and reaches remote areas of Rajura tehsil where students keep waiting for their teacher to arrive with an effervescent smile on her face. Yishita had not discontinued the classes even during the pandemic. Now, she has also introduced a summer camp concept for the children in Rajura. “I started the summer camp at different places to attract children towards co-curricular activities as well. Every child of India has the right to education and should be employed or self-employed on the basis of his/her education andset of skills,” opined Yishita.

She gradually expanded her area and now she also visits villages of Gadchiroli district to teach needy children there.

The villages she visits regularly include Yishita Binaguda, Laheri Kamlapur, Sironcha, Dewai-Government Ashram School, Guddiguddam - Government Ashram School, Vivekanand Ashram School Kirmiri, Gopikabai Sangada Ashram School in Rajura tehsil among others in Chandrapur district. At times she also faced opposition with some people opposing her ‘meddling’ in their life. She also faced the problem of lack of basic facilities in remote areas, but nothing could stop her. She then went on to establish Vishwas Social Foundation which is all about creating awareness and educating children. “We do not need to be activists to do social work. Paying back to the society is something every person should do as a social responsibility as a good citizen of the country,” concluded Yishita.