Jyoti Patel, is a Vidya Saathi with ILP from a humble farming family in Varanasi. In July 2024, she stepped into the role of a Vidya Saathi that would shape not just the children she taught, but her own journey as well.

Her mission was to uplift the Musahar community, a group long denied access to education. Before setting up a Village Learning Centre (VLC), she walked through their struggles—listening, learning, and building trust. The reality was grim: out of 45 families, only 25 children could even consider schooling. The local school, just two kilometres away, felt worlds apart—caste-based harassment turned its gates into barriers the children dared not cross.

Jyoti refused to let fear dictate their future. She didn’t just teach; she protected. She walked the children to school, shielded them from bullying, and made sure they arrived with dignity—hair combed, uniforms neat, heads held high. She stood beside parents, raising their voices in school meetings, demanding a right that should never have been a privilege.

Her impact went beyond the classroom. She turned simple materials into powerful learning tools, making education engaging and joyful. Teachers took notice. The school environment began to shift. And most importantly, the Musahar children started believing they belonged.

Today, Jyoti’s efforts have not only brought children into school but have sparked a movement. A second batch is now ready to begin their journey—proof that change, once set in motion, cannot be stopped.