Janardan & Suvarna: A Couple’s Mission to Educate Every Child in Their Village

In a village in Maharashtra’s Nashik district live Janardan and Suvarna Thackeray, a couple united by a shared dream: to see every child in their village educated and thriving.

Farming is their primary occupation, and they have a son who is currently in Grade 2. As parents, they understand the importance of involving the community to help children in the village build strong foundational skills for future learning.

This summer, their dream found new meaning through CAMaL Ka Camp — a community-led initiative to help children strengthen their reading and math skills. Driven by their passion, Janardan and Suvarna volunteered for the camp. For them, it wasn’t just a summer activity; it was a chance to serve the children of their village, together.

To manage their time, the couple wakes up early each day, completing their farming and household chores by 9 am, so they can begin the camp sessions on time. They even created their own learning materials — cutting out letters and numbers from cardboard to use in various activities.

At the start of the camp, they assessed the children’s learning levels. They found that some of the children were unable to read simple words or paragraphs — even after five or six years of schooling. This strengthened their belief that children need strong reading and math skills to understand their textbooks and keep up in school.

Each day, the couple leads engaging sessions filled with stories, games, and activities. Learning becomes fun as children eagerly participate, discovering the joy of numbers and the magic of words.

For Janardan and Suvarna, the camp has become a meaningful chapter in their journey. Their dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed — villagers admire their efforts and offer full support.

The children, too, are not just learning — they’re making friends and gaining confidence. Parents are involved and encouraging, cheering their children on as they make progress.

As Suvarna puts it, “Children are our future. Educating them is our responsibility — and so is preparing them to face every challenge that life may bring.”