Rising from the Margins: Pranali’s Quest to Transform Tribal Futures

In rural Maharashtra, Pranali Jadhav 's journey embodies resilience and dedication. Born into poverty, where her family's survival relied on rag-picking, she has overcome extreme challenges, including gender discrimination, to create opportunities for herself and others. With a strong educational background, including work with UNICEF India and studies at Tata Institute of Social Sciences , she established her own NGO Ovee Trust with her partner. Neha Gujar captures what she witnessed at Pranali's site Yavatmal, rural Maharashtra.

Pranali founded Balanagari, a joyful learning space for children, where education goes beyond textbooks and integrates play and creativity. It serves as a sanctuary for children from nomadic tribal communities, who often face barriers to education due to their parents’ unstable livelihoods and systemic neglect. Balanagari provides a safe, inclusive environment, empowering these children to embrace education as a tool for a brighter future.

Her innovative teaching methods prioritize love and care, ensuring that every child feels valued. Pranali’s family actively participates in her mission, highlighting that learning is a shared experience. She emphasizes the importance of compassionate teacher-leaders who can create safe spaces that foster curiosity and belonging, nurturing resilience and hope among marginalized youth.

Pranali’s journey inspires others, showing that transformation is possible regardless of one’s circumstances. Looking ahead, she aims to establish a teaching Fellowship to cultivate a network of young leaders within local communities, expanding her vision of creating more Balanagaris. By focusing on quality education in government schools, her initiative will empower new teacher-leaders to uplift their communities and enrich the lives of even more children.

If you believe in the power of local leadership and want to drive change in your community like Pranali, TFIx is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort. Join us in cultivating the next generation of leaders who will transform lives and communities from within.         

Application Link: https://www.tfaforms.com/5068385

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