In a Brick Kiln Village, Education Slipped Through the Cracks
In Kaksaha, a remote village in Kultali block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, daily life revolves around brick kilns and migration. Most men work as migrant labourers across states, while women and remaining villagers work in nearby kilns.
With no school nearby and mothers away at work from dawn till dusk, children were dropping out, either joining the workforce or migrating with family, often at a very young age.
“Our village is one of the most backward in Kultali. Every summer, we face water crises. And there’s still no school nearby,” shared Kamla Halder (62).
A Youth’s Spark Sets the Foundation for Change
At a community meeting facilitated by Goonj’s Anup Kumar Mondal, Pradip Halder (25), a local youth inspired by Goonj’s work in neighbouring Pitchkhali, stood up and proposed:
“If other villages can act under Cloth for Work, why not us?”
Motivated by his conviction, the villagers discussed urgent needs, and education topped the list. The idea of building a study centre for children was unanimously accepted.
The only challenge? Land.
Pradip responded by contributing part of his 1 bigha plot for the cause. That gesture ignited a 15-day movement of shared effort.
A Study Centre Takes Shape, Built by Hands, Fueled by Vision
Once the site was decided, the community worked together for 15 days, filling soil, collecting materials from each household, and constructing the community study centre with their own hands.
After construction, Mamoni Halder (23) took the initiative to paint colourful murals and decorate the structure, making it warm, welcoming, and student-friendly.
The centre was inaugurated with pride, a ribbon cut not just for a building, but for a shared future.
Villagers Painting and Decorating the Study Centre
Local Women Step Up to Teach the Next Generation
With no teacher available in the village, the community approached Savita Halder, a resident of a nearby village. Moved by the initiative, she agreed to teach the children.
Mamoni Halder, who works at a local health centre, also volunteered:
“I faced the same issues growing up. I want to give back to the centre, directly or indirectly, always.”
Swapna Halder (30) shared:
“Earlier, I was worried about my children’s education. But now, with our own study centre, I feel hopeful. We want to do even more under CFW.”
Cloth for Work as a Catalyst for Educational Justice
This isn’t just the story of a building, it’s a story of self-led education reform in one of West Bengal’s most underserved pockets. Through Goonj’s Cloth for Work – School to School initiative, the people of Kaksaha didn’t wait for solutions; they built one.
This study centre now stands as a symbol of what happens when communities come together, not just to meet a urgency, but to reimagine their children’s future with dignity, agency, and shared ownership.
Women Volunteers Teaching at the Community Study Centre
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
