Ferozepur : In a significant step to eradicate illiteracy, Ferozepur Foundation has initiated the ‘Umeed Ki Pathshala’ project, launched on the auspicious occasion of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav and this initiative aims to provide primary education to children of brick kiln labourers, fostering a foundation for an educated society.
Shailendra Shaili Babla, the founder of the foundation, highlighted that the project stemmed from a suggestion by the Unorganized Workers Union Punjab. The union informed them about the plight of children working at brick kilns who are deprived of basic education. After discussions among the foundation's members, it was decided to focus efforts on bridging this gap in education.
The pilot project has started at a brick kiln in Asal village, where 75 children have been adopted for educational support. Each child was provided with essential learning materials, including notebooks, books, school bags, pencils, and refreshments. Two teachers have been appointed to conduct daily classes in a designated room at the kiln, with their remuneration funded by the foundation.
Babla added that such children typically accompany their families to the kilns from November to June, making regular school attendance impossible. To address this, the foundation plans to establish similar projects in the future.
The ‘Umeed Ki Pathshala’ project embodies a promising effort to empower underprivileged communities through education and pave the way for a brighter future.
The inauguration ceremony saw active participation from notable members, including Vikas Pasi, Deepak Sharma, Kamal Sandhu, Manish Sachdeva, Gauri Shankar Sharma, Sham Malhotra, Mukhtiyar Singh Bhullar, and Kulwant Singh, who distributed educational kits to the children.
Mukhtiyar Singh, Chairman of the Unorganized Workers Union, along with Secretary Dharamvir Jodha and President Khushwant Singh, lauded the initiative as a commendable step towards uplifting underprivileged children. Other members, including Kabal Singh, Praveen Kaur, Santosh, Anju Bala, and Rajni Bala, expressed their appreciation, emphasizing the importance of education for these children.