Story of Uttarpara
Choya, a tenth-grade student, stepped forward voluntarily amid concerns in Uttarpara—families were worried that their children were spending too much time on mobile phones, teenagers were drifting toward substance abuse, and many students lacked proper guidance in their studies. With a heart full of initiative, she began helping younger children with their lessons after school and encouraged them to come together for study sessions. She also played with them, reintroducing traditional outdoor games so that afternoons were filled with laughter instead of screens. Slowly, her small acts of care began to ripple through the community: children studied more regularly, played outside with joy, and felt inspired by Choya’s example. Choya’s group reduced mobile phone usage by 0.3 hours daily and increased study time by 0.8 hours. Through her voluntary leadership, the spirit of SALT-CLCP came alive in Uttarpara—showing that even a young student can spark hope and change for an entire community.
Sahanara Apa’s journey in Uttarpara unfolded in a unique way. After the SALT conversations, she and her team began by simply playing with children to reduce their dependence on mobile phones. But the real spark came when they were invited to the Knowledge Fair, where they witnessed the inspiring changes happening in Hijlipara, Dokkhinpara, Uttarpara, and Katakhali. Seeing how other communities had taken ownership of their challenges, Sahanara Apa expressed her interest to do the same. Though not highly educated herself, she gathered mothers who could teach, encouraging them to lead. Today, these mothers not only help children study but also play alongside them, creating a space of learning, joy, and connection. Through this collective effort, Sahanara Apa’s team turned concern into action, proving that leadership is not about education level, but about courage and the will to make a difference. And now, Sahanara Apa’s group reduced mobile phone usage by 0.3 hours daily and increased study time by 0.6 hours.
How change looks when the community takes ownership.
ARC Initiative in Byaspur, Gopalganj Supported by Global Fund for Children.
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