In April 2025, during a joint meeting of the Children's Group (CG) and the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) in Amidhangadia, members were preparing a list of school admissions for the upcoming year. During the discussion, one CG member pointed out her friend, Savita, a class 9 student who had been quietly sitting in the meeting. Unlike her peers, Savita had not been attending school.
When asked about her situation, it became clear that Savita lived almost 3 kilometres away from the nearest middle and high school. Her family earned a modest income through daily wage labour and could not afford a bicycle. Without transportation, Savita had dropped out the previous year, although she still managed to take her final exams.
The CPC members gently asked Savita if she would return to school if she had a bicycle. She explained that the lack of a bicycle was the primary reason for her absence from school. One of the ordinary members of the CPC suggested raising money to buy a bicycle for her. Savita responded positively, saying she would definitely attend school if she had a bike. This moment of honesty prompted the CPC to take action. Moved by her determination, they decided to raise funds among themselves. Within a few weeks, as schools reopened in June, they had pooled ₹1,500 and purchased a second-hand bicycle for her.
With this support, Savita re-enrolled in school and has been attending regularly since then. The CPC members followed up with the CG to check if she was attending school consistently after summer vacation. They also monitored her attendance during school hours. Savita's parents expressed deep gratitude, stating that the bicycle had removed the biggest barrier to their daughter’s education. They felt supported and were very happy that the CPC could arrange for the bicycle. The parents assured the CPC that they would ensure their child went to school on a regular basis.
During the same initiative, the CPC identified five other children who were out of school. Savita, along with one of the other girls, began attending school regularly after the VCPC intervened. However, the other three children had migrated with their parents to another state for work. Two of them, including Savita, have been successfully enrolled. While the village has a functioning primary school, the distance to the middle and high school, which is 3 kilometers away, continues to pose challenges, particularly for girls. Notably, the Odisha Government has a cycle scheme that is available only for students in the 10th grade.
This case highlights how the collective initiative of a community structure like the VCPC, along with the encouragement of CGs, can directly impact a child’s educational journey. For Savita, the second-hand bicycle represents more than just a means of transportation—it symbolizes a renewed opportunity to learn, grow, and dream of a better future.
This story showcases how a small, timely intervention by the VCPC eliminated a significant barrier to education, bringing a child back to school. It emphasizes that distance and lack of affordable transportation are critical reasons why children, especially adolescent girls, drop out in rural areas. The active involvement of the CG in identifying peers at risk and voicing their concerns in a community forum highlights the importance of children's participation in protection and education processes. At the same time, the VCPC’s swift collective action demonstrates how communities can mobilize their resources to provide immediate support when families are unable to do so.
However, the case also points to the need for sustainable and systemic solutions, such as stronger linkages with government schemes, reliable transportation, and better access to middle and high schools, to ensure that no child is forced to discontinue their education due to distance. Above all, this story underscores the significance of listening to children and responding to their needs, as it can profoundly impact their life journeys.
