Field visits help us stay connected to the communities we support!
During a recent visit to Jhargram, organized by Ananya Chatterjee, Mukti Education Program Manager, Liyo met students, teachers, project staff and school leaders, gaining first-hand insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing adolescents in rural communities.
Liyo was present when we conducted the project’s baseline survey, an important first step in understanding students’ perceptions of safety, rights, respect and relationships. Here are her reflections:
“When I arrived in Jhargram, I was eager to discover more about the communities where Mukti Switzerland operates, in partnership with Mukti, and to see first-hand how the Surakha Songlap project was taking shape. Despite the long journey and heavy rain, I immediately felt welcomed by the Mukti team and the local people I met.
The following morning, I visited Manikpara High School. What struck me first was the dedication of the students and teachers. At 7 a.m., classes were already underway, and every classroom we entered was full of focused and respectful students.
The visit gave me a unique opportunity to observe the baseline survey conducted with students who will participate in Surakha Songlap. The questions were very different from the exams they usually take, focusing on values, opinions, safety and relationships rather than academic subjects. Even so, the students approached the exercise with seriousness and attention.
What I found particularly meaningful is the ambition behind the project. Surakha Songlap was created to address a critical issue: many young people lack the essential information, support networks, and safe environments necessary to shield themselves from violence, abuse, early marriage, and exploitation.
Through sports, games, storytelling and guided discussions, the project will empower 200 girls and 150 boys to better understand their rights, consent, gender equality and safeguarding mechanisms. I was especially impressed by the way girls and boys learn together and are encouraged to become active participants in creating positive change within their schools and communities.
Throughout the day, I had the chance to speak with teachers, meet the headmaster, visit the dormitories and learn more about daily life at the school. Despite the language barrier, I could feel the kindness, curiosity and commitment of everyone I met.
One of the strongest impressions I took away was the collaborative relationship between Mukti and the school. Real impact is only possible when teachers, students, families and local institutions work together, and I could clearly see that spirit of partnership in Manikpara.
Although my stay in Jhargram was short, it allowed me to better understand both the challenges and the incredible potential of these communities. I left feeling inspired by the dedication of the students, teachers and Mukti team, and hopeful about the positive impact Surakha Songlap will have on the lives of 350 adolescents in the years ahead.
If I could return, I would love to spend more time there, deepening the connections and continuing to learn from the remarkable people I met along the way.
Thank you to the students, teachers and Mukti team in Jhargram for the warm welcome and their commitment to creating safer and more inclusive environments for young people 💛
Liyo”