A little good news for your Sunday
Sometimes good news comes in the form of a very proud 15-year-old boy holding an enormous trophy!
Meet Imran, from Kadarganj, a small, isolated village in Northern India, home to just 30 families.
And this week, there's something wonderful to celebrate.
First place!
On 5 October, Imran won first place in a drawing competition held at Sneh School as part of Wildlife Week 2026. For many, this does not seem like big news, but for Village Kadarganj - this is HUGE!
Imran’s achievement was recognised at the Kotdwar Range Office, where he received a beautiful award in the presence of senior forest officials and local dignitaries.
Imagine his excitement!
And imagine the delight of his father, Shera, when he received the phone call telling him his son had won.
But what I particularly love is the photograph of Imran surrounded by the other children from our PHI Kadarganj Education Centre.
Just look at those faces!
Kadarganj is a close-knit community of around 30 families - almost like one big family. And I suspect this is the kind of achievement many of these families have rarely had the opportunity to celebrate.
More than a drawing competition
For generations, education has been difficult to access in communities like Kadarganj. Many of today's children are among the first in their families to receive an education.
The village is very isolated, and most children must walk 8 kilometres each way to and from school, along a road through the jungle. It's a long journey, and one that can be dangerous because of encounters with wildlife. Sadly, there are also particular safety concerns for girls making this journey - which is why many village girls do not attend the local school.
During the monsoon season, flooded roads and a difficult river crossing can make the journey impossible, preventing children from reaching Sneh School for extended periods.
That's one reason our PHI Education Centre is so important - the children are so proud of this place!
Our centres aren't intended to replace formal schooling. They help children discover a love of learning, encourage school enrolment and provide ongoing support when attending school becomes difficult.
Over the past ten years, we've seen a wonderful change in parents' attitudes towards education. Where families were once hesitant about sending their children to school, more parents are now recognising the opportunities education can bring and encouraging their children to attend.
And perhaps one of the loveliest signs of that change is seeing a whole community celebrate the achievements of a young person like Imran.
Imran attends both Sneh School and our centre.
His father proudly credits the PHI centre for helping his son achieve this success. And Imran himself thanked Project Help India for inspiring him to attend school and continue learning.
A little village with big dreams
One boy. One drawing. One very proud father.
And a whole community with another reason to believe in what their children can achieve.
Congratulations, Imran! We're proud of you too.
You make stories like Imran's possible
To everyone supporting Project Help India—thank you.
Your kindness helps children in isolated communities discover opportunities that previous generations may never have enjoyed.
Not every gift changes the whole world. But it can help change someone's world.
You can make a one-off or monthly tax-deductible $AUD donation by clicking the pink DONATE tab at the top of this page
And please share Imran's story with someone who could use a little good news this Sunday.
#SmallStepsBigPurpose