Bhopal, India – Triveni Sonani begins her day at 9am by opening the gates of Oriya Basti school in Bhopal, welcoming the children of the neighborhood into the classroom for another day of learning. The school’s only teacher settles the children into their spots on old wooden benches or thin mats on the concrete floor, preparing to teach them multiplication under the badly weathered tin roof and half-painted walls. The classroom is filled with the sounds of children reading aloud, mixed with noises from outside like motorbikes revving and vendors calling out their wares.
The community of Oriya Basti has long struggled in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred 40 years ago and left thousands dead and many more with lasting health issues. The school, founded in 2000 by the Sambhavna Trust, serves as a beacon of hope for the children of gas tragedy survivors, offering them a chance at education and a better future.
The students, many of whom attend the school without shoes or slippers, come from families who work as laborers, ragpickers, or vendors, struggling to make ends meet. Despite the challenges they face, the children are eager to learn and build a better life for themselves. The school has educated about 300 children over the years, supported mainly through royalties from a book about the catastrophe and donations from individuals.
For Triveni Sonani, who earns a meager salary and faces limited funding, providing education to the children of Oriya Basti is a labor of love. The school lacks basic amenities like electricity and proper seating, but it remains a cherished institution in the community. Parents hold the school in high regard for the opportunities it provides to their children, who dream of a better future outside of the community.
Despite the hardships they face, the children of Oriya Basti are determined to overcome the legacy of the gas tragedy and build a brighter tomorrow through education and hard work. The school, known as the “barefoot school,” stands as a symbol of resilience and hope in a community that has faced unimaginable challenges.