Aaranyak
A Holistic Education Model for Tribal Children
For generations, Adivasi (tribal) communities in Gujarat’s Narmada district have lived in harmony with the forests, their identity deeply tied to the land. The community still remain trapped in cycles of poverty, alcoholism, early marriage, suicides, and teenage pregnancies—disruptions that have stalled their upward mobility and left children especially vulnerable.
Barriers to Education among Tribal Children
- Poor Foundational Knowledge – As first-generation school-goers, many struggle without role models or guidance
- A ‘one-size fits curriculum – textbook based & confined to the classroom does not provide life skills & lacks relevance in tribal settings
- Mental well-being – Exposure to alcoholism, suicides, early marriages & abuse take a toll on children’s mental health, with no structured support to help them process their trauma.
We believe every child is unique, with their own passions, learning styles, and pace of growth. Yet most tribal children struggle to access even basic schooling, let alone quality, child-centred education. Aaranyak was launched in 2018 on a mission to build a sustainable, inclusive model that enables tribal and marginalised children to discover their strengths, nurture their potential, and break out of generational cycles of poverty & inequality.
Current Interventions under Aaranyak
Aamli Timli | Coverage: 3 Aashramshalas
Aamli-Timli creates child-friendly, quality learning spaces. Daily sessions before school hours engage grades 1–5 in activities, games, and puzzles to build foundations in language, numeracy, and environment, while older students join discussions on adolescent awareness, relationships, and leadership.
Adolescent Empowerment | 16 Aashramshalas
Sessions cover life skills, child rights and adolescent protection sessions in for children aged 10-15 years. The programme also guides children to make informed and safe choices while avoiding risky behaviours like early marriages, teenage pregnancies and substance abuse.
Multipurpose Mobile Resource Centre (MMRC)
State-of-the-art bus equipped with with:
- Laptops
- Learning toolkit
- Exhibition panels
- Mobile library
- Tent
- Performance stage
Our work so far.. (2018-2025)
What we did
- Held play-based learning activities in pre-schools (Anganwadis) to spark curiosity
- Facilitated primary school children to build strong foundations in their early years
- Introduced Vanshala in two villages—self-directed learning spaces where children lead their own learning
Building on our learnings, we are soon launching Balghar—a child-led community hub for play, STEAM, life skills, and rights-based learning
Our Reach
children
schools & villages
pre-schools (Anganwadis)
Gram Panchayats
Balghar Programme (launching soon)
An open, safe, child-led space that will blend STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), life skills, and play-based projects connected to daily life—fostering curiosity, ownership, and lifelong learning.
A distinctive feature of Balghar is child governance -children will form committees on various themes while facilitators will provide resources and guidance. Balghar will complement government Anganwadis and schools by offering early childhood experiences and holistic development. In doing so, it will build confidence, problem-solving, leadership, and rights awareness—skills essential for children to see themselves as equal stakeholders and the foundation for child-friendly communities.
Balghar will complement existing education systems by nurturing life skills, creativity, and confidence—preparing children to thrive within & beyond the classroom.
Activities
- Library & Learning Hub: Books and digital tools to build reading habits, strengthen Foundational Literacy/Numeracy (FLN) and exposure to new ideas.
- Play & Creativity Zone: Games, sports, art, and crafts that foster creativity, teamwork, and self-expression through structured and free play.
- Kitchen Garden & Open Space: A “living classroom” for nutrition, sustainability, and environmental care through hands-on learning.
- A secure, inclusive space—especially for vulnerable children—that ensures protection, trust, and consistent care.
- Engagement Before & After School: Baldost facilitators will offer academic support in FLN, life skills, and counselling for a safe daily routine.
- Resource Centre for Youth/Teachers: A help desk for scholarships, entitlements, and digital processes, easing access for families while building teachers’ capacity to use Balghar resources.
