Deepika: One Family, Three Journeys of Learning

In a small home in Assam, a state in north-east India known for its rich textile heritage, Deepika’s family earns a living through weaving mekhela sador—the traditional two-piece attire worn by Assamese women, often crafted with intricate patterns that reflect local culture and identity.

For Deepika and her two children, learning had once felt distant and inconsistent. Deepika herself left school after Year 9 when her mother fell seriously ill, and she married young. Her children, Dimpi and Debraj, were also struggling to keep pace at school, particularly after prolonged closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. While books were present at home, confidence and continuity in learning were not.

That began to change when Pratham’s support reached their community.

In 2022, Dimpi, then in Year 3, joined a Pratham learning camp. Children were grouped by learning level rather than age or grade, and supported through simple, engaging activities designed to rebuild strong foundations in reading and maths.

At the same time, Deepika joined a Mothers’ Group. These groups are designed to help caregivers actively engage with their children’s learning, building both understanding and confidence in supporting education at home.

At first, Deepika was hesitant to speak during meetings. Over time, she began to participate more actively, growing in confidence as she learned practical ways to support her children. Eventually, she became a “leader mother”, encouraging other women in her village to take a more active role in their children’s learning journeys.

Gradually, learning shifted beyond the classroom and into everyday life at home.

Today, Dimpi is in Year 5. She reads fluently, approaches maths with confidence, and takes an active part in class. She is also part of a Children’s Club, where children from Years 3 to 8 come together to strengthen literacy and numeracy through group activities, alongside creative work such as art, craft, and drawing.

Her younger brother, Debraj, now in Year 1, is also progressing well, supported by a home environment where learning is encouraged and shared.

Deepika’s own journey has grown alongside her children’s. Through Pratham’s Education for Education initiative, she completed a beautician course and now offers make-up services within her community. Alongside this, she continues her weaving work, contributing to the family income while staying actively involved in local learning initiatives.

What stands out is not just individual progress, but how learning has become something shared across generations within one home. Supported in the right way, it has created ripple effects across a family and their wider community.

Deepika’s story is a reminder that when learning is rooted in both school and home, it does more than improve outcomes. It reshapes what families believe is possible. Donate today to support more such families find their way back to learning.