In the heart of India lies a village, surrounded by lush green fields of rice and inaccessible by road, forgotten forever by the people of the nearby cities. Barely 40 miles from the heart of Kolkata, the village is secluded from all surroundings, and seems to be in a different world. Here, hundreds of children lack an education, and are left to struggle helplessly with their illiteracy.

This village, like thousands of others, lacks resources, education, and most importantly, a future.

For centuries, illiteracy has reigned over the forgotten villages of India, where generations of villagers have been left working in the fields and doing household chores. But now—Ekal Vidyalaya is setting up one-teacher schools throughout India, putting an end to this calamity forever.

In July 2010, I visited two Ekal schools, in the villages of Chandpala and Santoshpur, West Bengal, India.

Inside the village, I was met by the sound of the shankh, an instrument the villagers play, and loud cheers from the children. The few small buildings were made primarily of mud.

I followed the students into their school, and they all sat down in their places, on an uncomfortable tarp laid on the floor. I immediately wanted to complain in discomfort, but they didn’t even seem to notice!

At that moment, I realized how much I take for granted, living in a society where even my most frivolous demands are met, while kids in India are content with their basic amenities.

They wore their best clothes for our visit, but even those I could tell, were second-hand and well-worn.

Soon, they began a prayer to welcome my family and me into their school, and then they each stood up and introduced themselves, and told us their names, and which grades they were in.

The students showed me some of the things they had learned in school, such as the alphabet and numbers. One girl performed a beautiful Surya Namaskar, while others recited different kavitas they had learned. I was thrown into a world of joy, delight, and hope, watching these children cherish their Ekal education.

Students of all different backgrounds and religions sang songs about their love for their motherland, India. I had an amazing experience playing games with them and I felt just as if I were one of them- overwhelmed by their hospitality, love and care, and their desire to give me what little they had.

They treated us with homemade food, which though frugal, was full of their love and desire to serve us, their guests- Atithi Devo Bhavah!

Too soon, it was time for us to leave. They all came to take asheervaad by touching my grandmother’s feet. I saw the manners and respect for their elders that Ekal has nurtured in these children.

I promised my friends that I will return again to their school and visit them, and I wished them luck with their studies.

I’m proud to be a part of what Ekal is doing for my new friends. Without Ekal, yet another generation might have been lost working in the fields with their parents, or doing household chores. But Ekal is bringing an education to each of them, and working to eradicate the illiteracy that has taken over these villages for generations.

After visiting these children, I became all the more motivated in my efforts to educate them.

I realize that each year on my birthday, I spend money on a party and presents, which gives me only momentary happiness. I have now taken the pledge to contribute instead to an Ekal school, which would bring a lifetime of happiness to my friends, an ‘eternal’ gift from their Astha Didi, their big sister.

As I look back and reflect on my visit, I can’t forget the sight of all those little children running behind our car, their little hands outstretched, looking for help… I only wish that more of the fortunate people like us could just hold their hands, and support them in becoming literate, changing their lives forever.

So little from us could do so much for them.

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