Alwar, Rajasthan is home to the Nat, Kanjar, Banjara and Sapera communities – historically criminalised tribes that continue to be oppressed and discriminated against. Nomadic in nature, these tribes live on the margins of society with low literacy rates, high unemployment levels, and limited avenues for equal opportunities or services. Their nomadic lifestyle further exacerbates the cycle of poverty and discrimination.

As a community member once pointed out, “ Sab hume milne aate hai, lekin koi kuch nahi karta” – Everyone comes to meet them but no one does anything for their well-being. Nirvanavan Foundation decided to change this status quo 30 years back, by starting the first community school in Gajuki Kanjar Basti, and over the years expanded to 9 community schools and one upper primary school – Advaita Garden. The aim was to take the schools to the children and provide them with both foundational learning and exposure to the world around them, allowing them to stand up to discrimination and access opportunities otherwise unavailable to them. 

Our Community Based Schools have been designed keeping in mind the unique challenges of the nomadic communities. Instead of children going to schools, the school goes to the children’s community. 2 teachers are appointed to teach classes 1-8 from 8 am – 2pm, the children are also provided 2 nutritious meals a day, and a community- based warden takes care of the children. This system allows the children to stay back in the community and continue their education while their parents travel for work. 

All the 10 schools (including Advaita Garden) also have a unique curriculum ensuring a holistic educational environment. The day is divided into 5 periods – 1).Period of Common Action,  2).Period of Non-Activity, 3).Period of Joy,  4).Period of Subjects, and 5) Period of Arts. The relationship between tutor and student is peculiar to the school as many of the first batch students are now serving as teachers, trainers and administrators.

The organization has been instrumental in not only imparting education but also organizes several events across the year for the conservation of historical, cultural and natural heritage to create awareness and to promote child rights – this include the Art Mela for World Peace, Slum Boys Cricket Tournament, and theatre festivals. These events provide dignified and fear free spaces for children from diverse communities to interact with each other, thus promoting inclusion and harmony. 

Over 5000 children have graduated from these schools and many have completed their 10th and 12th grades. Some children have also gone onto pursue their education in medicine, commerce and arts. Critically, we have seen growing community involvement in children’s education, with 0% drop out rates over the last 2 decades. This commitment of the students and the community reflects the important role the schools play in nurturing the children’s futures. 

Unfortunately, with the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, the foundation had to close 8 out of its 10 schools, owing to lack of funds. We now aim to reopen the remaining schools so that children can go back to learning, which can help create opportunities for them to live a financially stable life of dignity and respect. 

Thus, we are raising funds for Nirvanavan Foundation Schools. The funds will directly go to the foundation to help children continue their education and be used for sustaining the staff of the schools, basic maintenance, stationary and other program costs. 

We are also looking for friends who would like to help us with funds on the regular basis. Any amount will help us save and run these schools.

If anyone is interested in knowing more about our expenditure details, we will be more than happy to share over email. Just drop us an email and we will share it with you. 

We’re raising awareness and fundraising for the Nirvana Foundation, www.nirvanavanfoundation.com.

We are a UK based charity fundraising for this organisation. Founded in 1999, they are a Non-Profit and Non-Government organisation. They work at the grassroot level with the communities that are ostracised and marginalized in the remote areas of Alwar (Rajasthan, India).