Proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika, as well as a father figure to more than 500 children who would not have attended school if it wasn’t for his vision and determination for his community.
Project Help India seeks to bring about community change and generational transformation
Through a remarkable man, Sunjay, we see the power of this vision. We are especially delighted to give this update to our supporters, many of whom about 8 years ago, provided the financial support to help Sunjay with his law degree.
Sunjay’s Story
This story is about Sanjay, a teacher and leader within Project Help India. Sanjay's story is about struggle, hope, persistence and love. Sunjay grew up in a very remote village. He still lives here and married to Rahi who is also a teacher at the Village Kadarganj Project Help Education Centre. Sunjay is proud and protective father of 7 year-old Bhoomika. His dream for his daughter is that she will leave their small village so that she will be successful.
Sunjay is a quietly spoken, humble and determined man. He does not like to be the centre of attention, yet he will repectfully speak his mind. It was in 2010 that Sunjay, having heard about Project Help’s work helping kids in the Kotdwara slums, he approached Amit Samuel (Project Help Director) asking him to consider bringing education to the remote jungle villages. Sunjay was persistent in his advocacy for the many children, who did not have access to any form of education. The following year in 2011, the first of now three Jungle village centres commenced. We now have 120+ children attending Project Help schools 5 days a week. Almost all of the children who have attended our schools over the past decade would not have attended school -certainly not the girls. Over these 10 years both Sunjay, and Rakhi have worked tirelessly with the parents to challenge their entrenched mindsets in believing that girls do not go to school. Through their wisdom, love and compassion they have assisted Project Help to develop village community programs including anti-trafficking awareness, drug and substance abuse education, and importantly women’s empowerment.
Sunjay grew up with few opportunities in life. His father Mr Ram Kunwar passed away in 2009. Savriti, his mother is very poor and has suffered many health issues over recent years. She presently enjoys being one of our cooks, daily preparing healthy meals for the children who attend the Village Kadarganj school.
For most of his life Sunjay has carried the weight and burden of his family and neighbours on his shoulders. For a short period of time (which is when I, Doug first met him in 2013 - see images below) he even set up a small ‘pharmacy’ in his village – bringing simple medications from the city to the villages, and selling these items only just to cover his costs, to give to the poor people who otherwise had no access to medical help. Through his ambition and determination, he approached Project Help India for financial support to commence a law degree. He has studied hard, and this year he is working as an intern with a senior lawyer one day a week, anticipating to be able to set up his own legal practice after graduating at the end of 2021.
Images above: The village, the pharmacy and the very small classroom where it all began in 2013 and below photos taken just this week outside one of the Project Help village classrooms.
A role model and father figure to hundreds of children
Sanjay and his wife Rakhi are happy in their work. Aware of the power of education they have a big vision for their daughter and their students. Sunjay is a father figure to the children in the villages. He is trusted and respected by their parents and the village elders who often seek his advice and guidance. While we know that he will one day leave the village, and move into town to set up his business, we know that he will always support and serve Project help for many years to come.
Can you help us to honour and thank Sunjay
This Father’s Day we will honour and thank Sunjay by gifting him with a fridge for his house, as well as a lovely hamper filled with sweet treats for him and the family. It is because of his passion, dedication, and constant hard work, Sunjay has made it possible for over 500 children, who would never over-wise, have received an education … and through this, the wider community has changed and grown in health and strength.