Founded by Ranjan Kumar in 2009, Gyanjyoty Academy (of Gyanjyoty Rural Development Welfare Trust) educates children from the poorest outlying villages of Bodhgaya. Most of the families live below the poverty line. Families are large and it is common practise in the region for children to be either working in the fields with their parents or sent begging at the tourist sites of Bodhgaya. Very few of them are given the opportunity to go to school. GRDWT’s mission is to facilitate the bringing of these children into the schooling system.

As of May 2022, the school educates 223 children. The Trust provides these children with writing books, textbooks, pens, pencils and uniforms. During times of need the children are also given medicine, nutritious food (when resources allow), counselling and emotional support. During this year’s cold winter during which so many villagers were severely impacted by Covid-19, GRDWT supplied children and villagers with warm jumpers.

Before the lockdowns associated with Covid-19, Gyanjyoty Academy also housed 28 boarders. Most of these were young boys who were orphaned or from severely impoverished families. Ranjan has not yet been able to reopen the boarding house because of an impactful drop in both his personal income and international donations due to the Covid-19 pandemic but is hoping to do so again in future.

Some of our BDA committee members have known Ranjan for many years and some of us already personally support GRDWT and its good works. Ranjan was himself from a poor family and he knows first-hand how education (and the generosity of a kind soul) can change a life trajectory. His dedication to Gyanjyoty Academy and for helping the underprivileged is truly admirable.