In the heart of the Raipur Tea Estate in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, a deeply inspiring story of two sisters Tahari Oraon and Gangi Munda reminds us that education is not only a tool for empowerment, but a legacy that shapes generations.

A Childhood Marked by Loss, a Future Rebuilt Through Sacrifice

Orphaned at an early age, the two sisters were forced into adulthood too soon. The older sibling, Tahari Oraon, gave up her education to support the family. In doing so, she made a conscious decision that would change the course of her sister’s life ensuring that Gangi Munda, the younger of the two, continued her schooling.

Tahari’s selfless act gave Gangi the opportunity to study up to the 9th standard, an uncommon feat in a community where most girls drop out early due to financial constraints or familial obligations. Today, Gangi can read, write, and communicate in both Bengali and Hindi. She sings, writes songs, and serves as a literate voice in a largely underserved area helping neighbors fill out government forms, apply for benefits, and access basic services.

Meanwhile, Tahari continues to be the pillar of her extended family. Besides raising her two children Bibek Oraon (in primary school) and Jivika Oraon (in high school) she also cares for her brother’s daughter, Rebika Munda, a high school student. Gangi’s children, Lucky Munda and Ranbir Munda, both in primary school, also attend Parinaama Development Foundation’s educational center at Bhagat Line.

Learning Where There Was None

For these children, the center offers something more than books it gives structure, dignity, and hope. It introduces a rhythm to their daily lives and a sense of belonging to a space where learning is celebrated.

While the mothers once worked long hours in tea gardens with little exposure to formal education, their children now grow up with access to early learning, regular school attendance, and a nurturing environment supported by Parinaama’s outreach.

Community Leadership and Financial Empowerment

Beyond their roles as mothers, both Tahari and Gangi are active participants in their village’s newly formed 10-member self-help group (SHG). Unlike a previously ineffective SHG they were part of at their parental home, this group is organized, accountable, and focused on improving livelihoods.

Through training sessions and collective decision-making, the SHG now explores initiatives like livestock farming (pigs and poultry) and works to access government subsidies and schemes. They maintain proper record books a sign of the growing financial literacy and ownership among rural women.

These SHGs serve not just as economic units but as safe spaces where women share challenges, support each other, and build leadership skills.

Health Gaps and Nutrition Realities

While education and financial awareness are on the rise, health and nutrition remain major challenges. Both sisters shared that their community typically relies on local pharmacists or visits the nearest health center in case of illness. However, no health awareness camps by either government or non-government organizations have ever been conducted in their area.

There’s awareness around the importance of maternal and child nutrition, but everyday survival takes precedence. Many families struggle to access a stable and nutritious diet. Though some ICDS centers provide nutrition for adolescent girls, this critical service is absent from their village highlighting an urgent gap in public welfare delivery.

Employment and Aspirations

Like many women in tea garden communities, both sisters work as daily-wage laborers with little job security or upward mobility. Despite this, they hold strong aspirations: they want their children to be educated, to have choices, to live lives different from their own.

“Education opens your eyes,” says Gangi. “I can help others because I was allowed to study. My sister never had that chance.”

The difference between literacy and illiteracy is stark in Gangi’s daily experience whether it’s filling out paperwork, reading a medicine label, or singing a song in her own language.

Why These Stories Matter

The lives of Tahari Oraon and Gangi Munda reflect the intersections of gender, poverty, education, and resilience. Their journey is not an exception it’s a mirror of countless women in India’s rural and tribal communities who lead their families with courage and conviction despite limited resources.

At Parinaama, we believe that every woman and child deserve access to education, health, and opportunity. By supporting self-help groups, running learning centers, and documenting these voices, we aim to strengthen the very fabric of rural India.

Because when one girl is educated, an entire community is empowered.

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