In 2024, Misean Cara, a key donor of FMSI, funded the project “Education and Training for Santal Children and Marginalized People” in India, successfully completed in January 2025. Initially launched as a pilot initiative, the project achieved remarkable results and is now being considered for further expansion to reach even more communities in need.
The project addressed severe socio-economic constraints near Talit, West-Bengal, that keep Santal children out of school, despite education being a fundamental right. In general, Santali villages suffer from extreme poverty, poor living conditions, and a lack of access to healthcare and basic services. Most families rely on low-wage agricultural labor for local landlords, living in temporary huts with no stable income. As a result, children are denied education, healthcare, and government support, which, in theory, they should receive as their rights. However, systemic neglect and discrimination—where government assistance prioritizes the Bengali population over tribal communities—leave them further marginalized. Illiteracy is passed down through generations, with many parents unaware of the value of education, reinforcing the cycle of poverty and exclusion.
To combat these barriers, the Marist Brothers brought education directly to six remote villages, targeting children at high risk of social exclusion. The project created accessible, community-based learning environments, ensuring that education reached even the most isolated and neglected children.
Key achievements of the project:
- 180 children acquired literacy and numeracy skills, breaking the cycle of educational deprivation.
- 100 children attended non-formal education for the first time, overcoming socio-economic and geographic barriers.
- 80 youth gained proficiency in Bengali, spoken English, and computer literacy, equipping them with tools for broader participation in society.
- 100 women completed vocational training in tailoring, promoting financial independence and self-sufficiency.
A crucial aspect of the project’s success was its culturally and linguistically inclusive approach. With Santal literacy rates at only 40.5%—even lower for women—education in their native language was critical. Government schools, predominantly Bengali-speaking, exclude many Santal children, contributing to high dropout rates. By employing teachers fluent in the Santal language and culture, the project ensured a trust-based, effective learning experience, giving children an education they could relate to and build upon.
Beyond academics, the initiative emphasized human development, personal growth, and motivation, encouraging children to dream beyond poverty and aspire for a better future. Since most Santal families live in extreme poverty with no proper learning environment, the project created safe spaces for education, fostering self-confidence, dignity, and hope.
The Child Protection Policy Workshop (March 16, 2024) reinforced child safety and well-being in study centers, while the Marist Brothers introduced Effective Teaching Methods to enhance learning outcomes in resource-limited areas.
Since education is a privilege and a key tool to break the cycle of poverty, this project offered Santal children the chance to go to school, meet their basic needs, and develop a positive outlook on life. Having proved its transformative impact, the initiative is now being evaluated for expansion, aiming to reach more villages and provide greater opportunities for the marginalized Santal community.
Through this initiative, the Marist Brothers reaffirm their mission to serve the most vulnerable, ensuring that education is not just a privilege for a few, but a right for all. Though the project has officially concluded, its impact continues to empower children, families, and entire communities, fostering resilience, human dignity, and long-term social change.