Igniting the Hope of a Better Future
Written by Anjum Shaikh, July 30, 2018
The role of education forms the basis for an individual to lead a successful and meaningful life. With the right set of skills and knowledge, an individual is able to make the right decisions and survive in the ever-growing socio-economic environment. However, not everyone has the opportunity to complete their formal education.
In India, the annual average school dropout rate at the secondary level was 17% in the year 2015-16. It is essential to address the reason behind such a phenomenon. The most frequent reasons for school dropout are poverty, difficulties in reaching school and a lack of interest that may lead to failing exams. Thus, students who are really passionate and who strive to complete their education quite often have to discontinue their studies. As a result of inadequate education, opportunities, and skills, such students fall into a state of unemployment or underemployment, are at risk of drug abuse and crimes, and continue living at a low standard.
Have you ever thought about the possible ways we, as individuals or organizations, can resolve such issues arising in our social environment? Even a small step can help in reshaping the future of enthusiastic youth. It could be as simple as volunteering weekly, donating small amounts to charitable organizations and participating in book drives. Without proper support, the great potential of such students remains unexplored and often wasted. Hence, we need to extend our support to these students so that they can excel in their field and grow as individuals.
Atmasantosh Foundation recently launched the Patang Scholars Program, a joint initiative with Dharma Bharathi Mission, to assist such students in pursuing their dreams and aspirations. Patang Scholars Program is a step to revive the light of hope in the hearts of such students who quite often give up and drop out from the formal education system. Currently, the focus of the program is on students who have transitioned from school to junior college to help them achieve their academic goals.
With the help of the Patang Scholars Program, Atmasantosh Foundation is igniting the minds of individuals who are motivated, determined and are striving to build a stable future. Through this program, the selected students will go through a holistic development journey until they complete their formal education. The students will not only have the support of financial aid but also an opportunity to develop their non-cognitive skills in various areas. The whole journey is about a complete evolution of the student’s personality so as to accelerate self-reliance and enable them to lead a better livelihood.
We are working towards our vision to provide sustainable support to young adults in the education field and strengthen the community. Patang Scholars Program is just the beginning and our first milestone towards creating a promising future for underprivileged youth.
