I wouldn’t say I lost my childhood, but for many years it was shaped by my father’s failing health and the constant worry of financial hardship. My father, a man of integrity, had served as an officer at TISCO in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Life took a difficult turn when he became too ill to continue working. At just 14 years old, the responsibility of supporting a family of four slowly began to fall on my shoulders.

I continued my schooling while taking up small jobs to help make ends meet. I worked in a garage, gave evening tuitions, and did whatever honest work I could find. There were days I chose to walk long distances to save bus fare and skipped meals so I could afford notebooks. Many times, I felt like giving up. But whenever I saw my father and my younger siblings depending on me, something within pushed me forward. I was not studying merely for a degree; I was studying to survive and to secure a better future for my family.

As my father’s medical expenses increased, the financial pressure grew heavier. There were interruptions in my education, and at times I had to miss school to take up full-time work. It was a period of deep struggle and sacrifice. Despite the hardships, I completed my studies and eventually began working as a full-time school teacher. Once my family regained financial stability, I decided to pursue a larger dream. Today, I am an educator, trainer, and author, committed to using my journey as a source of strength.

The Trust was established with the aim of supporting children from families like mine—where the breadwinner is ill or unemployed and young dreams risk being shattered. It also extends help to elderly widowed mothers and parents who have been abandoned, supports the poor and underprivileged with food and medical assistance, and provides support for girls who lack resources for marriage. The Trust works in several areas, including free coaching for secondary school students, medical aid for elderly and unemployed parents, and skill development programs for struggling families.

When I look back at that 14-year-old child who felt overwhelmed and afraid, I realize that the hardships did not break me; they shaped me. The struggle taught me that education is not only about employment but about empowerment. It is about restoring dignity and creating opportunities for those who may not even have the courage to dream. The Trust is my way of giving back and ensuring that, even in moments of despair, there is always a helping hand and a ray of hope.