REFLECTION OF BENEFICIARIESVILLAGE : RATAVIRDA, BLOCK : WANKANER, DIST : MORBI (REWRITTEN)
The village Ratavirda is located in
the interior region of Wankaner Block of Morbi district. Majority of the
residents of the village are from backward communities. Poverty and
poor hygienic conditions kept the overall development of the village
minimal.
The literacy rate of this village was
only 20%, way below the national average of 74.04%. When Project Life
conducted a study, it was found that the school had virtually no
toilets. Because of this, parents were unwilling to send their daughters
to school.
The school building itself was a
dilapidated structure covered with earthen tiles. The ceilings of
whatever few classrooms were there, invariably leaked during rains.
Overall, the school presented a picture of impoverished resources and
gloomy neglect.
A donor came forward to generously
sponsor the infrastructure development of the school. Soon, the
infrastructure development was completed and the new school was ready.
The new building comprises 8
classrooms, a common hall, and separate sanitary blocks for boys and
girls and facility for safe and pure drinking water. A big playground
adorns the school premises.
Project Life provided furniture and
science kits to the schools. The Grant for Girl Education upliftment
which created awareness for education of girls encouraged the parents to
educate their daughters. The dropout ratio of girls has reduced
drastically.
The talent hunt program helps to bring
out the hidden talent of the students. Holistic development of the
students is made through various programs.
For the academic year 2014-15, there
are 313 students (158 boys and 155 girls) enrolled at the school. This
number is expected to go up sizably in near future.
Beyond a symbol of pride, it became a symbol of hope for the children of the local residents. A hope for a better tomorrow.