On International Women’s Day, Bindu’s journey reminds us of an essential truth: when women have access to education, they strengthen far more than their own future. In her village of Bhelwa, in Bihar, Bindu has found her way back to learning—and with it, a new voice and place within her community. Discover her story.
Rediscover the joy of learning
Bindu lives with her husband, Uday Mistri, a daily wage labourer and their four children. Prior to joining Karuna-Shechen’s Non-Formal Education (NFE) classes, Bindu’s life was like any other married women in the community : « My life would revolve 24×7 around my family. With four children around you hardly have time to think about yourself ».
Between household chores and her role as a mother, Bindu’s daily life ended at her doorstep. Lacking time and knowledge, she remained on the sidelines of village decisions. Bindu had heard about non-formal education (NFE) classes from Karuna-Shechen’s social worker, but rejected the idea of studying « at this age ».
Talking about what made her change her mind, Bindu says, « I dropped out from school quite early and was eventually married off at a tender age. With time I lost touch with whatever little I had learnt as a child. But whenever I crossed the NFE centre, I saw women listening to the instructor, or interacting with enthusiasm. They seemed to enjoy the process of learning. All these made me nostalgic about my school days, and I started thinking about joining NFE. My husband was very supportive and encouraged me to start learning again. And so I finally mustered the courage to enroll in the classess » miles Bindu.
Recalling the first few days of her experience, Bindhu shared that she was really nervous for the first 2-3 classes.
« Although I had learnt basic alphabets and numericals in primary school, I had completely forgotten them over the years. So when I joined NFE, I felt really anxious. I was afraid I’ll be laughed at.» When she shared her anxiety with the NFE instructor, the latter encouraged Bindu to keep patience and assured her that things will become easier for her eventually.
Looking back now I feel so happy that I did not give up, that I paid heed to my instructor’s suggestion and continued attending the classes. I would not have been the person I am today, had my fear of learning, of being laughed at, taken control of me.
Literacy as a lever for independence and confidence
Thanks to her knowledge and training, Bindu began dedicating an hour each day helping her children with their studies.
« Within a few weeks, all that I was taught in primary school came back to me. And now I know much more than I had managed to learn during my primary school days; I can read several pages together in one go without much help. I can also do elementary maths like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Now, I make it a point to sit with my children when they study. They have realised that they can no longer give excuses to escape homework » Bindu chuckles.
This seemingly modest engagement has had a significant impact. Assisting her children with their studies provided her with renewed purpose and self-confidence. Bindu shares that earlier she hesitated to speak openly or engage in public settings.
Today, I communicate with greater assurance and can independently manage responsibilities like visiting the bank, filling up forms, and understanding official documents.
In this context, literacy has strengthened not only her practical abilities but also her voice and agency.
Women as agents of collective change
The impact extends beyond her individual growth. Through the collective involvement of women in the NFE centers, social interaction within households has improved and awareness regarding education has increased across the village. As parents, these women have become more attentive to their children’s academic progress. They encourage regular attendance, coordinate with teachers, and share information about educational and welfare initiatives. Bindu has also begun guiding her children on hygiene and cleanliness, reinforcing constructive practices within her household.
My learnings at NFE centre have made me realise that beyond managing households, women contribute actively to children’s education, access government schemes, participate in local decision-making processes, and assume responsibility when collective action is required.
She emphasizes that meaningful change begins with a shift in mindset and a willingness to step forward.
Bindu now hopes to see her village grow through education and mutual support. Her journey demonstrates that learning, even later in life, can change everything. By gaining knowledge and confidence, a woman not only transforms her own life, she becomes a pillar of strength for her family and her entire community.
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In other villages across India and Nepal, women are empowering themselves, passing on their expertise, and reshaping community dynamics. Read their stories and discover how, together, they are driving sustainable change in their environment.